Mary Berry Penne Pasta With Bacon Recipe

This satisfying Mary Berry Penne Pasta With Bacon Recipe marries salty, crisp lardons with a rich, basil-infused tomato sauce. Finished with a luxurious dollop of crème fraîche (or cream) to mellow the acidity, it coats every tube of pasta in a velvety, savory glaze that satisfies the whole family in under 20 minutes.

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Mary Berry Penne Pasta With Bacon Ingredients

The Pasta & Meat:

• 350g (12 oz) Penne Pasta: The ridges help the thick sauce cling to the tubes.
• 150g (5 oz) Smoked Streaky Bacon: Snipped into small pieces. Smoked bacon is essential for depth; unsmoked will taste too bland against the tomatoes.

The Sauce:

• 1 Onion: Chopped finely.
• 1 Garlic Clove: Crushed.
• 1 (400g) tin Chopped Tomatoes: Good quality Italian tomatoes reduce down to a sweeter sauce.
• 2 tbsp Tomato Purée: Intensifies the color and flavor.
• 1 tsp Sugar: Mary always adds a pinch of sugar to tomato sauces to balance the acidity.
• 3 tbsp Double Cream or Crème Fraîche: The secret to the silky, “restaurant-style” finish.
• 1 tbsp Olive Oil: For frying.

The Finish:

• Fresh Basil: A handful of leaves, torn.
• Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated, for serving.
• Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: To taste.

How To Make Mary Berry Penne Pasta With Bacon

1. Boil the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the penne and cook according to packet instructions until al dente (tender but with a slight bite). Drain, reserving a mugful of the starchy cooking water.
2. Crisp the Bacon: While the pasta cooks, heat the oil in a large deep frying pan. Add the snipped bacon and fry over medium-high heat for 3–5 minutes until the fat renders and the edges are golden and crisp.
3. Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion to the bacon pan. Cook gently for another 5 minutes until the onion is soft and translucent. Stir in the crushed garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
4. Simmer the Sauce: Stir in the tomato purée, canned tomatoes, and sugar. Season with pepper (go easy on salt due to the bacon). Bring to a bubble, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes until the sauce has thickened and reduced.
5. Enrich: Stir in the double cream (or crème fraîche) and the torn basil leaves. The sauce will turn a beautiful creamy orange color.
6. Combine: Tip the drained pasta into the frying pan with the sauce. Toss well to coat every tube. If the sauce is too thick, splash in a little of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up to a glossy consistency.
7. Serve: Serve immediately in warm bowls, topped generously with grated Parmesan cheese.

Recipe Tips

• Pasta Water Magic: Do not throw all the pasta water down the sink! The starch in that water is the emulsifier that helps the creamy tomato sauce stick to the pasta rather than sliding off to the bottom of the bowl.
• Bacon Texture: Ensure the bacon is truly crisp before adding the wet tomatoes. If you add the liquid too soon, the bacon will boil and become flabby rather than providing a crunchy texture contrast.
• Herbs: If you don’t have fresh basil, a teaspoon of dried oregano added with the tomatoes adds a lovely rustic Italian flavor.
• Vegetable Boost: Mary often suggests adding a sliced red pepper or sliced mushrooms along with the onions to bulk out the meal.

What To Serve With Penne Pasta With Bacon

• Garlic Dough Balls: Perfect for mopping up the creamy sauce.
• Rocket Salad: A peppery arugula salad with balsamic glaze cuts through the rich bacon fat.
• Caprese Salad: Tomato and mozzarella slices on the side.
• Red Wine: A medium-bodied Merlot pairs well with the tomato-cream sauce.

How To Store Penne Pasta With Bacon

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The pasta will absorb more sauce as it sits.
• Reheat: Warm in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.
• Freeze: You can freeze the sauce separately, but pasta can become mushy when frozen and reheated in sauce. It is best to freeze the sauce base and boil fresh pasta when needed.

Mary Berry Penne Pasta With Bacon Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 450 kcal
• Fat: 22g
• Carbohydrates: 48g
• Protein: 15g
• Sodium: 650mg

Nutrition information is estimated per serving.

FAQs

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