Spaghettini with Bacon and Basil

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 6 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 4 ounces bacon, chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
  • 1 1/2 pounds cherry tomatoes
  • 3 tablespoons shredded basil
  • 1 1/4 cups grated Parmesan cheese, divided
  • salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Preparation

Step 1

Cook spaghettini in pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain, reserving 1 cup liquid. Return pasta to pot.
Meanwhile, heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic; stir 30 seconds. Add bacon and crushed red pepper; saut�ntil bacon is crisp, about 4 minutes. Add tomatoes; saut�ntil soft, about 4 minutes.
Transfer tomato mixture to pot with pasta. Add 3/4 cup cheese and 2 tablespoons basil. Toss over medium heat until cheese melts and sauce coats pasta, adding cooking liquid by 1/4 cupfuls if dry. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl. Sprinkle with remaining tablespoon of basil. Serve remaining cheese alongside