Pasta Amatriciana

Bacon + Pasta + Cheese + Jalapeños = A Very Happy Husband!

 Let me warn you up front, this is not the healthiest meal I have ever blogged!  Though, if you are looking for a full-flavored pasta dish with many less calories than your local pasta joint, this is your best bet. I have seen a hundred variations of this recipe, but I find the one I have put together to be the most simple and flavorful. It is also, by far, the most health conscious. No expensive, fancy ingredients. Just deliciousness. If your family unit is not in love with spicy foods like we are, use a pepper with a little less spice!

Ingredients

5 oz. whole wheat penne

4 slices bacon, chopped (I use less fat center cut bacon)

3 cloves fresh garlic, minced

¼ cup parmesan or asiago cheese, shredded

1 tbsp. olive oil

½ small yellow onion, chopped

1 small jalapeno pepper, chopped

1 can tomatoes, diced (I used fire roasted)

½ tsp. dried basil

½ tsp. dried oregano

½ tsp. red pepper flakes

Directions:

1)      Fry bacon in a skillet over low heat until almost crisp.

2)      Remove bacon from skillet and let cool on paper towels. Chop when cooled.

3)      Wipe most of the bacon grease out of the skillet, but leave the skillet greased. Add onion and garlic. Cook until soft.

4)      In a medium sauce pan, combine olive oil, bacon, onion, garlic, jalapeno and tomatoes. Cover and simmer for 3-5 minutes.

5)      While sauce is simmering, boil a medium pot of salted water and cook noodles until al dente. When draining pasta, save ¼ cup pasta water.

6)      Stir in basil, oregano and red pepper. Recover and continue simmering 2-3 minutes.

7)      Add half of the parmesan cheese into the sauce along with the pasta water. Stir constantly for about 1 minute.

8)      Recover sauce and simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes.

9)      Plate pasta, top with sauce and remaining cheese.

10)   Serve immediately.

 Serves 2

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 496, Fat: 18g, Carbs: 64g, Protein: 26g, Fiber: 6g