Instructions: Cook pasta and drain well, reserving 1/3-cup of the cooking water. Return pasta and reserve water to the cooking pot to keep pasta warm.

Peel the asparagus and cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces.

Heat olive oil in large saute pan over medium heat. Add bacon and garlic and saute for about 5 minutes until bacon is beginning to crisp. Add asparagus and red pepper; saute for an additional 5 minutes or until asparagus is crisp-tender. Remove from heat.

Toss vegetables into hot pasta; then toss in the parsley and salt and pepper to taste.

Serve hot with cheese sprinkled over the top if desired.

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