Smoked Bacon Sauce

Name: Smoked Bacon Sauce
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: Smoked pancetta 9 oz; Peeled tomatoes 1 cup; White onions 0.67 cup; Fresh chili pepper 1; Black pepper to taste; Extra virgin olive oil to taste; Celery 1 cup; White wine 2.6 oz; Basil to taste; Fine salt to taste

it de fr es br

Gluten Free
Lactose Free

Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Serving: 4
Cost: Average

PRESENTATION

Smoked pancetta sauce is like the perfect mix between quick and slow-cooked pasta sauces. Really good stuff. In Italian kitchens, quick dishes like Carbonara or Cacio e Pepe are staples for busy nights. But you know what? This sauce gives you a reason to slow down a bit. Pancetta offers this special smoky kick that regular bacon just cannot match, blending beautifully with tomato sauce for a rich and comforting experience. Seriously good. It's perfect for tossing with pasta when you want more than just basic marinara. The spicy touch wakes up your taste buds, and the tender pancetta bits make every bite satisfying. Italians often make sure there's enough sauce for 'fare la scarpetta'—using bread to soak up every last bit.

Here's the thing, this smoked pancetta pasta sauce is lighter than some creamy sauces, letting the savory pork flavor shine without being overpowering. The tomato sauce? Thick enough to cling to the noodles, striking that perfect balance. Some call it a pasta with smoked pancetta twist on Amatriciana, but it doesn’t follow strict rules—just great ingredients and simple steps. Pretty much. Regional variations might add onion or a splash of red wine for extra depth. And listen, the sauce is silky and just spicy enough to keep things interesting, with a golden hue from pancetta’s fat blending with the tomatoes.

This dish is perfect for those who love Italian pasta with a smoky, hearty feel, and it makes any bowl of noodles or plate of rigatoni more exciting. And, I gotta say, grab some fresh bread—you’re set to soak up all that moist goodness at the end. Can't go wrong.

How to prepare Smoked Bacon Sauce

To prepare the smoked bacon sauce, start by cleaning and cutting the ingredients for cooking: finely chop the celery 1 and onion 2. Then, chop the chili pepper, removing the seeds to make it less spicy 3.

Remove the rind 4 and cut the smoked bacon into small pieces 5. Finally, chop the peeled tomatoes into small pieces 6.

Heat some oil in a pan and then, on low heat, brown the bacon 7 with the onion, celery 8, and chili pepper 9.

Cook for about ten minutes, stirring occasionally, so the vegetables will be wilted and the bacon browned 10. Deglaze with wine and let it evaporate 11, then add the peeled tomatoes 12.

Tear the basil with your hands 13 and season with salt and pepper 14. Cook the sauce for about twenty minutes or until it is dry enough or has reached the desired consistency. The bacon sauce is ready to be added 15.