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Pasta with Tomato, Bacon, and Onion

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on November 13, 2011

Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Pasta with Tomato, Bacon, and Onion

Ingredients

6 slices bacon, chopped1 onion, chopped fine1 garlic clove, minced½ teaspoon red pepper flakes 2 (14.5-ounce) cans diced tomatoes Salt 1 pound spaghetti or linguine¼ cup chopped fresh parsley leaves

Before You Begin

Top with grated Romano or Parmesan cheese if desired.

Instructions

  1. Bring 4 quarts water to boil in large pot. Cook bacon in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until crisp, about 5 minutes. Transfer bacon to paper towel-lined plate and pour off all but 2 tablespoons fat. Add onion to skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add tomatoes and simmer until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.
  2. Add 1 tablespoon salt and pasta to boiling water and cook until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, drain pasta, and return to pot. Add tomato sauce, parsley, and cooked bacon to pot and toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water as needed. Season with salt. Serve.
Pasta with Tomato, Bacon, and Onion

Pasta with Tomato, Bacon, and Onion

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

6 slices bacon, chopped
1 onion, chopped fine
1 garlic clove, minced
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 (14.5-ounce) cans diced tomatoes
Salt
1 pound spaghetti or linguine
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley leaves

Ingredients

6 slices bacon, chopped
1 onion, chopped fine
1 garlic clove, minced
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 (14.5-ounce) cans diced tomatoes
Salt
1 pound spaghetti or linguine
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley leaves

Ingredients

6 slices bacon, chopped
1 onion, chopped fine
1 garlic clove, minced
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 (14.5-ounce) cans diced tomatoes
Salt
1 pound spaghetti or linguine
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley leaves

Why This Recipe Works

Any busy cook will appreciate our Pasta with Tomato, Bacon, and Onion recipe, which uses just one dish and takes just 30 minutes to prepare. This recipe calls for canned tomatoes, but fresh tomatoes can easily be added if they are in season. Watching the garlic closely as it cooks prevents it from burning.

Before You Begin

Top with grated Romano or Parmesan cheese if desired.

Instructions

  1. Bring 4 quarts water to boil in large pot. Cook bacon in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until crisp, about 5 minutes. Transfer bacon to paper towel-lined plate and pour off all but 2 tablespoons fat. Add onion to skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add tomatoes and simmer until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.
  2. Add 1 tablespoon salt and pasta to boiling water and cook until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, drain pasta, and return to pot. Add tomato sauce, parsley, and cooked bacon to pot and toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water as needed. Season with salt. Serve.

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