Festive Chestnut and Bacon Pasta for Your Holiday Dinner

Rich, savoury, and deeply aromatic: This festive chestnut bacon pasta is the definition of cozy winter comfort. With smoky bacon, buttery chestnuts, and a medley of herbs and spices, it’s a simple yet elegant dish that perfectly fits any holiday dinner table. A touch of brandy brings warmth and sophistication, making this pasta both rustic and refined – ideal for entertaining or for a quiet evening by the fire.

Hey, folks – I hope you all are doing well!

Today I’m sharing this chestnut and bacon pasta – a festive, flavour-packed recipe that highlights the heart of the season. Combining chestnuts, rosemary, sage, nutmeg, and a splash of brandy, this dish captures the spirit of winter cooking: comforting, fragrant, and effortlessly delicious.

Why You’ll Love This Festive Chestnut Bacon Pasta

• Festive and cozy: This festive chestnut bacon pasta brings together classic holiday ingredients – chestnuts, nutmeg, herbs, and brandy – for a truly celebratory winter dish.
• Aromatic and flavourful: Bacon adds smoky depth, while rosemary, sage, and nutmeg lend beautiful warmth and fragrance.
• Quick yet elegant: Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for entertaining without stress.
• Seasonal charm: Chestnuts and herbs make this winter chestnut pasta recipe feel special and timeless, ideal for a holiday dinner or cozy weeknight meal.

Flavour and Texture Profile

This festive chestnut and bacon pasta with rosemary and sage is the ultimate cozy-meets-elegant dish. The bacon’s chewy edges and smoky aroma contrast beautifully with the tender, buttery chestnuts. The herbs – rosemary and sage – infuse every bite with that unmistakable wintry, festive fragrance. Nutmeg adds just a warming touch, while the brandy ties it all together with a soft, velvety finish.

The pasta itself absorbs the flavours of the bacon and herbs, creating a lightly glossy sauce that coats each strand perfectly. It’s a dish that feels both simple and special – rich enough for a holiday Christmas dinner, yet rustic comfort that defines the season.

Ingredients You’ll Need for This Festive Pasta with Bacon and Chestnuts

Although this festive Christmas chestnut bacon pasta is already delicious, you can make it even more exciting by customizing:

• Pasta: Spaghetti, linguine, or your favourite shape – something that holds a light, buttery sauce well.
• Bacon: Provides smoky richness and crisp texture; pancetta works beautifully too.
• Chestnuts: Buttery, nutty, and slightly sweet, they balance the saltiness of the bacon and herbs.
• Onion or shallots: Add a subtle sweetness and depth to the base.
• Garlic: Essential for aromatic intensity and savoury richness.
• Sage and rosemary: Create the perfect festive flavour blend – earthy, herbal, and slightly piney.
• Olive oil: Enhances flavour and prevents the bacon from drying as it crisps.
• Nutmeg: Adds warmth and complexity, complementing the chestnuts.
• Salt and pepper: Balance the dish – remember, bacon already adds plenty of salt.
• Brandy: Optional but highly recommended for a sophisticated, warming note.

Possible Additions and Variations

• Make it creamy: Add a splash of cream or mascarpone for a richer sauce.
• Vegetarian version: Skip bacon and add sautéed mushrooms and extra chestnuts.
• Add citrus: A touch of lemon or even orange zest brightens the richness.
• Cheese topping: Finish with freshly grated Parmesan for extra savoury depth.

If if love this festive chestnut bacon pasta, be sure to check more similar ideas, such as Festive Pasta with Butternut Squash and Chestnuts, Festive Chestnut Sausage Pasta with Brandy and Pancetta, or Chestnut and Prosciutto Pasta with Rosemary.

I’d love for you to try this recipe for Festive Chestnut and Bacon Pasta. If you give this recipe a go, please share your results in the comments, message me on Instagram, or post your photos with the hashtag #havocinthekitchen. I look forward to seeing your creations and hearing your thoughts!

Cheers!

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Festive Chestnut and Bacon Pasta for Your Holiday Dinner

Recipe by Ben | Havocinthekitchen

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: Christmas, Festive Mains, Pasta and Gnocchi

Servings

2-4

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

20

minutes

A cozy and festive chestnut bacon pasta with herbs, nutmeg, and brandy – a simple yet elegant winter pasta perfect for your holiday dinner.

Cook Mode

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Ingredients

• 250-300 gr. spaghetti or other pasta of your choice

• 150 gr. bacon, diced

• 150-200 gr. chestnuts, crumbled.

• 1 medium onion or 2-3 shallots, minced

• 2-3 garlic cloves, minced

• 7-10 sage leaves, minced

• 1/2 tbsp. minced rosemary

• a little drizzle of olive oil

• a good grating of nutmeg

• salt and pepper, to taste

• a few good splashes of brandy (optional)

Directions

• Bring a pot with salted water to a boil and cook the pasta as per package’s instructions, until al dente (or even a few seconds less).
• In a meantime, make the sauce. There are two ways to cook bacon. If you prefer crisp and browned bacon, follow the step 2 first. If you prefer it softer, like in my photos, skip to the step 3. For the crisp bacon, cook it in a frying pan with a little drizzle of olive oil over medium high heat for 4-5 minutes until crispy. Once the bacon is crisp, remove it from the pan using a slotted spoon, leaving the oil and bacon grease behind. Then cook the garlic, onion, and herbs for 5 minutes followed by the chestnuts. At the end, just before stirring in the pasta, return the bacon.
• For the softer bacon, heat a little drizzle of olive oil and cook the onions and garlic over low medium heat, 5 minutes, until soft.
• Add the bacon, rosemary, and sage. Season with a grating of nutmeg, salt and pepper. Increase heat and cook for about 7-10 minutes.
• Add the chestnuts and toss for 2-3 minutes. At the end, add a few splashes of brandy (optional) to deglaze the pan and bind all the flavours.
• When pasta is ready, reserve a cup of its water and drain. Add the drained pasta into a pan and gently stir. Let it cook for a minute or so, adding the reserved pasta water, as needed. Try and season more, if necessary. Enjoy right away!