Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet or pan, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
Sauté Garlic: In the same pan, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Add Olive Oil: Drizzle in the olive oil and stir to combine with the bacon fat and garlic.
Cook Pasta: Add the uncooked pasta to the pan, followed by the chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, about 9.0 minutes.
Make it Creamy: Once the pasta is cooked, reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and black pepper. Mix until the cheese has melted and the sauce is creamy.
Season to Taste: Taste for seasoning and add salt if needed. If you’re using spinach, fold it into the pasta at this point and cook for another minute until wilted.
Combine Everything: Stir in the crispy bacon, reserving some for garnish if desired, and mix well to combine all the flavors.
Serve: Remove from heat and let it sit for a minute to thicken before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.