In my opinion, one of the best things about bacon is the leftover bacon grease. It is a great way to get many uses out of a product and save money, and also add a huge amount of flavor to any meal. This smoky, savory fat is excellent for cooking things that need a little extra oomph, flavor-wise.

I love making homemade pasta, which usually calls for a bit of olive oil. This time, I used liquid bacon fat instead, for a super-savory and yummy result. This flavorful pasta pairs great with the robust crunch of roasted corn on the cob and delicate shrimp.

Check out this website for information on how to make homemade pasta. Their recipe is pretty easy and foolproof - I don't even use a pasta maker, just roll it out by hand when I have enough time and patience for it. Instead of olive oil, just substitute the same amount of bacon grease. If you want some extra bacon flavor, cook your bacon extra crispy, break it down into little bits, and incorporate a small amount into the pasta dough.

Bacon Pasta with Shrimp & Corn

• Homemade pasta substituting bacon grease for olive oil
• 1 pckg bacon
• 2-4 ears corn on the cob
• 1/2 pound shrimp, raw
• 3-4 cloves garlic or 6-8 garlic scapes
• 3/4 cup half and half
• 1/4 cup broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2-3 tbsp bacon grease or butter
• Fresh chives or parsley for garnish, if desired

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Lay out bacon on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, flip, and bake for another 10 minutes, or until your desired level of crispiness is achieved. Drain the bacon grease for further use. Once the bacon is cool, break it into small pieces.
3. Brush corn with butter or bacon grease, wrap in foil and bake at 400 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until tender. Remove kernels from the cob when cool enough to touch.
4. Mince the garlic or garlic scapes, and add to pan with 1 tbsp butter or bacon grease. Cook on medium-low under tender.
5. Add the half and half, broth, and salt and pepper to the garlic, and cook on low, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Blend if you want to incorporate the garlic more.
6. Meanwhile, thaw shrimp and remove tails.
7. Heat 1 tbsp butter or bacon grease in a pan. Cook shrimp until no longer translucent, 5-7 minutes.
8. Cook pasta according to instructions.
9. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl, mixing well to combine. Use just enough sauce so that the pasta absorbs it. Garnish with fresh-cut parsley or chives if desired.