Creamy Spicy Tomato Bacon Pasta
Elevate your weeknight dinner with this indulgent Creamy Spicy Tomato Bacon Pasta. This sauce pulls inspiration from the classic Amatriciana but adds a rich twist with velvety cream and fresh herbs. With crispy bacon and a hint of heat from chili flakes, it strikes the perfect balance of flavors. It's not only a comforting dish but also a great way to use common pantry and fridge staples, making it a go-to recipe for busy evenings. Serve it over your favorite pasta for a satisfying meal that will impress your family and friends!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Olive oil
2 tablespoons (None)
Onion
1, chopped (Chopped)
Garlic
2 cloves, crushed (Crushed)
Bacon
6 slices, diced (Diced)
White wine
1/2 cup (None)
Dried red chili pepper flakes
to taste (None (I used about 1/2 teaspoon))
Tomato sauce
700 ml jar (None)
Water
1/2 cup (None)
Chicken stock powder
1 teaspoon (None)
Cream
1/2 cup (None (I used light cream))
Fresh basil
1 tablespoon, chopped (Chopped)
Fresh parsley
2 tablespoons, chopped (Chopped)
Fresh ground black pepper
to taste (None)
Instructions
1
In a heavy-based frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat until shimmering.
2
Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
3
Stir in the diced bacon and crushed garlic, cooking for an additional 5 minutes or until the bacon reaches your desired level of crispiness.
4
Pour in the white wine and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly, allowing the flavors to meld.
5
Mix in the dried chili flakes, followed by the tomato sauce, water, and chicken stock powder. Stir well to combine.
6
Reduce the heat and let the sauce simmer gently for about 15 minutes, allowing it to thicken and the flavors to develop.
7
In the final minutes, stir in the cream, fresh basil, and parsley, and season with fresh ground black pepper to taste.
8
Reheat gently without boiling, then serve immediately over your choice of pasta, such as spinach and cheese tortellini for an added flavor punch.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Spicy Tomato Bacon Pasta?
It is an indulgent weeknight pasta dish inspired by classic Amatriciana, featuring a rich sauce with bacon, chili flakes, and cream.
What kind of pasta is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe suggests serving the sauce over spinach and cheese tortellini for an added flavor punch, but any favorite pasta will work.
How long should I sauté the onions?
Sauté the chopped onions for about 5 minutes until they become softened and translucent.
Can I make this pasta dish vegetarian?
Yes, you can omit the bacon and use vegetable stock powder instead of chicken stock powder to make it vegetarian.
What can I use as a substitute for white wine?
You can substitute white wine with chicken broth or a splash of water with a little lemon juice for acidity.
Is this recipe very spicy?
It has a hint of heat from dried red chili flakes. You can adjust the amount to your preference; the recipe suggests about 1/2 teaspoon.
Can I use light cream instead of heavy cream?
Yes, light cream works well for this recipe and provides a velvety texture without being overly heavy.
What is the inspiration for this sauce?
The sauce pulls inspiration from the classic Italian Amatriciana but adds cream and fresh herbs for a richer twist.
How long does the sauce need to simmer?
After adding the tomato sauce and stock, let it simmer gently for about 15 minutes to allow the flavors to develop and the sauce to thicken.
How do I prevent the cream from curdling?
Add the cream at the end of the cooking process and reheat the sauce gently without letting it come to a boil.
Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh basil and parsley?
Yes, but use a smaller amount (about one-third of the fresh measurement) as dried herbs are more concentrated.
How much bacon is required?
The recipe calls for 6 slices of bacon, which should be diced before cooking.
Can I use chicken broth instead of water and stock powder?
Yes, you can replace the 1/2 cup of water and 1 teaspoon of chicken stock powder with 1/2 cup of liquid chicken broth.
How should the garlic be prepared?
The recipe requires 2 cloves of garlic that have been crushed.
Is this a good recipe for a busy weeknight?
Absolutely, it is designed as a quick meal that uses common pantry and fridge staples, making it ideal for busy evenings.
Can I add extra vegetables to the sauce?
Yes, mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach would be great additions to this creamy tomato base.
How should I serve the final dish?
Serve the sauce immediately over your choice of pasta and garnish with fresh ground black pepper.
What if I do not have olive oil?
You can use any neutral cooking oil or butter to sauté the onions and bacon.
Can this recipe be made gluten-free?
Yes, simply use gluten-free pasta and ensure your chicken stock powder is certified gluten-free.
How should I reheat leftovers?
Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or milk if the sauce has thickened too much in the fridge.
Can I use canned diced tomatoes instead of tomato sauce?
You can, but the texture will be chunkier. For a smooth sauce, use a jar of tomato sauce or passata as specified.
What does the white wine add to the recipe?
The white wine helps deglaze the pan and adds a layer of acidity and depth that balances the richness of the bacon and cream.
Is this dish suitable for families?
Yes, it is a comforting and satisfying meal that generally appeals to both adults and children, though you may want to reduce the chili for kids.
How many garlic cloves are used?
The recipe uses 2 crushed cloves of garlic.
Can I use pancetta instead of bacon?
Yes, pancetta is an excellent substitute for bacon and is actually more traditional for Amatriciana-style sauces.
What happens if I boil the sauce after adding the cream?
Boiling the sauce after adding cream can cause it to separate or curdle, so it is best to only reheat it gently.
Should I add salt to this recipe?
The bacon and chicken stock powder usually provide enough salt, so it is recommended to taste the sauce before adding any additional salt.
What is the best pan to use for this recipe?
A heavy-based frying pan is recommended for even heat distribution while sautéing and simmering.
Can I use heavy whipping cream?
Yes, heavy whipping cream will make the sauce even thicker and more indulgent than light cream.
Is this an authentic Amatriciana recipe?
No, it is a variation. Traditional Amatriciana does not include cream, garlic, or herbs like parsley, making this a 'creamy twist' on the classic.