Recipe Highlights
Tomato Bacon Pasta is a type of dependable recipes you’ll attain for if you need one thing comforting, fast, and filled with taste. Crispy bacon builds the savory base, tomatoes add brightness, and pasta water brings every thing collectively right into a cohesive sauce that coats each strand.
- Quick and weeknight-friendly – Prepared in about half-hour with minimal prep
- Massive taste, easy substances – Bacon, tomatoes, garlic, and onion do all of the work
- Gentle but satisfying – No cream, only a well-balanced tomato sauce
Should you love simple pasta dishes, strive my Napolitan (Japanese Ketchup Spaghetti), Traditional Mentaiko Pasta, and Miso Butter Pasta with Tuna and Cabbage recipes subsequent!
Elements for Tomato Bacon Pasta
- spaghetti
- canned tomatoes – complete, diced, or crushed, with juice
- applewood smoked bacon
- onion
- garlic
- pink chili pepper flakes
- further virgin olive oil
- salt and freshly floor black pepper
- parsley
- Parmigiano-Reggiano or Parmesan cheese
Discover the printable recipe with measurements beneath.
Easy methods to Make Tomato Bacon Pasta
- Prep substances. Cube the onion, mince the garlic, chop the parsley, and lower the bacon into ¼-inch items so every thing is prepared earlier than you begin cooking.
- Cook dinner the pasta. Cook dinner the spaghetti al dente in a big pot of salted boiling water, reserve some pasta cooking water, and drain.
- Render the bacon. Warmth the olive oil in a skillet over medium warmth and cook dinner the bacon till evenly browned and crispy on the perimeters.
- Construct the sauce. Cook dinner the onion, garlic, and pink chili pepper flakes, then season with black pepper and add the tomatoes with their juice. Add reserved pasta water and simmer uncovered till the sauce thickens barely.
- Toss and serve. Style and season once more with salt and black pepper. Add the spaghetti and toss to coat. Sprinkle within the parsley and serve topped with freshly grated cheese.
Nami’s Recipe Ideas
These easy suggestions will assist you to make Tomato Bacon Pasta each time.
- Salt the pasta water properly. That is the one likelihood to season the pasta itself, and it makes an enormous distinction within the last taste.
- Save the pasta water. The starchy liquid helps loosen the sauce and bind it to the noodles.
- Undercook the pasta barely. The spaghetti finishes cooking within the sauce, so pull it a few minute early.
- Season the sauce boldly. Be sure the sauce tastes sturdy earlier than including the pasta so the flavors don’t get diluted.
- Time it effectively. If every thing is prepped, you possibly can raise the pasta straight from the pot and add it on to the sauce.
Variations and Customizations
Seeking to change issues up? Strive these simple and attractive concepts!
- Use pancetta as a substitute of bacon. It provides a milder pork taste with out smokiness.
- Add extra warmth. Enhance the pink chili pepper flakes or end with chili oil.
- Change the pasta form. Penne or rigatoni work properly with the chunky sauce.
- Add greens. Toss in spinach or arugula on the finish for freshness.
- Strive a special cheese. Grated Pecorino Romano can be scrumptious.
What to Serve with Tomato Bacon Pasta
This pasta works year-round and pairs simply with mild sides.
Storage and Reheating Ideas
To retailer: As soon as Tomato Bacon Pasta has cooled to room temperature, retailer it in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 2 days.
To reheat: Reheat gently in a skillet over medium warmth with a splash of water to loosen the sauce. Stir incessantly till warmed by means of.
FAQs
Can I make this forward of time?
Tomato Bacon Pasta is finest loved recent, however leftovers preserve properly for as much as 2 days within the fridge. The sauce thickens because it sits, so add a splash of water when reheating to revive the feel.
Do I would like to make use of complete tomatoes?
No. Complete, diced, or crushed canned tomatoes all work properly. Use what you have got—the hot button is simmering the sauce till it thickens and tastes well-seasoned earlier than including the pasta.
Why do I would like to order pasta water?
Pasta water comprises starch that helps the tomato sauce cling to the noodles. Including a small quantity creates a easy, cohesive sauce with no need cream or butter.
Can I make this much less spicy?
Sure. Merely cut back or omit the pink chili pepper flakes. The pasta will nonetheless be flavorful due to the bacon, tomatoes, garlic, and onion.
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To Put together the Elements
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Finely cube ½ onion: Place it cut-side down and make ¼-inch horizontal cuts towards the foundation, then vertical cuts, and at last slice crosswise for an excellent cube.
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Reduce the leaves off a few sprigs parsley and finely chop them. Put aside for garnish.
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Reduce 4 slices applewood smoked bacon into ¼-inch items. Mince the garlic or use a garlic press.
To Cook dinner
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Deliver a big pot of water to a boil. Add 1½ Tbsp Diamond Crystal kosher salt and 8 oz spaghetti. Cook dinner till al dente, about 1 minute shy of totally cooked. Whereas it is cooking, put together your sauce (skip forward beneath) so it is prepared for the pasta.When the pasta is prepared, reserve ¼ cup cooking water. Drain the spaghetti and put aside; alternatively, if you happen to time your sauce prep proper, you may switch the spaghetti from the pot to your tomato bacon sauce with tongs.Nami’s Tip: Be sure you undercook the pasta barely, as it should proceed to cook dinner when added to the sauce.
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Whereas the pasta is cooking, warmth a skillet on medium warmth. When it is scorching, add 1 Tbsp further virgin olive oil and 4 slices applewood smoked bacon. Cook dinner till simply browned, about 3–5 minutes.
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When the bacon is crispy on the perimeters, add the onion.
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Mince 2 cloves garlic (I exploit a garlic press) and add it to the pan together with ½ tsp pink chili pepper flakes. Scale back the warmth to medium low and cook dinner, stirring incessantly, till translucent.
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Add freshly floor black pepper and 1 can complete peeled or crushed tomato and juice.
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Add ¼ cup pasta cooking water to the sauce and stir. Simmer, uncovered, for five minutes or till barely thickened. Style and season with extra salt and black pepper, as wanted.Nami’s Tip: Be sure the sauce has good sturdy taste, as including the pasta will dilute the style a bit.
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Switch the spaghetti to the sauce and toss to coat.Nami’s Tip: The pasta will proceed to cook dinner right here, which is why we undercook it a bit within the boiling water.
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Sprinkle in a few of the chopped parsley and toss.
Energy: 714kcal, Carbohydrates: 96g, Protein: 23g, Fats: 27g, Saturated Fats: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fats: 4g, Monounsaturated Fats: 13g, Trans Fats: 1g, Ldl cholesterol: 29mg, Sodium: 324mg, Potassium: 800mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 889IU, Vitamin C: 31mg, Calcium: 109mg, Iron: 4mg
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Editor’s Observe: This submit was initially printed on January 23, 2012, and republished on January 28, 2026, with new photographs and a barely revised recipe.