American-Italian all'Amatriciana

Okay guys and gals...Jump aboard the Rachael Ray train!!

Now, I'll admit she's not my favorite chef (Giada's #1!!)....anyways, but I do watch her show from time to time, usually I'll be on my computer, reading, cleaning, and whatnot and "30 Minute Meals" will be on in the background. The other day I saw her make this dish and I thought 'this looks really easy and pretty good'. Of course I had to try it, right?!

Guess what was for dinner tonight?? ; )

This dish is an american remake of an italian dish called Bucatini All'Amatriciana. Let me tell you, it is all about the bacon!! Yes Bryan, if youre reading this....this is the dish for you! It is basically a bacon tomato sauce with onion and garlic etc. With penne pasta. Mix all that together and Voila! You are supposed to shred some sharp cheddar to put ontop but I just bought the packaged shredded mild cheddar and that was just fine! I also used smoked bacon, red onion, a few cloves garlic and the chicken stock.  The sauce had an excellent smokey flavor to it thanks to the bacon...Very awesome!! My husband and I both were happy campers with this meal. I gave it 5 stars (Literally, I reviewed it on the food network site!) and I will definitly be making this again sometime!! : )

Ingredients

• Salt
• 1 pound whole-wheat cassarecci, rigatoni or penne pasta
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 6 slices lean peppered bacon, chopped
• 1 large red onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed fire roasted tomatoes
• Black pepper
• A handful flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• Shredded sharp white Cheddar, to pass at table

Directions

Heat water to boil for pasta, season with salt and cook pasta to al dente.

Heat a deep skillet over medium-high heat with extra-virgin olive oil, a turn of the pan. Add bacon and crisp 4 to 5 minutes then add onions and garlic cook to soften, 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in stock then tomatoes and season with pepper to taste. Simmer sauce 15 minutes. Toss pasta with sauce and parsley. Serve with grated sharp white Cheddar.

*This is a Rachael Ray recipe found on Foodnetwork.com*

*Bacon photo found on google images*