Get ready to transform your weeknight dinner from ordinary to extraordinary with this mouthwatering Bow Ties with Bacon and Tomatoes recipe! In just 25 minutes, you'll create a restaurant-quality meal that combines the crispy perfection of bacon, the burst of sweet cherry tomatoes, and the comforting embrace of perfectly cooked bow tie pasta. Whether you're a busy home cook or a culinary enthusiast looking for a quick and delicious meal, this recipe is about to become your new go-to comfort food that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz bow tie pasta
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and add a pinch of salt. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Add bow tie pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions, typically 8-10 minutes, until pasta is al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, place chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook bacon until crispy and golden brown, stirring occasionally, about 5-6 minutes.
- Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease. Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the skillet.
- In the same skillet with bacon fat, add olive oil and minced garlic. Sauté garlic for 30-45 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Add halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until they start to soften and release their juices.
- Drain the pasta and add it directly to the skillet with tomatoes. Toss gently to combine, adding reserved pasta water if needed to create a light sauce.
- Return crispy bacon to the skillet and mix thoroughly. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Transfer pasta to serving plates and garnish with fresh torn basil leaves.
- Serve immediately while hot, enjoying the combination of crispy bacon, sweet tomatoes, and perfectly cooked pasta.
Tips
- Salt Your Pasta Water: Don't be shy with salt when boiling pasta. It should taste like the sea to ensure your pasta is well-seasoned from the inside out.
- Reserve Pasta Water: Always save a bit of pasta water before draining. The starchy liquid helps create a silky sauce and helps ingredients stick to the pasta.
- Bacon Crispiness: Cook bacon over medium heat to render fat slowly and achieve that perfect crispy texture without burning.
- Garlic Watch: When sautéing garlic, keep a close eye on it. It can burn quickly, which will make your dish taste bitter. Remove from heat as soon as it becomes fragrant.
- Al Dente is Key: Cook your pasta just until it's tender but still has a slight bite. Overcooked pasta can become mushy and ruin the dish's texture.
- Fresh Herbs Matter: Use fresh basil if possible. The bright, aromatic flavor will elevate the entire dish and add a beautiful finishing touch.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 20mg
