Description
This Bacon Pasta with Tomato Pasta Sauce is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring al dente spaghetti tossed in a savory tomato sauce enriched with crispy bacon, garlic, and onions. The sauce is simmered with canned crushed tomatoes and seasoned perfectly with salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar to balance acidity. Finished with fresh parsley and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, this easy-to-make pasta recipe is ideal for a satisfying weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta and Sauce
- 160 g (5 oz) spaghetti or other long strand pasta of choice
- 1 tsp olive oil (or butter)
- 150–180 g (5–6 oz) bacon, diced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 onion, finely diced (brown, white, or yellow)
- 400 g (14 oz) canned crushed tomato
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Pinch of sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
For Garnish
- Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
- Finely chopped parsley
- Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Gather and line up all ingredients so they are ready to use simultaneously, ensuring a smooth cooking process.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions but reduce the time by 2 minutes to ensure it is slightly undercooked as it will finish cooking in the sauce.
- Cook Bacon, Garlic, and Onion: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over high heat. Add diced bacon and cook for about 1 minute until it starts to brown. Add the minced garlic and diced onion, cooking together for 3 minutes or until the onion becomes translucent and the bacon is golden. Drain excess fat if you prefer a less greasy sauce.
- Deglaze Skillet: Reserve a mug of pasta cooking water. Pour about 1/2 cup of this hot water into the skillet and bring it to a simmer, stirring and scraping up any flavorful bits stuck to the bottom of the pan.
- Add Tomato Sauce: Stir in the canned crushed tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Let cook for about 2 minutes on medium-high heat to meld the flavors.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Drain the pasta (or use tongs to transfer it directly from the pot to the skillet if timed correctly). Toss the pasta gently in the sauce with two wooden spoons for 2 minutes, allowing the sauce to coat the strands evenly. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little more of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.
- Season: Taste and season with salt and pepper, remembering that the bacon adds saltiness already. Add a pinch of sugar if necessary to balance the tomato acidity.
- Serve: Plate the pasta immediately. Garnish with finely chopped parsley, freshly grated Parmesan cheese if using, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for added flavor and richness.
Notes
- Note 1: The pinch of sugar helps balance the acidity of the tomato sauce but is optional depending on taste.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
- When cooking bacon, draining excess fat can reduce greasiness without sacrificing flavor.
- Serve the dish immediately for best freshness and texture.
- Use fresh parsley and good quality extra virgin olive oil for optimal garnish flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: bacon pasta, tomato pasta sauce, spaghetti with bacon, easy pasta recipe, quick dinner, Italian pasta, comfort food
