Ingredients
Scale
Choosing the right ingredients is where this dish really shines. I always opt for sweet yellow onions because they caramelize beautifully and add that rich flavor without overpowering the dish. For the bacon, go for thick-cut if you can—it crisps up nicely without becoming too greasy. And of course, good-quality pasta makes a difference; I prefer a sturdy shape like penne or rigatoni to hold all those luscious bits of onion and bacon. If you want to keep it a bit lighter, turkey bacon can work, but I do love the classic smoky flavor of pork bacon here.
- 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 12 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional: Red pepper flakes for a touch of heat
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels, leaving the bacon fat in the pan.
- Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet with the bacon fat. Toss in the sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook slowly over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden brown and caramelized, about 25-30 minutes. Patience here is key—I often do this while prepping other ingredients.
- Once the onions are caramelized, stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Season with black pepper and optional red pepper flakes.
- Add the cooked pasta and crispy bacon back into the skillet. Toss everything together gently to combine and warm through.
- Remove from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve immediately, topped with extra Parmesan and parsley if you like.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
