Now this bacon tomato pasta is definitely one of the easiest recipes I’m sharing. With only 5 main ingredients, and less than 10 steps to follow, it makes the perfect simple dinner. All while being super tasty!
Now I can’t actually take much credit for this recipe, as it is a dish I learnt from my partner. This bacon tomato pasta is a dinner we have been making for a few years now, but I thought it was finally time for me to share it!
Key Ingredients
- Aromatics are onion and garlic to help build the base for the flavour of this bacon tomato pasta, adding a sweet and savoury depth to the dish. The onion is finely sliced to blend in with the pasta, and the garlic is crushed for optimal flavour.
- Bacon brings a salty and umami punch. In New Zealand typically bacon comes in a ‘streaky form’, marbled with fat. I fry the bacon so it gets a nice crispy texture, and renders out all its fatty goodness. Then saute the aromatics in the fat for optimal flavour.
- Tomato paste is used rather than a sauce, as this pasta is not on the saucy side. Tomato paste brings depth to the flavour, and caramelises lightly with the aromatics for optimal flavour. Pasta water is added towards the end to allow the tomato paste to spread and coat the spaghetti.
- Seasonings are simply garlic powder and onion powder. Salt is not needed for this dish as the bacon is already plenty salty. The garlic and onion powders help enhance the aromatics flavour.
- Pasta of choice for this bacon tomato pasta is going to be spaghetti. This is what we have always used, spaghetti is perfect for allowing the bacon and aromatics to entwine with the noodles. Other options could be spirals or lasagna noodles.
- Parmesan, I am a parmesan girly at heart. If I’m adding cheese to almost anything there’s going to be parmesan involved. Sprinkling parmesan on top gives the pasta a slightly salty, nutty, flavour.
How to make this simple and delicious bacon tomato pasta
Cook the pasta.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil with oil and salt. Cook pasta to packet instructions, reserve half a cup of pasta water afterwards.
Get your fresh ingredients ready.
Prepare your ingredients by cutting the bacon into small pieces, and finely dicing the brown onion.
Fry the bacon and render the fat.
Add the bacon to a deep pan on medium-high heat with oil. Cook the bacon until the fat renders out and it has a nice light golden crust. If you prefer the bacon extra crispy, cook for longer.
Saute the aromatics.
Remove the bacon from the pan and set aside. Add the onion to the pan with the bacon fat. Saute until the onion begins turning translucent, then add crushed garlic.
Create the bacon tomato pasta base.
Once the onion and garlic is slightly caramelised, the tomato paste goes into the pan. Stir and let cook for a couple minutes, to rid the bitterness from the tomato paste.
Seasoning and pasta time.
Season with garlic powder and onion powder. Then pour in the reserved pasta water. Give everything a good mix.
Complete the bacon tomato pasta.
Return the bacon to the pan, and add the pasta. Toss so that the pasta is coated in the sauce and the bacon has been mixed throughout.
Time to eat.
Top with parmesan cheese, serve, and enjoy!
Storage
This is a perfect dinner to make in large batches for leftovers. Allow the bacon tomato pasta to cool to a lukewarm/room temperature, then place in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. This is great for leftover dinner or a lunch to take to work.
What to serve with the bacon tomato pasta
This dish is definitely not superrrr healthy, it is not unhealthy but does lack some vegetables. If you are wanting to add some freshness to your plate, I would suggest serving with a side of green beans or broccolini.
More cozy recipes:
- Brie and Bacon Gnocchi
- Leek and Bacon Orzo
- Camembert Bacon Wedge Bake
- Tomato Pesto Pasta
- Mince and Cheese Pie
- Potato Top Sausage Rolls
- Pork and Leek Lasagna
- Steak Rice Bowls
Alrighty, you should now have everything you need to know to make this easy and delicious bacon tomato pasta. So come on, let’s grab these few ingredients and get to cooking a yummy meal. You do not want to miss out on this one.
Bacon Tomato Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 250 g bacon
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 350 g pasta spaghetti
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- Parmesan cheese to preference
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil with oil and salt. Cook pasta to packet instructions, reserve half a cup of pasta water afterwards.
- Prepare your ingredients by cutting the bacon into small pieces, and finely dicing the brown onion.
- Add the bacon to a deep pan on medium-high heat with oil. Cook the bacon until the fat renders out and it has a nice light golden crust. If you prefer the bacon extra crispy, cook for longer.
- Remove the bacon from the pan and set aside. Add the onion to the pan with the bacon fat. Saute until the onion begins turning translucent, then add crushed garlic.
- Once the onion and garlic is slightly caramelised, the tomato paste goes into the pan. Stir and let cook for a couple minutes, to rid the bitterness from the tomato paste.
- Season with garlic powder and onion powder. Then pour in the reserved pasta water. Give everything a good mix.
- Return the bacon to the pan, and add the pasta. Toss so that the pasta is coated in the sauce and the bacon has been mixed throughout.
- Top with parmesan cheese, serve, and enjoy!
