Discover an incredibly rich and easy pasta dish that marries the savory depth of bacon with bright tomatoes and luscious cream cheese. This Smoky Tomato Bacon Pasta is a flavor explosion!

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Updated January 2013 (Content Refreshed November 2023)

Smoky Tomato Bacon Pasta: Your New Go-To Comfort Food Recipe

Are you searching for a pasta dish that’s easy to make, incredibly satisfying, and bursting with robust flavors? Look no further than this amazing Smoky Tomato Bacon Pasta. This recipe combines crispy, smoky bacon with the vibrant tang of diced tomatoes and the smooth, rich creaminess of cream cheese, all tossed with your favorite pasta. It’s a symphony of textures and tastes that comes together in under 30 minutes, making it an ideal choice for a busy weeknight dinner or a comforting weekend meal.

Imagine perfectly cooked pasta coated in a luxurious sauce where the savory notes of bacon are perfectly balanced by sweet tomatoes, all brought together by the indulgent melt of cream cheese. It’s a dish that truly delivers on its promise of comfort and deliciousness, leaving you feeling utterly satisfied with every forkful.

The Irresistible Allure of Smoky Tomato Bacon Pasta

What makes this particular pasta recipe so captivating? It’s the harmonious blend of simple yet powerful ingredients:

• **The Bacon:** Not just a topping, bacon is a foundational flavor. As it crisps, it renders its fat, creating a savory base for the entire sauce. The smoky notes permeate every bite, elevating the dish beyond a simple tomato sauce.
• **The Tomatoes:** Diced tomatoes provide a bright, acidic counterpoint to the richness of the bacon and cream cheese. They add a freshness that prevents the dish from feeling too heavy, while also bringing essential moisture and color to the sauce.
• **The Cream Cheese:** This is the secret ingredient that transforms a good sauce into an extraordinary one. When melted into the hot tomato and bacon mixture, cream cheese creates an incredibly smooth, velvety, and luxurious texture. It adds a subtle tang and a rich mouthfeel that coats the pasta beautifully, making each bite utterly decadent.
• **The Simplicity:** Despite its gourmet taste, this recipe is surprisingly straightforward. With minimal chopping and a few simple steps, you can have a restaurant-quality meal on your table in no time.

This dish holds a special place in our hearts, proving that sometimes the simplest combinations yield the most profound flavors. We initially discovered a version of this recipe in The Deen Family Cookbook, and it quickly became a household favorite. It’s a testament to the power of classic comfort food ingredients coming together in a brilliant way.

Smoky Tomato Bacon Pasta

Author: Deborah Harroun

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: Italian-American Comfort

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Tomatoes, bacon and cream cheese make up the sauce for this easy pasta recipe. This Smoky Tomato Bacon Pasta is full of flavor!

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound bacon, diced
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• One 28-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 4 ounces cream cheese, cut into small pieces
• 1 pound uncooked pasta (such as penne, rotini, or fettuccine)

Instructions

1. In a large skillet, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until it is deliciously crisp. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the crispy bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, reserving the bacon fat in the skillet. Pour off all but approximately 1/4 cup of the rendered bacon grease.
2. Add the diced yellow onion to the reserved bacon grease in the skillet. Sauté the onion over medium heat until it becomes soft and translucent, which should take about 5 minutes. Stir in the drained diced tomatoes and crumble in the reserved crispy bacon. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Allow the sauce to simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes to let the flavors meld and deepen. Then, add the cream cheese pieces and stir continuously until the cream cheese is fully melted and incorporated, creating a smooth, creamy sauce.
3. While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add your chosen pasta and cook according to the package directions until it is al dente (tender but still firm to the bite). Drain the pasta thoroughly and transfer it to a large serving bowl.
4. Pour the warm Smoky Tomato Bacon sauce over the drained pasta. Toss gently but thoroughly to ensure every strand and piece of pasta is evenly coated in the rich, creamy sauce.
5. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley or grated Parmesan cheese, if desired, for an extra touch of flavor and elegance. Enjoy this comforting and flavorful meal!

Recipe Notes:

This recipe is inspired by a delightful dish found in The Deen Family Cookbook.

Expert Tips for Perfect Smoky Tomato Bacon Pasta

Achieving the best possible flavor and texture in your Smoky Tomato Bacon Pasta is easy with a few simple tips:

• **Choose Quality Bacon:** Opt for good quality, thick-cut bacon for the best flavor and texture. The fat from the bacon is crucial for building the sauce’s depth.
• **Render Bacon Slowly:** Don’t rush the bacon cooking process. Cooking it over medium heat allows the fat to render slowly and the bacon to become truly crisp without burning.
• **Don’t Skimp on Bacon Grease:** That 1/4 cup of reserved bacon grease is essential! It infuses the onions and tomatoes with incredible smoky flavor, creating a rich foundation for your sauce.
• **Drain Tomatoes Well:** Excess liquid from the diced tomatoes can make your sauce watery. Draining them thoroughly ensures a concentrated, flavorful sauce that clings beautifully to the pasta.
• **Cream Cheese at Room Temperature:** For the smoothest sauce, allow your cream cheese to come to room temperature before adding it to the skillet. This helps it melt evenly and prevents lumps.
• **Al Dente Pasta is Key:** Cook your pasta until it’s al dente. It will continue to cook slightly when mixed with the hot sauce, preventing it from becoming mushy.
• **Taste and Adjust:** Always taste your sauce before tossing with pasta. Adjust salt and pepper as needed. A pinch of red pepper flakes can add a subtle kick if you like a little heat.

Variations and Customizations to Explore

While this Smoky Tomato Bacon Pasta recipe is perfect as is, it’s also wonderfully adaptable. Feel free to get creative and tailor it to your preferences:

• **Add Vegetables:** Boost the nutritional value and color by stirring in some fresh spinach or kale at the very end until wilted. Sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or even roasted cherry tomatoes would also be delicious additions when you’re cooking the onions.
• **Protein Boost:** While bacon is the star, you could easily add cooked chicken (shredded or diced) or shrimp to the sauce for an even heartier meal. Add these in during the last few minutes of simmering the sauce to warm through.
• **Spice It Up:** If you enjoy a bit of heat, a pinch or two of red pepper flakes added with the tomatoes will give the sauce a pleasant warmth.
• **Herbs and Garnish:** Fresh basil or parsley chopped and stirred in at the end, or used as a garnish, adds a wonderful fresh aroma and flavor. A sprinkle of grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese before serving is always a welcome addition for an extra layer of savory depth.
• **Different Pasta Shapes:** This sauce is versatile and works well with many pasta shapes. Penne, rigatoni, rotini, fettuccine, or even spaghetti would be excellent choices, each offering a slightly different texture and way to capture the creamy sauce.
• **Lighter Creaminess:** For a slightly lighter version, you could use Neufchâtel cheese instead of regular cream cheese, which has less fat. Alternatively, a splash of milk or half-and-half could be used in conjunction with a smaller amount of cream cheese for a different creamy texture.

Serving Suggestions for a Complete Meal

This Smoky Tomato Bacon Pasta is a substantial and satisfying dish on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a few simple accompaniments to create a complete meal:

• **Fresh Green Salad:** A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast to the rich pasta.
• **Garlic Bread or Crusty Bread:** Perfect for soaking up every last bit of that delicious creamy sauce.
• **Roasted Vegetables:** Simple roasted broccoli, asparagus, or green beans can add more vegetables and a lovely char flavor.
• **Wine Pairing:** A light-bodied red wine like a Pinot Noir, or a crisp white wine such as a Sauvignon Blanc or an unoaked Chardonnay, would complement the flavors beautifully.

Storage and Reheating

Leftover Smoky Tomato Bacon Pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When reheating, the sauce might thicken. To restore its creamy consistency, add a splash of milk or chicken broth before warming it gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave until heated through. Stir frequently to prevent sticking.

Why This Recipe Deserves a Spot in Your Rotation

In a world full of complex recipes and dietary trends, sometimes all you need is a truly delicious, fuss-free meal that brings pure joy. This Smoky Tomato Bacon Pasta is exactly that. It’s a testament to the power of simple, high-quality ingredients, transformed into something extraordinary with minimal effort. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting your culinary journey, this recipe is incredibly forgiving and guaranteed to impress.

It’s the kind of dish you’ll crave on a chilly evening, after a long day, or when you just need a taste of pure comfort. So, gather your ingredients, follow these easy steps, and prepare to fall in love with your new favorite pasta dish. You won’t regret it!