Bacon 'n' tomato toss
0
- Prep Time10 min
- Total Time10 min
- Makes4 to 5 servings
Ingredients
1/2 450-g pkg penne or rotini pasta, about 2 cups
2 cup frozen peas
5 slices bacon
1 pint cherry tomatoes, or 3 coarsely chopped large plum tomatoes
3 green onions
1 tsp salt
1 cup grated old cheddar, or your favourite grated full-flavoured cheese
Instructions
Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions, 8 to 10 minutes. Add peas to pasta water just at the end of cooking and before draining noodles. You will also need to save 1/2 cup (125 mL) pasta water to add to sauce.
Meanwhile, slice bacon into 1/2-inch (1-cm) pieces. Slice cherry tomatoes in half. Slice onions into 1/2-inch (1-cm) pieces. Place a large wide saucepan over medium heat. Add bacon. Stir occasionally until crisp, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove to a paper towel. Pour off all but 1 teaspoon (5 mL) fat from saucepan. Add tomatoes. Sprinkle with salt. Using a wooden spoon, scrape up and stir in any brown bits from pan bottom to add flavour. Stir often until tomatoes soften, 4 minutes. Ladle out the 1/2 cup (125 mL) pasta water. Stir into tomato mixture in saucepan. Turn off heat.
Drain pasta and peas. Add to tomato mixture. Sprinkle in onions, bacon and cheese. Stir to coat. Serve with a leafy green salad.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories 363, Protein 16.7g, Carbohydrates 43.9g, Fat 13.3g, Fibre 4.9g, Sodium 1026mg.
This is a full-flavoured dish packed with juicy tomatoes and vibrant peas. It's a refreshing change from the heavily sauced pasta dishes we crave in cooler months.
Ham it up
Instead of bacon, try chopped cooked ham. Add to saucepan with tomatoes.
