Tomato Bacon Pasta is a simple, but elegant pasta recipe for two that features thin capellini pasta tossed with crispy bacon and juicy tomatoes, seasoned with garlic, onions, and basil.
Let’s talk date nights in. Aren’t they less stressful than getting ready and heading out somewhere on a Friday night after a full week of work?
Maybe that’s because I’m typing this on a Friday night after an exhausting work week.
But, I think we all agree, sometimes it’s more relaxing and romantic to make dinner at home for a cozy evening with your sweetheart.
If you stir together a quick batch of these Nutella Brownies for Two and pop the pan in the oven before you start this pasta, you just might have the perfect recipe for your next date night at home.
What’s not to love about a cozy dinner at home that requires minimal effort in the kitchen?
Pasta with Tomatoes and Bacon
I love the way fresh tomatoes work to brighten a simple pasta dish. When you add in the fragrance of sauteed garlic and onion, along with a bit of salty bacon, this is a pasta dish that is certain to make everyone smile.
This recipe makes a generous two portions, or two portions with a serving leftover for lunch the next day.
Our favorite meals to cook for date nights are simple, with less than an hour of prep from start to finish, but we still want them to feel special. When I’m feeling fancy, I light the candles and use our fancy china too.
The key here is to avoid spending hours in the kitchen – that will quickly take the fun right out of a date night at home!
Tomato Bacon Pasta
- In a large skillet, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan and discard all but 2 tablespoons of the grease.
- While the bacon is cooking, boil a pot of water and cook the pasta according to the package directions.
- Sauté the onion and garlic in the same pan used to cook the bacon, along with the remaining bacon grease. When the onion is tender, add the tomatoes, basil, salt, and pepper. Cook until slightly softened and bubbly.
- Stir in the bacon. Toss the capellini in the skillet with the tomato mixture. Serve topped with Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Easy Dinner Ideas
I’m all about the EASY dinner ideas for busy nights. This Cheesy Sausage Pasta and these Crockpot Sweet and Sour Meatballs are a couple more easy dinner recipes that you’ll want to try.
Savory sausage, creamy ricotta and mozzarella, and your favorite spaghetti sauce are baked with bowtie pasta in this Lazy Lasagna recipe twist on traditional lasagna.
Don’t miss the French Bread Pizza as well, for the easiest of weeknight meals.
Tomato Bacon Capellini
Ingredients
- 5 ounces capellini pasta
- 8 ounces thick-cut bacon
- 3 medium tomato, diced
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, thinly sliced
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 ounces grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a large skillet, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan and discard all but 2 tablespoons of the grease. Meanwhile, cook the capellini according to the package directions.
- Sauté the onion and garlic in the bacon grease in the same skillet until tender. Add the tomatoes, basil, salt, and pepper and cook until slightly softened and bubbly. Stir in the bacon.
- Toss the capellini in the skillet with the tomato mixture. Serve with Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Nutrition
{originally published 3/19/16 – recipe notes and photos updated 10/15/21}
Amy says
I cant get to the tomato bacon capellini full recipe and would like to use for a party Memorial day-
please assist.
thank you.
Mallory says
Hi Amy, If you click the link to the recipe, it is printed in full.