This tomato & bacon pasta is impossible not to like. It’s easy-to-make, affordable and will definitely be your go-to meal from now on!

SERVES 4 // PREP TIME 10 min // COOK TIME 20 min

INGREDIENTS
300 g spaghetti
1  200 g pack bacon
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tin (410 g) tomato & onion mix
Parmesan, to serve
Handful basil, to serve

METHOD
1. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
2. Fry the bacon over medium-high heat until golden. Remove and drain on a paper towel. Chop into pieces. 
3. In the same pan, add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add about ½ cup of the reserved pasta water, bring to a simmer and stir, scraping off all the bits stuck to the base of the pan.
4. Add in the tomato and onion mix and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes until slightly reduced. Add your pasta to the sauce and toss until all the sauce is soaked up. Add a little more pasta water if it’s too thick.
5. Place the pasta into serving bowls, sprinkle over chopped bacon and grate over some Parmesan. Garnish with basil leaves to serve.

Pro tip: If the sauce tastes too acidic, add a teaspoon or two of sugar to help balance it out.

Recipes & styling: Jezza-Rae Larsen, Sjaan van der Ploeg;
Photography: Chanelle Naudt

Regular spaghetti with meatballs? How boring. Rather embrace your South African heritage and make spaghetti with BOERIE meatballs instead!