This tomato bacon pasta is quick and easy to make and would make a perfect busy weeknight dinner for the family or a date night. This dish is simple and only requires a few steps; it is ready under 30 minutes and is utterly delicious.
Easy tomato bacon pasta recipe
Pasta dishes are a go-to option for many busy families, including mine. When time is of the essence, I turn to delicious quick pasta recipes that do not only take less than 30 minutes to make but also deliver on flavor.
Pasta with tomato sauce, when cooked correctly, doesn't disappoint. I have a few variations of these quick tomato pasta recipes you should check out after making today's tomato bacon pasta recipe. Gnocchi with tomato sauce, Ricotta pasta, Tomato basil pasta, Spaghetti arrabbiata, sausage fennel pasta and mascarpone pasta.
Related recipes: how to make bacon bits, bacon ranch chicken pasta, brussels sprouts with bacon and bacon-wrapped chicken breast.
Why you will love this recipe
- It is budget-friendly: This pasta dish is a fantastic way to incorporate veggies and protein into your diet without breaking the bank. Feed your family for less with this flavorful and delicious pasta dish.
- Delicious flavor combination: The sweet tanginess of the tomatoes perfectly balances out the salty crunch of the bacon, creating a burst of deliciousness in every bite.
- Versatile and easily customizable: This pasta dish can be easily customized to suit your preferences. You can add mushrooms, spinach, chicken, smoked sausage or chorizo.
- A simple, straightforward cooking process requiring only a few ingredients. This recipe is as easy as it gets, making it perfect for a quick dinner option.
What you will need
Pasta: I used linguine for this recipe, but you can use any other thin-shaped pasta of choice: spaghetti, spaghettini, fettuccine, bucatini, and the like. Fusili or Penne pasta will work well for this recipe too.
Canned cherry tomatoes: I love to use this because of the extra tomato juice that comes with it. Substitute with fresh cherry tomatoes or canned chopped tomatoes.
Streaky bacon: This is the star of this dish. Ensure to get use quality bacon. Substitute with pancetta, smoked sausages or chorizo.
Garlic
Parmesan cheese: This is optional but highly recommended for all-round flavor.
Fresh basil leaves: this is the king of all herbs and it complements tomatoes beautifully.
Olive oil: Substitute with any flavorless oil you prefer.
Italian seasoning: Substitute with mixed herbs (UK) or Herbs De Provence.
Red pepper flakes
Salt and black pepper
Pasta water
How to make tomato bacon pasta
Cook the bacon: place a skillet on medium-high heat, add olive oil to the pan and swirl around the pan. Add chopped bacon and cook for 5-6 minutes or until slightly golden brown but not fully browned. The bacon will continue to brown as you cook the aromatics.
Cook the pasta: While the bacon is cooking, boil the pasta. In a large pot, add water and bring it to a boil. Add salt and linguine and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
Prepare the sauce: In the same skillet with bacon, add chopped onions and cook until soft, fragrant and translucent. Add chopped garlic and cook for 10 seconds.
Carefully pour the canned cherry tomatoes into the pan and stir to combine while scraping the bottom of the skillet to release any browned bits.
Season with salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Reduce the heat and stir to combine and simmer for 8-10 minutes.
Add grated parmesan cheese to the tomato sauce, stir to combine so it melts, and carefully smash the tomatoes as you stir.
Add fresh basil and stir to combine.
Lastly, add the cooked pasta to the tomato sauce and some of the reserved pasta water (a little at a time) and stir to combine until the pasta is well coated in the sauce. Add more pasta water if needed for a thinner consistency.
Take it off the heat, serve with garlic bread, and enjoy!
Tips and variations
- Customize this dish to taste: make it spicy by adding more red pepper flakes than the recipe specified.
- Make it creamy: stir in half a cup of mascarpone, cream cheese, or heavy cream to the tomato sauce for a richer and creamier texture.
- Make it veggie-packed: add spinach, mushroom, frozen mixed veg or peas to the tomato sauce for an extra serving of veggies.
Watch how to make it
How to store
Tomato bacon pasta makes an excellent and satisfying leftover. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge.
More simple pasta recipes you should try next
Easy Tomato Bacon Pasta
Ingredients
- 200 g pasta I used linguine
- 400 g canned cherry tomatoes
- 250 g streaky bacon Cut into small pieces
- ½ cup onion chopped
- 3 garlic garlic cloves chopped
- ½ cup parmesan cheese grated
- Fresh basil leaves
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- ½ Tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt and black pepper
- 1 cup pasta water
Instructions
- Place a skillet on medium-high heat, add olive oil to the pan and swirl around the pan. Add chopped bacon and cook for 5-6 minutes or until slightly golden brown but not fully browned. The bacon will continue to brown as you cook the aromatics.
- While the bacon is cooking, boil the pasta. In a large pot, add water and bring it to a boil. Add salt and linguine and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- In the same skillet with bacon, add chopped onions and cook until soft, fragrant and translucent. Add chopped garlic and cook for 10 seconds.
- Carefully pour the canned cherry tomatoes into the pan and stir to combine while scraping the bottom of the skillet to release any browned bits.
- Season with salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Reduce the heat to low, stir the sauce to combine and simmer for 8-10 minutes.
- Add grated parmesan cheese to the tomato sauce, stir to combine so it melts, and carefully smash the tomatoes as you stir.
- Add fresh basil and stir to combine.
- Lastly, add the cooked pasta to the tomato sauce and some of the reserved pasta water (a little at a time) and stir to combine until the pasta is well coated in the sauce. Add more pasta water if needed for a thinner consistency.
- Take it off the heat, serve with garlic bread, and enjoy!
Notes
- Customize this dish to taste: make it spicy by adding more red pepper flakes than the recipe specified.
- Make it creamy: stir in half a cup of mascarpone, cream cheese, or heavy cream to the tomato sauce for a richer and creamier texture.
- Make it veggie-packed: add spinach, mushroom, frozen mixed veg or peas to the tomato sauce for an extra serving of veggies.
- Substitute canned cherry tomatoes with one and a half cups of fresh cherry or grape tomatoes.
Nutrition
Nutritional data: Please note that the nutrition label provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. It will vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. Under no circumstances will thedinnerbite.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.
And there you have it, a simple and delicious chicken recipe you can make at home in 20 minutes. As always, if you made this recipe, I would love to hear from you! Kindly rate the recipe 5 stars and leave me feedback in the comment section below. Tag me @thedinnerbite on Instagram and save it to your Pinterest. Please subscribe to the blog if you haven’t for free new recipes in your inbox.
Cathy Hurley says
Brilliant dish however you have omitted the onions from the ingredients list
Ajoke says
Aw, thank you, Cathy. I have updated the recipe card accordingly. I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe.