Pasta Rustica

This pasta rustica recipe combines sweet bell peppers, mellow olive oil, spicy pepper flakes, olives, and capers. Finish the dish with Parmesan cheese.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 25 mins
• Total Time: 50 mins
• Calories: 593 Calories

Ingredients

• 6 slices bacon
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 1 pound rotini or fusili pasta
• 1 (28 ounce) can plum tomatoes, undrained, coarsely chopped
• 2 tablespoons capers, drained
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 0.5 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 0.25 cup chopped parsley
• 0.5 cup Lindsay® Black Ripe Pitted Olives or Lindsay® Green Ripe Select Olives s

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook pasta at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain.

Step 2

Meanwhile, cook bacon in a large deep skillet until crisp. Drain on paper towels; cut or break into ½-inch pieces. Discard bacon drippings.

Step 3

Heat oil in the same skillet over medium heat. Add onions; cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Add bell pepper, parsley, garlic, and pepper flakes; cook 2 minutes. Add tomatoes and chopped bacon; simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in olives, capers, and oregano; simmer 2 minutes. Taste; season with salt if desired.

Step 4

Toss pasta with sauce and ½ cup Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle servings with cheese.