This delicious Jamie Oliver Bacon Tomato Pasta is a quick and comforting meal that’s packed with savory flavors. The crispy bacon, sweet tomatoes, and creamy Parmesan make this dish irresistible. You can easily swap in your favorite pasta and enjoy a simple, satisfying dinner any night of the week.
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🧡 Why You’ll Love This Bacon Tomato Pasta Recipe:
- Easy to Find Ingredients: This recipe uses simple ingredients that you probably already have at home. It’s easy to get started without a special trip to the store.
- Quick to Make: You can make this tasty pasta in just about 30 minutes. It’s perfect when you need a fast dinner on busy evenings.
- Delicious Taste: The bacon is crispy, and the sauce is full of flavors from onions, garlic, and tomatoes. It tastes wonderful.
- You Can Change It Up: You can add different vegetables or use another kind of pasta if you like. This recipe is very flexible.
- Great for Everyone: Everyone in the family will enjoy this pasta, from kids to adults. It’s a good choice for a family dinner.
🍅 Jamie Oliver Bacon Tomato Pasta Ingredients
- 160 g (5.6 oz) spaghetti or your preferred long-strand pasta
- 1 tsp olive oil (or you can use butter as an alternative)
- 150 – 180 g (5.3 – 6.3 oz) bacon, diced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 onion, finely diced (brown, white, or yellow)
- 400 g (14 oz) canned crushed tomatoes
- Salt and pepper to taste
- A pinch of sugar (if needed, to balance the acidity of the tomatoes)
- Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
- A handful of parsley, finely chopped, for garnish
- Parmesan cheese as you like, for sprinkling
🍝 How To Make Jamie Oliver Bacon Tomato Pasta
- Cook the Pasta: First, cook the spaghetti according to the instructions on the package. While the pasta is cooking, you can start preparing the sauce.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a skillet, heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Add the diced bacon, minced garlic, and diced onion. Cook these ingredients over medium heat until the bacon is golden and the onion becomes translucent. This usually takes about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Add Pasta Water: Before draining the cooked pasta, reserve a mug of pasta water. Add half a cup of this reserved water to your skillet and let it simmer for about 5 minutes. This helps to create a sauce that will coat the pasta evenly.
- Add Tomatoes and Simmer: Add the canned crushed tomatoes to the skillet. Let everything simmer together for another 5 minutes, then reduce the heat to low. This simmering allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Transfer the cooked and drained pasta directly into the skillet. Gently toss the pasta with the sauce to coat every strand evenly. Cook together for about 2 minutes. If the sauce seems too thick, adjust the consistency by adding a bit more pasta water.
- Season and Serve: Season the dish with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle over some finely chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese. Finish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Serve this hearty pasta dish hot and enjoy!
đź’ Recipe Tips
- Cook the bacon until it’s crispy: Before you add other ingredients, cook the bacon by itself until it’s just how you like it. This way, it stays crispy in the sauce.
- Keep some pasta water: Don’t forget to keep a cup of the water from cooking the pasta. When you add this water to your sauce, it helps make the sauce thicker and stick to the pasta better.
- Let the sauce cook for a while: After you put the tomatoes in the pan with the bacon, onions, and garlic, let it all cook together for at least 5 minutes. This makes the sauce taste better because the flavors mix well.
- Add salt and pepper while you cook: Try the sauce after you put in the tomatoes, and add a little salt and pepper if you need to. Do this again after you mix the pasta with the sauce. Adding seasoning step by step makes the whole dish taste better.
- Use fresh parsley and good olive oil: Sprinkle fresh parsley on your pasta to make it look and taste fresh. Adding a bit of high-quality olive oil at the end makes the pasta richer and tastier.
🥗 What To Serve With Bacon Tomato Pasta?
Bacon Tomato Pasta pairs well with a crisp green salad, steamed broccoli, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables. It can also be served alongside sautéed spinach, grilled asparagus, a light bean salad, or zucchini noodles for a delicious meal.
🎚 How To Store Leftovers Bacon Tomato Pasta?
- In The Fridge: Keep leftover bacon and tomato pasta in a sealed container for up to 3 days.
- In The Freezer: Freeze leftover bacon and tomato pasta in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
🥵 How To Reheat Leftovers Bacon Tomato Pasta?
- In The Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the pasta in an oven-safe dish, sprinkle a little water over it, cover with foil, and heat for about 10-15 minutes.
- In The Microwave: Put the pasta in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a lid or plastic wrap, and heat for 1-2 minutes on high, stirring halfway through.
- On The Stovetop: Reheat the pasta in a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of water or extra tomato sauce to keep the pasta moist and stir until heated through.
FAQs
Can I Use A Different Type Of Pasta For This Recipe?
Yes, you can use any long-strand pasta like linguine or fettuccine instead of spaghetti.
What Type Of Bacon Works Best For This Recipe?
Thick-cut smoked bacon is recommended for its flavor and texture, but any type of bacon you prefer will work well.
What If I Don’t Have Crushed Tomatoes?
You can use diced tomatoes instead and crush them a bit with a spoon while cooking, or use tomato puree for a smoother sauce.
How Do I Prevent The Pasta From Sticking Together?
Stir the pasta occasionally while it’s cooking, and make sure the water is salted and boiling before adding the pasta.
Can I Prepare This Pasta Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can cook the sauce in advance and refrigerate it. Reheat the sauce while cooking the pasta, then combine as instructed.
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Jamie Oliver Bacon Tomato Pasta Nutrition Facts
- Calories 118
- Total Fat 2.9g
- Saturated Fat 0.8g
- Sodium 160mg
- Total Carbs 18g
- Net Carbs 17g
- Dietary Fiber 1g
- Total Sugars 2g
- Protein 6g