Bucatini all'Amatriciana {aka Bacon Pasta}

Giada makes it.
Theresa from the Housewives makes it.
Everyone has her own version!!
One of my no-fail, easy go-to dinners, and one of Joe's favorite {score!}

Bucatini all'Amatriciana

aka

Bacon Pasta

Ingredients:

1 box of pasta of choice {bucatini is like spaghetti but is thicker & hollow}

6-8 slices of applewood smoked bacon {In Italy, they'd use pancetta, but the kinds we have here aren't as good, instead you can use bacon}

1 large can of crushed tomatoes

1 can of tomato paste

1 onion diced

2 crushed garlic cloves

a few splashes of red wine 

1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese

a few pinches of red pepper

salt/pepper to taste

EVOO for the pan

Directions:

In a large pot, boil water & follow directions for pasta.

In another large pot, saute onions in about 2 T of extra virgin olive oil on medium heat

Tip: Salt the the onions to tenderize a bit quicker

Once softened, add garlic and cook another 1-2 minutes. Don't burn/brown, just soften.

Add crushed tomatoes, paste, seasonings and bring to a boil.

Add wine & simmer to reduce a bit.

Meanwhile, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lay bacon without overlapping. 
Place in a 400 degree oven and bake until cooked  (10-13 minutes or so).

You can cook bacon on the stove, but if you're already using 2 burners, the oven may be easier.  I just started baking the bacon a few months ago!

 Once the bacon is patted with a papertowel to remove excess fat, tear into small pieces and throw it in the sauce.  

Add the Parmesan cheese.

Toss with the pasta.

enjoy.