Bacon pasta with capers, tomato and spinach, the squid ink spaghetti brings a massive sense of drama to a quick and delicious pasta dinner.
After 10 minutes to prep, this dish takes around 12-13 minutes to cook, and it tastes divine!
Squid Ink Spaghetti with Bacon
Simple pasta recipes lie at the heart of many a cook's repertoire, and I am no different.
They are quick to cook, delicious and nutritious. This recipe joins similarly simple dishes like pesto pasta with goat cheese, cod pasta with pesto and bacon and mushroom spaghetti.
This recipe differentiates itself with the use of squid in pasta; it is glorious in terms of its looks, taste and mouth feel.
Flavour-wise it has a lightly salty and almost 'oceanic' or 'ozone' flavour, but for me, it's the texture that screams through. It is beautifully silky whilst maintaining a great al dente bite.
As the pasta is so special, it would be a crime to drown it in a sauce. As a result, this recipe runs with a dressing of olive oil flavoured by bacon, capers, tomato and spinach.
It is a picture of restraint and is made to allow the bacon and the pasta to be the stars of the show!
Frequently Asked Questions?
Do I have to use squid ink pasta?
No, this dish is just as delicious with regular old spaghetti, but if you can get some, give it a try!
I also use it in my delicious prawn pasta with squid ink spaghetti.
Do I really need to remove the skin and seeds from the tomatoes?
No to the first, although it does refine the dish. However, you definitely need to remove the seeds to prevent the dish from becoming wet and claggy.
Can I use strips or rashers of bacon rather than lardons?
Yes, no problem at all, although it will not be quite so satisfying without big chunks of bacon.
Do I need to add the capers?
The capers are in the recipe to provide some slightly tart notes, and for me, they are perfect. You could omit them and play with some lemon juice!
If you are worried about not using them up and having a jar in the fridge, don't worry, I use them a lot.
I have recipes as diverse as pork ragu with capers and pan-fried skate wings in a caper sauce, alongside many others. Just type capers into the search box at the top of the page!
Serving Suggestions
Like most of my pasta dishes, this bacon pasta recipe is designed to be a light one-bowl meal.
That does not mean that I do not sneak a little something extra on the side!
For me, that normally means garlic bread or cheesy garlic bread.
If I wanted to bulk out the meal a little, I would serve some bruschetta as a starter. Something like this tomato bruschetta or mushroom and halloumi bruschetta would be perfect.
Equipment Used
I only recommend specific brands of equipment if I think that they make a material difference to a recipe. But if you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments section below the recipe.
- Hob/stovetop.
- Saucepan for boiling pasta, I usually use a 2.4 litre (2.5 quart) pan.
- 28cm or 11" frying pan.
- A combination of weighing scales, a measuring jug, measuring cups and spoons.
- Chopping board.
- Kitchen knife.
- Colander or sieve
Bacon Pasta Recipe with Squid Ink Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 200 g Squid Ink Spaghetti 7oz
- 1 GarlicClove
- 3 Anchovy Fillets
- 1 Medium Bacon Lardons 150g
- 2 Medium Tomatoes 200g total
- 50 g Capers ¼ Cup + 1 tablespoon
- 3 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 100 g Baby Spinach Leaves 3½ Cups
- Salt for Boiling Pasta
- ¼-½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- Fresh Basil Leaves (for garnish)
Instructions
- Bring a large pan of salted water to a boil. One tablespoon of salt for 4 litres of water is a good start!
- Peel the garlic and dice it as finely as you can.
- Roughly chop the anchovy fillets.
- Roughly chop the capers.
- Cut a cross into the skin at the base of the tomatoes, and when the water is boiling, drop them in for 30 seconds. Transfer them to a bowl of ice-cold water, allow them to sit for 2 minutes and then peel, deseed and cut into 5mm (¼") dice.
- Drop your pasta into the boiling water and cook as per the instructions on the pack, removing 90 seconds from the cooking time.
- Heat a frying pan (28cm or 11") over a medium-high heat, and when hot, add the olive oil. Add the garlic and anchovies and cook for 60 seconds.
- Then throw in the bacon and cook until golden. This should be pretty much when the pasta is ready to be drained.
- Pick any tough stalks from the spinach.
- Drain the pasta, reserving a little (75ml or ⅓ cup) of the cooking water and add the pasta to the garlic, bacon, and anchovies.
- Add the spinach, capers and tomatoes along with the freshly ground black pepper.
- Throw in the spinach with 2-3 tablespoons of the pasta water and add a lid for 60 seconds, then toss until the spinach wilts. If you need more pasta water to create a silky coating after you have wilted the spinach, go right ahead.
- Dress with fresh basil leaves and serve.
Jonathan
Sunday 29th of May 2022
This was delicious! I substituted anchovy paste for the anchovies. I also used pancetta instead of bacon. I cooked the pancetta first and added the anchovy paste and garlic when the pancetta was almost done. I'd be afraid of burning the garlic if I cooked it first. Otherwise I made it as instructed. I'll make it again, perhaps with a squeeze of lemon next time.
Brian Jones
Monday 6th of June 2022
Glad you enjoyed it, Jonathan!
Claudia
Friday 1st of February 2019
This is truly a work of art. I have never had anything like it but surely would love it. You are one talented chef. Thanks for sharing your talents with us.
Danielle
Friday 1st of February 2019
I love squid ink pasta. It's one of my favorite ever pastas! This sound delicious with the bacon ( I also love bacon LOL). I like that you used a lighter sauce so the flavor of the pasta comes through.
shelby
Friday 1st of February 2019
I have never had squid ink pasta, but it is an absolutely gorgeous and elegant looking dish! I would definitely give it a try!
Shinta
Friday 1st of February 2019
I've always been curious about squid ink pasta, and I like that you've explained the details of the flavors of squid ink. The dish is plated so well, it looks so elegant! Must get my hands on some squid ink spaghetti soon.