Easy Tomato Bacon Pasta
Melted Cheese

A quick, comforting tomato and bacon pasta coated in a savory-sweet soy-ketchup sauce, finished with a melting slice of cheese.

Ingredients

• 200 g spaghetti
• 4 slices bacon
• 1 large tomato
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tbsp light soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp sugar
• to taste black pepper
• 1 slice processed cheese or cheddar
• for garnish fresh parsley

Instructions

1. 1Prepare the garlic

   

   Place garlic cloves into a manual food chopper and pulse until finely minced. This ensures the garlic releases maximum flavor when sautéed in butter.

   Tip: If you dont have a chopper, simply use a chefs knife to mince the garlic as finely as possible.
2. 2Cut the tomatoes

   

   Take a whole, fresh tomato and cut it into bite-sized chunks on a clean cutting board. These chunks will soften and form the base of the pasta sauce.

   Tip: Try to cut the tomato into uniform pieces so they cook evenly in the pan.
3. 3Slice the bacon

   

   Slice the bacon strips into small, uniform pieces using a sharp knife. Cutting them into smaller pieces allows the bacon fat to render quickly and distribute flavor throughout the pasta.

   Tip: Slightly chilling the bacon before slicing can make it easier to cut into precise pieces.
4. 4Boil the pasta

   

   Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil and add the dry spaghetti. Cook the pasta for 8 minutes until it reaches an al dente texture, then remove it from the water.

   Tip: Add a pinch of salt to the water to season the pasta while it boils.
5. 5Melt the butter

   

   Place a piece of butter into a frying pan over medium-high heat. Use chopsticks or a spatula to move the butter around until it is fully melted and ready for the aromatics.

   Tip: Keep the heat medium-high so the butter melts quickly without burning.
6. 6Sauté the garlic

   

   Add the previously minced garlic to the melted butter in the pan. Sauté the garlic until it becomes fragrant and turns a light golden color.

   Tip: Watch the garlic closely, as it can burn very quickly once it starts to brown.
7. 7Sauté the bacon

   

   Add the prepared bacon pieces into the pan with the aromatic garlic. Sauté the bacon over medium heat until it is lightly browned and the fat has rendered, ensuring it develops a savory base for the pasta sauce.

   Tip: Crisping the bacon slightly before adding the liquid ingredients helps deepen the flavor of the final sauce.
8. 8Add the tomatoes

   

   Incorporate the tomato chunks into the pan with the bacon and garlic. Sauté until the tomatoes begin to soften and release their juices, forming the foundation of the sauce.

   Tip: Using ripe tomatoes will provide a richer flavor and better texture to your sauce.
9. 9Season the base

   

   Add a dollop of ketchup and a spoonful of light soy sauce to the tomato and bacon mixture. Stir well to combine all the flavors, allowing the ketchup to provide a slight tang and body to the sauce.

   Tip: The combination of ketchup and light soy sauce creates a balanced sweet and savory umami flavor profile.
10. 10Simmer the sauce

    

    Pour enough hot water into the pan to reach the level of the ingredients. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing the flavors to meld together as the liquid reduces into a flavorful sauce.

    Tip: Adding hot water rather than cold keeps the cooking temperature consistent.
11. 11Final seasoning

    

    Sprinkle half a spoonful of salt and one spoonful of sugar into the simmering sauce. Stir well to ensure the seasonings are fully dissolved and incorporated into the tomato base.

    Tip: Adjust the salt and sugar according to your personal taste to achieve the perfect sweet-savory balance.
12. 12Combine with pasta

    

    Gently fold the boiled pasta into the pan with the prepared tomato sauce. Stir continuously over medium-high heat, ensuring the pasta is thoroughly coated with the sauce until it is reduced to the desired consistency.

    Tip: Tossing the pasta in the sauce helps the noodles absorb the flavors thoroughly.
13. 13Season and finish the pasta

    

    Once the pasta is added to the sauce, stir thoroughly over medium-high heat to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to reduce. Finally, sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper to add a spicy aromatic finish to the dish.

    Tip: Reduce the sauce until it is thick enough to coat the noodles evenly without being too runny.

Storage & Reheating

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions