Spaghetti Amatriciana With Crispy Bacon

Updated at: Thu, 17 Aug 2023 01:09:02 GMT

Step 1

Boil a kettle

Step 2

Heat a large, wide-based pan (preferably non-stick) with a drizzle of olive oil over a medium heat

Step 3

Once hot, add the bacon lardons and cook for 8 min, stirring frequently, or until golden and crispy

Step 4

While the bacon lardons are cooking, peel and finely dice the brown onion[s]

Step 5

Peel and finely slice (don't chop) the garlic

Step 6

Slice the baby plum tomatoes in half

Step 7

Once the lardons are crispy, transfer them to a plate and return the pan (and oil!) to a medium heat

Step 8

Add the diced onion with a pinch of salt and cook for 6-7 min or until softened

Step 9

Dissolve the tomato paste and vegetable stock mix in 200ml [300ml] boiled water – this is your tomato stock

Step 10

Once the onion has softened, add the halved tomatoes, sliced garlic, dried oregano and chilli flakes (can't handle the heat? Go easy!) to the pan and cook for 4-5 min further or until the tomatoes have broken down into a sauce

Step 11

Once broken down, add the tomato stock with a pinch of sugar and cook for 3-4 min further or until the sauce has thickened

Step 12

Meanwhile, add the spaghetti to a pot of boiled water with a generous pinch of salt, bring to the boil over a high heat and cook for 8-10 min or until cooked with a slight bite

Step 13

Once done, drain the cooked spaghetti and reserve a cup of the starchy pasta water

Step 14

While the spaghetti is cooking, chop the basil finely, including the stalks

Step 15

Add the drained spaghetti to the sauce with half the chopped basil and half the crispy lardons (save the rest for garnish!) and give everything a good mix up until the sauce coats the pasta – this is your spaghetti Amatriciana

Step 16

Tip: Add a splash of starchy pasta water if it's looking a little dry

Step 17

Serve the spaghetti Amatriciana and garnish with the remaining crispy lardons and chopped basil

Step 18

Sprinkle over the grated Italian hard cheese and season with a good grind of black pepper

Step 19

Enjoy!

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Easy

Special occasion

Under 30 minutes