Best Italian Style Bacon Tomato Toss Recipes

PASTA WITH BACON, TOMATOES AND SPINACH

Steps:

• Cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt.
• Meanwhile, cook and stir bacon in large skillet on medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from skillet with slotted spoon; drain on paper towels. Discard all but 1 Tbsp. drippings from skillet. Add garlic to reserved drippings in skillet; cook and stir 1 min. Add tomatoes and dressing; cook and stir 2 min. or until heated through.
• Place spinach in colander. Pour pasta with cooking water over spinach; drain well. Add to tomato mixture in skillet; mix lightly.

BUCATINI WITH ONION, BACON, AND TOMATO

Steps:

• Drain the canned tomatoes; save all the juices. Cut each tomato in quarters lengthwise; slice the quarters in strips, 1/2 inch wide.
• Start heating 6 quarts of water with 1 tablespoon of salt in a large pot, to cook the bucatini.
• Put 1/2 cup water in the wide skillet, and set it over medium-high heat. Dump in the sliced onions; spread them out and turn them over in the pan as the water starts to boil. Cook the onions, turning occasionally, for several minutes, until they're softened and the water is nearly evaporated.
• Pour the olive oil over the onions, toss in the crushed garlic cloves, and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Stir well to coat all the onion slices with oil; cook for a couple of minutes or more, until onions and garlic are sizzling.
• Clear a space on one side of the skillet and scatter in the cured pork (guanciale, pancetta, or bacon). Heat and stir in the hot spot until they're rendering fat and sizzling, then stir in with the onions. Sprinkle the peperoncino in the pan, stir, and let everything cook for 4 or 5 minutes, until the onions and pork are caramelized and golden-adjust the heat so nothing burns.
• Now spill all the sliced tomatoes and their juices into the skillet, and stir well. Rinse the tomato containers with a couple cups of "slosh" water, and stir that in too; season with salt lightly. Bring the sauce to a boil, stirring frequently, and then lower the heat to keep it simmering actively. Let the sauce cook and thicken for about 20 minutes, or until it has the consistency you like for pasta. (If you're pressed for time, concentrate the sauce at a boil, stirring frequently.)
• When the tomatoes have been added and the sauce is simmering, you can start cooking the bucatini. (If you prefer, prepare the sauce ahead of time. Stop cooking when nearly thickened and let it cool. Return it to the simmer as your pasta cooks.)
• With the water at a rolling boil, slide the bucatini into the pasta pot, letting the strands soften so they don't break, and fanning them out so they don't stick together. Stir well, cover the pot to bring the water back to the boil over high heat, then cook partially covered.
• Stir the bucatini occasionally, and check doneness frequently. When the sauce has thickened, taste it and adjust seasoning-keep in mind that the Pecorino Romano will add salt.
• When the bucatini are cooked through but still al dente, lift them from the cooking pot with tongs, drain for just a moment, then drop them right onto the simmering sauce. Toss together continuously, over moderate heat, for a couple of minutes, until the pasta is perfectly cooked and evenly coated with sauce. If the dish is dry, ladle in a bit of hot pasta water from the cooking pot. If the sauce is soupy, toss over higher heat to concentrate.
• Turn off the heat, and toss in the grated cheese. Drizzle over it a final flourish of olive oil, and serve, either directly from the skillet or in a warm serving bowl, passing additional cheese at the table.

ITALIAN BACON AND TOMATO RISOTTO

Steps:

• Cook bacon and onions in large skillet on medium heat until bacon is crisp, stirring occasionally; drain.
• Add next 5 ingredients; mix well. Bring to boil. Simmer on low heat 5 min.
• Stir in 3 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese. Remove from heat. Let stand, covered, 5 min. before serving. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.

BACON AND TOMATO PASTA

Steps:

• In a large stock pot, boil 3 quarts of water, when boiling add 2 tablespoons kosher salt and the pasta and cook until the pasta is al dente.
• In a large saute pan over medium heat, add bacon and saute until bacon is crispy. Remove bacon to drain on a paper towel-lined plate and remove 3/4 of the bacon fat from the pan. Add extra-virgin olive oil, onions, and red chili flakes. Cook until onions are translucent, add garlic, cook for 2 minutes then add tomatoes. Saute for 5 minutes, then deglaze with wine.
• Drain pasta and add to the tomato mixture pan. Add basil and bacon. Toss with Parmesan, and add salt and pepper, to taste.

BACON-TOMATO-SPINACH RAVIOLI TOSS

Steps:

• In 5-quart Dutch oven, cook ravioli as directed on package; drain and return to Dutch oven. Meanwhile, on microwavable plate, microwave bacon 30 to 45 seconds on High until crisp.
• Add bacon, spinach, tomatoes and dressing to ravioli. Cook over medium heat until warmed and spinach is partially wilted. Sprinkle with pepper.

SPINACH AND BACON PASTA TOSS

Steps:

• Cook noodles as directed on package. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water.
• Meanwhile, heat dressing in large skillet on medium heat. Add chicken; cook and stir 5 to 7 min. or until cooked through. Add tomatoes; cook 1 min., stirring occasionally. Stir in noodles and reserved 1/2 cup cooking water. Remove from heat.
• Add spinach, 1/2 cup of the cheese and the bacon; toss lightly to combine. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese.