Classic Tomato
Bacon Pasta
A quick and savory weeknight favorite, this pasta features crispy bacon and fresh tomatoes simmered into a rich, flavorful sauce that clings to every strand.
Tomato and bacon pasta is a quintessential comfort dish that balances the smoky, salty depth of cured bacon with the bright acidity of fresh tomatoes. This simple yet satisfying recipe relies on the emulsion of rendered bacon fat and tomato juices to create a glossy, flavorful coating for the noodles, making it an ideal choice for a delicious meal made in minutes.
Ingredients
- 200 g pasta
- 100 g bacon
- 200 g fresh tomatoes
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp tomato sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- to taste salt
Instructions
- 1Boil the pasta
Bring a pot of water to a boil and add a pinch of salt. Add the dry pasta to the boiling water and cook for 8 minutes until al dente.
Tip: Keep an eye on the pasta to ensure it retains a slight chew, as it will continue cooking in the sauce later. - 2Prepare the bacon
Place the bacon strips on a cutting board and cut them into small, bite-sized pieces. This ensures they cook evenly and distribute well throughout the pasta dish.
Tip: Using kitchen shears can make cutting bacon faster and cleaner than using a knife. - 3Fry the bacon
Add the chopped bacon pieces to a hot pan. Fry over medium heat until the bacon is browned and crispy, rendering out its fat.
Tip: The rendered bacon fat adds significant flavor to the base of your sauce. - 4Sauté the tomatoes
Add the chopped tomatoes to the pan with the fried bacon. Sauté until the tomatoes begin to soften and release their juices.
Tip: Pressing down on the tomato pieces helps them break down faster into a sauce consistency. - 5Season the sauce
Pour the soy sauce, tomato sauce, and a pinch of sugar into the pan. Stir well and cook until the sauce thickens and the flavors meld together.
Tip: Adjust the sugar based on the sweetness of your tomatoes to balance the acidity. - 6Add pasta to sauce
Transfer the drained, cooked pasta directly into the pan with the bubbling tomato and bacon sauce.
Tip: Add a splash of pasta cooking water if the sauce becomes too thick while tossing. - 7Toss and finish
Toss the pasta continuously over medium heat for another minute until the sauce reduces, emulsifies, and clings perfectly to every strand.
Tip: If the sauce looks too thick, add a small splash of pasta water to help it emulsify and coat the noodles better.
