Spicy Bacon Tomato Pasta
A quick and easy pasta dish featuring crispy bacon and tangy tomatoes, perfect for family dinners and cozy gatherings.
Ingredients
Pasta Ingredients
- 12 oz Pasta (your choice of spaghetti, penne, or fusilli)
Main Ingredients
- 6 slices Bacon (thick-cut recommended) For crispy goodness
- 4 cups Fresh Tomatoes (chopped) Canned tomatoes can also be used
- 4 cloves Garlic (minced) Adds depth to the sauce
- 1 medium Onion (diced) Yellow onion for sweetness
- 1 tsp Red Pepper Flakes Adjust to taste
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil For flavor enhancement
- Salt and Black Pepper Essential for seasoning
- Fresh Basil (for garnish) Highly recommended, but optional
Instructions
Cooking Pasta
- Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
Sizzling Bacon
- In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove bacon and let drain on a paper towel, leaving drippings in the pan.
Sautéing Aromatics
- In the same skillet, add diced onion and minced garlic to the bacon fat and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Creating the Sauce
- Stir in chopped tomatoes, seasoning with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 8-10 minutes until tomatoes break down.
Combining Ingredients
- Return crispy bacon to the skillet. Mix in the drained pasta and a splash of reserved pasta water to help sauce cling. Toss until well coated.
Serving
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil and additional red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
Substitute turkey bacon for a lighter option. Add spinach or zucchini for extra veggies. Consider a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness or stir in cream for a creamy sauce.