Put down the plain pasta and bring on the flavour with this yummy bacon and tomato recipe. The rich saltiness of the bacon combined with the natural sweetness of the tomato is a match made in culinary heaven.
Loosely based on the Italian Amatriciana, this is a recipe worth keeping on repeat. There’s hardly any preparation involved, which makes it a great one to rely on for a midweek dinner when you’re short on time but still want something everyone will actually eat.
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Ingredients
- 250g bacon bits
- 1 tin of chopped tomatoes
- Basil leaves
- Salt and pepper
- 1 packet of pasta, e.g. shells or penne
- Parmesan, grated
Method
- Gently fry the bacon bits until they are starting to brown.
- Add the tin of tomatoes and a few basil leaves, bring to the boil then simmer for 15–20 minutes. Meanwhile, start the pasta water.
- Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the packet.
- Drain the pasta and add it to your bacon and tomato sauce, stirring to coat.
- Serve with grated parmesan and a green salad on the side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of tinned?
Yes, though tinned chopped tomatoes give a more consistent, saucy texture with very little effort. If you’d rather use fresh, simply peel, chop and cook them down a little longer to soften.
What can I use instead of bacon bits?
Diced streaky bacon, pancetta or a good-quality smoked lardon all work well if you can’t find pre-cut bacon bits — just dice them small before frying.
Is this recipe freezer-friendly?
The bacon and tomato sauce freezes well on its own. Cook and cool it fully before freezing, then defrost and reheat thoroughly before tossing through freshly cooked pasta.
Can I make it a bit lighter?
Yes — a splash of low-fat cream or a spoon of crème fraîche stirred through at the end will add richness if you want it, but the recipe is just as tasty without it.
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Looking for more easy family dinners? Try These Yummy Bacon and Sweetcorn Muffins are a Savoury Treat — a fun savoury bake that’s great for lunchboxes as well as dinner tables, or browse our full collection of quick family recipes for more midweek dinner inspiration.
Save This Recipe for Later
If tonight isn’t pasta night, bookmark this one or save it to your recipe folder — it’s the kind of dish that’s handy to have on standby for busy evenings.
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Have you tried this yummy bacon and tomato recipe? Leave a comment below and let us know — we’d love to hear how it went down at your dinner table!
