chef john's penne with sauce

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 4 ounces bacon, chopped
• 1 small sprig fresh rosemary
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 3 cups prepared marinara sauce
• 3/4 cup water
• 1 (14.5 ounce) package multigrain penne pasta (such as barilla®)
• 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Recipe

Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 50 mins Ready Time: 1 hr 10 mins


• cook and stir bacon and rosemary sprig with olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat until bacon renders its fat but is not crisp, about 5 minutes. pour into the skillet, standing back to avoid any flare-ups. raise heat to high and continue to cook until the reduces to about 2 tablespoons.
• pour heavy cream into skillet, stir briefly, and add black pepper; bring sauce to a boil. reduce heat to medium; cook and stir until sauce has slightly reduced, 3 to 4 minutes. mix marinara sauce and water into cream mixture and bring to a simmer. lower heat and simmer sauce 20 to 25 minutes to blend flavors.
• fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a boil. stir in penne and return to a boil. cook pasta, stirring occasionally, until cooked through but still chewy, about 10 minutes; drain and return to pot. pour sauce over penne and stir to combine. turn off heat, cover pot with a lid, and let stand 5 minutes for pasta to absorb sauce. serve sprinkled with parmesan cheese.