Creamy tomato pasta with bacon breadcrumbs

Creamy tomato pasta is always a good idea but add crunchy, smoky bacon breadcrumbs and you take it to a whole new level of awesome.

Ingredients

Full recipe with amounts can be found in the recipe card below. 

• Bacon. I used streaky bacon.
• Ciabatta bread. 
• Oregano.
• Chilli flakes. 
• Parmesan cheese. 
• Onion. 
• Garlic. 
• Tomato puree/passata. Crushed tomatoes can also be used.
• Tomato paste. 
• Cream. 
• Salt and pepper. 
• Spaghetti. 

How to make creamy tomato pasta with bacon breadcrumbs

1. Make the breadcrumbs: Cube the ciabatta and place in a sheetpan. Add strips of bacon then drizzle with a little olive oil and season with oregano and chilli flakes. Place in the oven and allow to cook for 15-20 minutes until the bread and bacon are crisp. Remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature then transfer to a food processor. Pulse until the bread and bacon are broken up into crumbs. Transfer to a bowl and add finely grated Parmesan.
2. Make the creamy tomato pasta: In a saucepan sauté the onion and garlic in a splash of olive oil until soft and fragrant. Add the oregano and cook for another 20-30 seconds before pouring in the tomatoes and tomato paste. Bring to a simmer then pour in the cream and season to taste. Allow to simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Assemble: Add cooked pasta and a splash of the pasta’s cooking water and toss well. Serve with a generous spoonful of bacon breadcrumbs and fresh basil.

Can I make this in advance?

The breadcrumbs can be made and frozen for up to 3 months. Similarly, the creamy tomato sauce can be made and frozen or kept in the fridge for up to a week in a sealed container.

Tomato pasta recipes

1. Easy cherry tomato prosciutto pasta
2. Tomato cream rigatoni
3. Bucatini Amatriciana

Creamy tomato pasta with bacon breadcrumbs

Creamy tomato pasta is always a good idea but add crunchy, smoky bacon breadcrumbs and you take it to a whole new level of awesome.

5 from 1 vote

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Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: creamy tomato pasta, Easy pasta recipe, tomato pasta

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 472kcal

Author: Alida Ryder

Ingredients

For the bacon breadcrumbs

• 5 strips bacon
• 4 slices ciabatta bread
• 1 tsp oregano
• ½ tsp chilli flakes
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese finely grated

For the creamy tomato pasta

• 1 small onion finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves crushed
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 cup tomato puree
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup cream
• salt and pepper to taste
• 500 g (1lb) spaghetti + reserve ½ cup cooking water

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 200°C/390°F.
• Cube the ciabatta and place in a sheet pan. Add strips of bacon then drizzle with a little olive oil and season with oregano and chilli flakes.
• Place in the oven and allow to cook for 15-20 minutes until the bread and bacon are crisp.
• Remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature then transfer to a food processor.
• Pulse until the bread and bacon are broken up into crumbs. Transfer to a bowl and add finely grated Parmesan. 
• In a saucepan sauté the onion and garlic in a splash of olive oil until soft and fragrant.
• Add the oregano and cook for another 20-30 seconds before pouring in the tomatoes and tomato paste.
• Bring to a simmer then pour in the cream and season to taste. Allow to simmer for 10 minutes. 
• Add cooked pasta and a splash of the pasta's cooking water and toss well.
• Serve with a generous spoonful of bacon breadcrumbs and fresh basil.

Nutrition

Calories: 472kcal | Carbohydrates: 75g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 418mg | Potassium: 540mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 810IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 198mg | Iron: 4mg