There are a few things that keep me from being a vegetarian. One – steak. Two – bacon. There’s lots more, but I’m just trying to keep it simple, since it is the end of a holiday weekend here. But actually now that I look at it, it should read One – bacon, Two-steaks. Because really bacon is number one. Numero uno.
And you know what’s even better than just bacon? If your bacon has the words “house cured” somewhere in it’s title. This stuff is amazing. It’s bacon the way it’s supposed to be.
So, when I Heart Cooking Clubs said that this week would be Better with Bacon, they might as well have sent me an engraved invitation. So, let’s see the rules are, it has to be Bittman and it has to be bacon, okay…if you insist. What I found was a classic pasta dish, Pasta all’Amatriciana, which proves with just a few ingredients you can have an amazing dinner (especially if one of those ingredients is bacon). I found this gem in The Best Recipes in the World by Mark Bittman.
Pasta all’Amatriciana
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 T. extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup (about ¼ pound) minced pancetta, guanciale, or bacon
- 1 pound linguine or other long pasta
- ½ cup grated pecorino Romano cheese
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 2 cups chopped tomato (canned is fine)
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
In a skillet, brown the bacon in the olive oil (if you think you need the oil – I didn’t). Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon. In the bacon fat left behind (hmmm…bacon fat), saute the onion over medium heat until softened. Turn off the heat and let it cool a bit. Stir in the tomatoes and turn the heat to medium. Cook the sauce, stirring every so often, while you cook the pasta. When the pasta is done, drain it and add it to the tomato mixture, toss with the bacon and the cheese.
Serves 4
This will be my entry for I Heart Cooking Clubs!
and
This will be my entry for this week’s Presto Pasta Nights hosted by Helen of Fuss Free Flavours .
And guess what peeps??? Next week I’m hosting Presto Pasta Nights, so start your pasta water boiling and let the party begin!!!
Chris says
God that looks great! Where'd you get that bacon?
caroline says
MMMM. Bacon! I love(d) bacon but now I don't eat meat so just staring at these pictures make me die a bit inside.
saveur says
That is a gorgeous, original shot of your pasta! Love it!
Tins and Treasures says
Oh...I love steak and bacon too. Especially bacon! It is good for breakfast, lunch, dinner, in salads, sandwiches, and pasta too...I will have to try your recipe. I hope it turns out as good as yours looks!
Have a fabulous Friday. ~Natalie
Ruth Daniels says
I'm with you on all counts - love bacon, love steak, love Bittman, love pasta all Amatriciana. Thanks for sharing with Presto Patsa Nights...and even more for hosting next week.
Joanne says
Pasta all'Amatriciana is the best. And house cured. Maybe the "best" best.
Antoinette says
Yeah.... bacon kept me from going vegetarian for years. Don't miss it much anymore, though -- just miss the idea of it.
grace says
'better with bacon' = most obvious statement ever. gorgeous noodle-age, pam.
Julie says
Hmm...I wonder where one acquires house cured bacon. Either way, looks delish!
Chef Fresco says
Thanks for keeping up with us while we were gone! This dish looks delicious. Michael absolutely loves bacon (and pasta). We will have to try this one soon!
Les says
I love bacon/pancetta in my pasta. Regarding the meat, I say 1) steak 2) burgers 3) bacon
maybelle's mom says
yum, yum, yum.
Kim says
I agree with you, Pam. Bacon is the king! So glad to have you with us this week at IHCC. The pasta looks fantastic.
Nancy says
Love it - simple and satisfying. Unfortunately I'm scouring the food blogs for company tomorrow night that do not eat any kind of meat during the week. But maybe just this time..
Pierce says
I was just telling Girlichef how much I love pasta and bacon...great combo. Love your post!
Cinnamon-Girl says
Bacon and pasta - two of the most delicious things I know! Pasta is definitely on the menu for this week!
Terri says
You are absolutely right about bacon... I could never be a vegiterian just because of it's existance! That pasta dish looks amazing. I'll have to make it sometime because I know my kids will eat it.
Debinhawaii says
A wonderful pick for bacon week! I am craving a big plate of it right now. OK, I need a pasta dish for next week since you are the PPN host. 😉
Lynda says
I love bacon, and I love easy. I've got to try this!
gibknitty says
your post made me smile. i am a vegetarian, but admit that bacon always smells good.
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Grace says
ok. that is my dinner plan for the weekend...yum. by the way, bacon is the ingredient for the recipe challenge for the Food Network Magazine this month...I'm just sayin'...if anyone could come up with a great bacon dish, you could! ( Also, this reminds me how much I have in common with that dog on the Beggin Strips comercial running through the house...."bacon, bacon, I love bacon, give me bacon" Yep, pretty much me.)
Grace says
ok, this is my meal for the weekend! Bacon , by chance, is the ingredient for The Food Network Recipe Contest in this months magazine....I'm just sayin'....if anyone could play around with bacon and come up with a great recipe you could! (Also, thinking about bacon makes me think how much I am like that dog on the Beggin Strips comercial...."Bacon, bacon, give me bacon...I love bacon" Yeah....pretty much me.
Amy says
It's been well documented that the reason I stopped being a vegetarian was, yep, bacon. It just makes everything better.
Barbara says
You are so funny, Pam. And so right about bacon! It makes everything better. I love your pasta all'Amatriciana; such a simple dish with so many flavors.
Marjie says
So when you hear those ads for the doggy treats, you leap up and run to the fridge, yelling, "Bacon, bacon, bacon, bacon!"? This looks great.
girlichef says
He is the total minimal genius, isn't he!? This looks awesome =)
Mo 'Betta says
mmmmm, you had me at BACON! Sounds awesome!
Betsy from Tennessee says
Hi Pam, I heart BACON also!!!!! AND--I could never be a vegetarian either.... I love most all kinds of meats--including steaks and sausage .... NOW--you know why I have a weight problem. ha ha
Your pasta dish sounds so good... Thanks for the recipe.
Hugs,
Betsy
Mary says
This is a wonderful pasta dish. I mean, how can you go wrong with bacon. I also love your version of this classic dish. Have a great day. Blessings...Mary
Peter M says
I'm with you, life's too short to give up steak or bacon...pile it on!
chellebelle says
yuuuummmmmm, It's too hot to want food right now... and I want that.
Lea Ann says
Is there anything that smalls better than onion cooking in bacon fat??? This pasta looks really good Pam. And yes, I agree about the house cured thing. It's the best. Thanks for this recipe.
Chanel11 says
This is right up my husband's alley 🙂
Big Dude says
Looks delicious. When I was a kid Mom made a bacon based pasta sauce - haven't thought about it in years. I'm like you about bacon, if I could only eat one meat, it would be the one. I'm lucky enough to be able to drive 10 miles to Benton's Country Hams (and bacon) for some of that "bacon the way it should be" - it's hard to believe it could be so different (better).
Bella Rum says
Oh, my! Pasta and bacon??? I love both of them. It sounds simple too.