Crispy bacon, fragrant garlic, juicy cherry tomatoes, and a delicate sauce made from sour cream and cheese create a simple combination for a quick lunch. The pasta turns out creamy, flavorful, and following the original recipe, it’s ready in just 15 minutes.
All you need to do is cook the pasta, prepare the creamy sauce in one pan, and mix everything together. An important trick is to save some of the pasta cooking water to adjust the sauce’s consistency as needed. You can use penne, fusilli, or spaghetti, and finish the dish with fresh basil.
What You’ll Need
- 250 g pasta, such as penne, fusilli, or spaghetti,
- 200 ml sour cream,
- 150 g hard cheese, such as Parmesan, Gouda, or Edam,
- 2 cloves of garlic,
- 1 tablespoon olive oil,
- 200 g cherry tomatoes,
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano or basil,
- 100 g bacon,
- salt and black pepper to taste,
- fresh basil for garnish, optional.
Step-by-Step Preparation:
1. Cooking the pasta: Place the pasta in salted water and cook according to the package instructions. Drain, but reserve about 100 ml of the cooking water. You can use it later to adjust the sauce’s consistency.
2. Preparing the bacon: Cut the bacon into small pieces. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a pan, add the chopped bacon, and fry until nicely crispy.
3. Adding the garlic: Peel and finely chop the garlic, then add it to the bacon. Sauté briefly, just until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it, as it can turn bitter.
4. Sautéing the tomatoes: Halve the cherry tomatoes, add them to the pan, and let them simmer for a while. Allow them to soften and release their juices, which will combine with the bacon drippings to form the flavor base of the sauce.
5. Making the creamy sauce: Pour 200 ml of sour cream over the tomatoes and add 150 g of grated hard cheese. Stir constantly and heat the mixture until the cheese melts and you get a smooth, creamy sauce.
6. Combining with the pasta: Add the drained pasta to the prepared sauce and mix thoroughly so the pasta is evenly coated. If the mixture is too thick, gradually add some of the reserved pasta water.
7. Seasoning and serving: Finally, season the pasta with salt, black pepper, and dried oregano or basil. Serve hot, optionally garnished with fresh basil and a bit more grated cheese.
How to Adjust the Sauce Consistency
Don’t add all the reserved pasta water to the pan at once. Add it gradually only if the sauce is too thick. This way, the sour cream, melted cheese, and other ingredients combine better and the sauce stays smooth.
If you prefer a milder consistency, you can replace the sour cream with cooking cream. The original recipe does not specify the exact amount for this substitution.
Possible Pasta Variations
For a lighter version, you can omit the bacon or replace it with chicken. If you like a more pronounced flavor, add a pinch of chili flakes. You can also stir in some arugula or spinach at the end.
Any type of pasta works as a base, such as penne, fusilli, or spaghetti. Choose the hard cheese according to your taste and what you have on hand; the original recipe suggests Parmesan, Gouda, or Edam.
Final Tip
Sauté the garlic only briefly so it releases its aroma but doesn’t start to burn. Serve the finished pasta immediately after mixing with the sauce, while it’s hot and the sauce is creamy. Fresh basil adds color and complements the tomato flavor.
