Weeknight • Pasta
Creamy Tomato Pasta with Crispy Pancetta
Indulge in a rich, creamy tomato pasta elevated by salty, crispy pancetta for a comforting meal.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Servings
- 4
- Level
- Weeknight
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Sometimes, all you need is a big bowl of comforting pasta. This Creamy Tomato Pasta gets a serious upgrade with the addition of crispy, salty pancetta, which brings fantastic texture and depth of flavor. It’s simple enough for a weeknight but feels wonderfully indulgent. Get ready to twirl!
Ingredients
Yield: 4 servings
Main
- 12 oz pasta (such as rigatoni, penne, or fettuccine)
- 4 oz pancetta, diced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Preparation
Step 1
Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
Step 2
While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add pancetta and cook until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove pancetta with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving rendered fat in the skillet.
Step 3
Add olive oil to the skillet with the rendered fat (if needed, add a little extra olive oil). Add onion and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
Step 4
Stir in crushed tomatoes and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
Step 5
Reduce heat to low, then stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until smooth and well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 6
Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
Step 7
Stir in chopped basil (if using) and most of the crispy pancetta. Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan and crispy pancetta.
Tips
- No pancetta? Bacon works great as a substitute. Cook it similarly until crisp.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic.
- Freshly grated Parmesan makes a huge difference in the sauce's texture and flavor.
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