Description
This Tomato Pancetta Pasta is a savory and comforting Italian-inspired dish featuring crispy pancetta, rich tomato sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta. The combination of sautéed onions, garlic, and canned plum tomatoes creates a flavorful sauce finished with parmesan cheese and fresh herbs, making it a quick and satisfying meal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces dried pasta
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 pound pancetta, diced
- 28 ounces canned plum tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Toppings
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Italian parsley or basil, roughly chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the dried pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the finely diced yellow onion and cook for about 5 minutes until translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds to release its fragrance.
- Cook pancetta: Add the diced pancetta along with ground black pepper and sea salt to the onions. Cook for about 6 minutes, stirring often, until the pancetta is crispy and browned.
- Add and mash tomatoes: Pour in the canned plum tomatoes. Use a wooden spoon or potato masher to break down the tomatoes, creating a chunky sauce base.
- Simmer the sauce: Let the tomato and pancetta mixture simmer gently for 8 minutes to meld flavors and thicken slightly.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta into the pot with the tomato sauce and stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Serve and garnish: Dish the pasta into serving bowls. Top each portion with grated parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of roughly chopped Italian parsley or basil for a fresh finish.
Notes
- Use pancetta for authentic flavor, but bacon can be substituted in a pinch.
- For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes when cooking the pancetta.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if needed.
- Fresh plum tomatoes can be used if canned ones are unavailable, but require longer cooking to break down.
- Parmesan cheese adds saltiness; adjust added salt accordingly.
