Here’s a delicious Italian-style Bacon and Beef Spaghetti recipe that’s hearty, flavorful, and easy to make at home.
🍝 Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 400 g (14 oz) spaghetti
- 200 g (7 oz) bacon, chopped
- 250 g (9 oz) ground beef
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 400 g (14 oz) canned diced tomatoes (or tomato passata)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil (optional: fresh basil leaves for garnish)
- ½ tsp chili flakes (optional, for mild heat)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente.
- Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.
2. Cook Bacon and Beef
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add chopped bacon and cook until crispy, about 4–5 minutes.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spatula.
- Remove excess fat if necessary, leaving about 1 tbsp in the pan.
3. Add Aromatics
- Add chopped onion and cook until softened, 3–4 minutes.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Make the Sauce
- Stir in tomato paste and cook 1 minute.
- Add canned tomatoes, oregano, basil, and chili flakes.
- Simmer for 10–15 minutes until sauce thickens.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- If sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water to loosen.
5. Combine Pasta and Sauce
- Toss the cooked spaghetti into the sauce until evenly coated.
- Let it cook together 1–2 minutes for the flavors to meld.
6. Serve
- Plate the spaghetti, sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan, and garnish with fresh basil if desired.
💡 Tips
- Bacon choice: Smoky pancetta works great for authentic Italian flavor.
- Extra flavor: Add a splash of red wine to the sauce while simmering.
- Vegetables: Mushrooms or bell peppers can be added for variety.
This recipe gives you a rich, savory sauce with smoky bacon and hearty beef, perfect for a comforting Italian dinner.
If you want, I can also give a quick 20-minute version that’s lighter but still packed with bacon and beef flavor. Do you want me to do that?
