Craving a bowl of pure, unadulterated comfort?
Get ready for tomato bacon pasta, a dish that's both incredibly simple and unbelievably satisfying.
But we're not stopping at basic – stick around to discover a game-changing ingredient that elevates this weeknight staple to a whole new level of deliciousness.
[DIRECTIONS]:
Ingredients Needed
To nail this Tomato Basil Rice recipe, we're gonna need a few simple ingredients, so let's gather 'em up! First, grab 1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil—or butter; either works!
Next, we need 2 finely chopped garlic cloves and 1/2 of a finely chopped brown onion. Don't skimp on the chopping; tiny pieces are key!
Then, it's 1 1/4 teaspoons of dried basil—smells amazing, doesn't it? Plus, 1 cup (180g) of uncooked long-grain white rice. I know, so many of us have rice at our homes daily!
We'll also need 1 3/4 cups (435 ml) of chicken broth—full salt, or vegetable broth if you're veggie-inclined. After that, 2 1/2 tablespoons of tomato paste—the secret to that tomatoey punch!
Don't forget 3/4 teaspoon of paprika—sweet or normal, not smoked! And 1 teaspoon of sugar (any kind is fine), plus a sprig and 1/3 cup of finely chopped basil! Adding some bacon, as in the traditional tomato bacon pasta recipe, can add a smoky and savory flavor.
Cooking Instructions
All right, let's plunge into the cooking—it's easier than you think! First, I want you to heat your olive oil in a large pan over medium heat and sauté your minced garlic and chopped onion until they're soft and translucent. Then, I add the rice, chicken broth, tomato paste, paprika, sugar, and crushed basil sprig into the pan—give it a good mix!
Now, bring it all to a simmer, popping a lid on top, then immediately turn the heat to low. I let it cook for about 15 minutes, or until all the liquid is soaked up—peek in there with a tilt of the pan to check! To make this dish family-friendly consider adding some ground beef for a heartier meal.
Take it off the heat and don't be tempted to futz with it. I set the pan aside and let it sit, covered, for 10 minutes. Finally, I take out that old basil sprig (bye, basil!), fluff the rice with a fork, and stir in the fresh basil. I let it stand once more, uncovered, for like, 5 minutes, and serve. Voila!
Tips for Success
Achieving tomato basil rice perfection is totally doable—it all boils down to a couple of simple tweaks in your technique! Don't get discouraged if it isn't perfect the first time.
First, don't burn the garlic. We're aiming for fragrant, not acrid, you know? Next, don't skip crushing the basil sprig—it releases flavor like crazy. Trust me!
Here's a few additional secrets that'll aid you to victory!
- Make sure to thoroughly incorporate the tomato paste, preventing any clumps that could ruin your desired taste.
- Resist the urge to peek! Seriously! While it's cooking be Patient; let that rice do its thing, undisturbed.
- Check your broth's sodium levels, because it affects the final seasoning.
- You should test and adjust the salt levels after fluffing.
These are the few tricks to get the hang of this super simple recipe.
Serving Suggestions
I've got a treasure trove of serving suggestions for you! Think of this pasta as a blank canvas.
First, sprinkle fresh Parmesan cheese; about 1/4 cup will do nicely–it's like giving your pasta a cozy blanket. If you're feeling fancy, add a dollop of ricotta cheese. It's a cloud of creamy goodness!
Next, consider a side of garlic bread! Who can resist garlicky, buttery goodness with pasta? I know I can't!
Alternatively, serve with a simple green salad–about 3 cups. A light vinaigrette dressing cuts through the richness of the pasta.
For protein, grilled chicken or shrimp complement the flavors beautifully; about 4 ounces per serving. If you want to laugh while cooking: I bet even your picky eater friends will ask for seconds!
Short Recipe Version
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Serving Size: 4
Ingredients:
- 1 pound pasta
- 6 slices bacon
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Cook pasta according to package directions.
- While pasta cooks, cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon and crumble. Reserve 2 tablespoons bacon grease in the skillet.
- Add olive oil and crushed tomatoes to the skillet. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
- Drain pasta and add to the skillet with the tomato sauce. Toss to coat.
- Stir in crumbled bacon.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving – Estimated):
- Calories: 450-550
- Protein: 20-25g
- Fat: 25-35g
- Carbohydrates: 50-60g