Pasta with Smoked Bacon Sauce

Pasta with smoked bacon sauce is a flavorful dish that combines the richness of bacon with the intense flavor of cheese and the slight acidity of tomato. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

• 350 g of pasta (penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti)
• 200 g of smoked bacon
• 400 g of tomato puree
• 1 small onion
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 100 ml of cooking cream (optional)
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Pecorino Romano or other cheese to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Preparation

1. Begin by dicing the smoked bacon and finely slicing the onion and garlic.
2. Heat a frying pan with a drizzle of oil and sauté the onion until it becomes translucent. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until golden.
3. Add the bacon to the pan and let it brown until it becomes crispy and releases its fat.
4. Pour the tomato puree into the pan and mix well. If you desire a creamier sauce, you can add the cooking cream at this moment. Let the sauce cook on medium-low heat for about 10-15 minutes, until it thickens. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to instructions until the desired doneness (al dente is preferable).
6. Drain the pasta, reserving some of the cooking water, and add it to the pan with the sauce. Mix well to flavor the pasta, adding some of the cooking water if necessary to soften and blend the sauce.
7. Serve the pasta hot, sprinkled with grated cheese and, if you like, garnish with some chopped fresh parsley.

Curiosity

Smoked bacon is often the star of traditional Italian recipes, especially in central Italy where it is commonly used to flavor sauces and condiments. If you want to add an extra touch to the dish, you can add a pinch of chili pepper for a spicier variant or finish with aromatic herbs such as rosemary during the cooking of the sauce.