Smoky Bacon Tomato Pasta
Jazzed up with cherry tomatoes and Parmesan for a smooth creamy finishing touch. This pasta is anything but boring, in fact it is sensational.
Ingredients
- 7 ounces pasta shells or orecchiette
- 7 ounces smoked bacon bits
- 9 ounces cherry tomatoes
- 2 ounces grated Parmesan more for serving
- 2.5 ounces tomato paste
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- red chili flakes for serving
- toasted pine nuts for serving
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling, generously salted water. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking water.
- Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium high heat. Add olive oil and butter. When the butter is melted, add bacon. Cook until crispy and golden brown, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes. Add black pepper, cook for 1 minute more. Season with salt, oregano and smoked paprika. Lower the heat and stir in tomato paste, cook for 1 minute.
- Add cherry tomatoes and garlic, cook about 2 minutes or until the tomatoes start to burst. Press on the back of the tomatoes with a wooden spoon to release their juices and stir to combine. Add ½ cup of the pasta cooking water, bring to a boil.
- Toss with pasta and parsley. Remove from heat. Add parmesan, stir until smooth and glossy. Add more cooking water if needed.
- Divide pasta among bowls, sprinkle with chili flakes and toasted pine nuts. Serve with extra Parmesan. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Calories: 664kcalCarbohydrates: 92gProtein: 25gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 1424mgPotassium: 974mgFiber: 6gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 2088IUVitamin C: 38mgCalcium: 317mgIron: 4mg
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