Best 4 Orecchiette With Bacon And Tomato Sauce Recipes

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**Orecchiette with Bacon and Tomato Sauce: A Culinary Journey to Southern Italy**

In the heart of Puglia, a region renowned for its vibrant cuisine, lies a dish that embodies the essence of rustic Italian cooking: orecchiette with bacon and tomato sauce. This delectable combination of flavors and textures is a testament to the region's culinary heritage, where simple ingredients are transformed into a symphony of taste. Join us on a culinary journey as we delve into the intricacies of this classic dish, exploring the unique flavors and techniques that make it a beloved favorite. Our comprehensive guide features a step-by-step recipe for the traditional orecchiette pasta, along with variations that cater to different dietary preferences and tastes. Discover the secrets behind the perfect tomato sauce, infused with the smoky richness of bacon and the vibrant flavors of fresh herbs. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting your culinary adventure, this article will provide you with all the knowledge and inspiration you need to create a truly authentic orecchiette with bacon and tomato sauce that will transport you to the sun-kissed vineyards of Southern Italy.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

ORECCHIETTE WITH BACON, LEMON AND CREAM



Orecchiette with Bacon, Lemon and Cream image

Provided by Alex Guarnaschelli

Time 50m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

12 slices bacon, cut into 2-inch strips
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup full-fat sour cream
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon, plus additional juice to taste
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, preferably Lea & Perrins
1 pound dried orecchiette pasta, preferably De Cecco
1/2 cup minced fresh chives

Steps:

  • Cook the bacon: Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat and add 1/2 cup water and the bacon slices. Cook until all of the water evaporates and the bacon becomes crispy, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a kitchen towel to drain, reserving the fat in a separate bowl.
  • Make the sauce: In a large skillet, whisk together the heavy cream and sour cream. Season with 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Simmer the cream mixture over medium heat, whisking, until it thickens, 5 to 8 minutes. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce. Set aside.
  • Cook the pasta: In a large pot, bring 6 quarts water to a rolling boil and season with 1/2 cup salt. The pasta water should taste like seawater. Add the orecchiette to the boiling water and stir with a slotted spoon to make sure it does not clump or stick to the bottom as it cooks. Cook until the pasta is al dente (chewy but not hard or raw tasting), 6 to 8 minutes. Drain the pasta in a large colander, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water in case you need it to adjust the sauce.
  • Finish the dish: Reheat the pasta sauce over medium heat until it simmers gently. Add the pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Remove the skillet from the heat and allow the pasta to rest for 2 minutes. Taste for seasoning. Stir in the bacon, some of the reserved bacon fat, an additional splash of lemon juice, chives and pasta water (if needed) to make a sauce that lightly coats the pasta. Serve immediately.

ORECCHIETTE WITH BACON AND TOMATO SAUCE



Orecchiette with Bacon and Tomato Sauce image

To give basic tomato sauce an extra kick, turn to bacon and red-pepper flakes. Just a little of each gives the sauce a lightly spicy, smoky flavor.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Pork Recipes

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
4 slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 medium red onion, halved and thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
1 can (28 ounces) whole peeled tomatoes
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 pound orecchiette or other short pasta
Grated Parmesan and chopped fresh parsley, for serving

Steps:

  • In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium-high. Add bacon and cook until browned and almost crisp, about 4 minutes. Add onion and cook until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and red-pepper flakes and stir until fragrant, 1 minute. Add tomatoes, breaking them up as you go, and season with salt and pepper. Bring sauce to a boil; reduce to a simmer and cook until slightly reduced, 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in a large pot of salted water, cook pasta 1 minute less than package instructions. Reserve cup pasta water; drain pasta and return to pot.
  • Add sauce and pasta water to pasta and toss to combine; cook over medium-high until sauce thickens and coats pasta, about 2 minutes. Refrigerate 3 cups pasta for a separate dish. Serve remaining pasta topped with Parmesan and parsley.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 335 g, Fat 5 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 12 g

ORECCHIETTE WITH SPINACH, GARLIC AND BACON



Orecchiette With Spinach, Garlic and Bacon image

Make and share this Orecchiette With Spinach, Garlic and Bacon recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Elizabeth Fullerton

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 45m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 (10 ounce) box frozen spinach
6 -8 slices bacon
1 small onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 lb orecchiette, cooked (bowtie pasta works well too)
salt and pepper

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to directions on the box.
  • While frying your bacon, defrost spinach in the microwave according to directions.
  • Sauté onion in olive oil until tender; add the garlic and sauté two more minutes. Add the spinach to the onions.
  • Crumble the bacon and add to the mixture.
  • Turn the heat to low to keep spinach mixture warm while the pasta finishes cooking.
  • When pasta is cooked, drain and place in shallow bowls, spoon spinach mixture over pasta and serve.
  • •Serving Suggestion: Sprinkle grated cheese over top.

ORECCHIETTE WITH TOMATO SAUCE AND KALE



Orecchiette With Tomato Sauce and Kale image

This is true to the Apulian tradition of serving chopped greens with orecchiette, those little ear-shaped pasta, though the greens might be different in Apulia and the combination doesn't always include a tomato sauce. Since I've always got tomato sauce in my freezer, it's an easy dish to throw together. This winter version is made with canned tomatoes.

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Categories     dinner, pastas, main course

Time 45m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
1 (14-ounce) can tomatoes with juice, pulsed a few times in a food processor or mini processor
Pinch of sugar
Salt to taste
A few sprigs of fresh basil, if available
1/2 pound curly green kale or black kale, stemmed and washed thoroughly
12 ounces orecchiette
1 ounce (1/4 cup) freshly grated Parmesan, pecorino Romano or a combination (more to taste)

Steps:

  • Heat the oil over medium heat in a wide skillet or saucepan and add the garlic and red pepper flakes. As soon as the garlic begins to smell fragrant (30 seconds to 1 minute), add the tomatoes, sugar, salt and basil sprigs and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring often, until the mixture is thick and fragrant, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the heat, taste and adjust seasoning.
  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt generously and add the kale. Blanch for 2 to 4 minutes, until tender but still bright green. Using a skimmer, transfer to a bowl of cold water. Do not drain the pot of water. Drain the kale and squeeze out excess water. Chop medium-fine and stir into the tomato sauce.
  • Bring the pot of water back to a boil and add the pasta. Cook al dente, 10 to 11 minutes, or according to the cooking directions on the package. Drain and toss with the tomato and kale mixture right in the pan. Add the Parmesan, toss again and serve.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 419, UnsaturatedFat 4 grams, Carbohydrate 73 grams, Fat 7 grams, Fiber 7 grams, Protein 17 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 590 milligrams, Sugar 6 grams

Tips:

  • Use fresh, ripe tomatoes: This will give your sauce the best flavor. If you can't find fresh tomatoes, you can use canned whole tomatoes, but be sure to drain them well and chop them before using.
  • Don't overcrowd the pan: When you're cooking the bacon, don't overcrowd the pan. This will prevent the bacon from cooking evenly and will make it more likely to stick to the pan.
  • Cook the bacon until it's crispy: This will add a nice smoky flavor to the sauce. If you don't like crispy bacon, you can cook it until it's just cooked through.
  • Use a good quality olive oil: Olive oil is essential for this recipe. Be sure to use a good quality extra virgin olive oil.
  • Don't overcook the sauce: The sauce should be cooked until it's just heated through. If you overcook it, the tomatoes will lose their flavor and the sauce will become bland.
  • Season the sauce to taste: Add salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste. You can also add a pinch of sugar if you like.
  • Serve the sauce over orecchiette pasta: Orecchiette is a small, ear-shaped pasta that is perfect for this sauce. You can also use other types of pasta, such as penne or spaghetti.

Conclusion:

Orecchiette with bacon and tomato sauce is a simple but flavorful dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It's easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy pasta dish, give this recipe a try!

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