Pasta Amatriciana

My version of a favorite restaurant dish. The sauce is very flexible--you can vary the amounts of garlic, wine and red pepper flakes to suit your tastes. This sauce has a great smoky, bacony flavor and makes a wonderful meal served with pasta, a salad and fresh, crusty bread.

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 2  tablespoons olive oil
• 1  medium onion, chopped
• 3  garlic cloves, chopped (you can vary the amount depending on how much you like garlic)
• 4  slices bacon, chopped (do not use maple-flavored bacon)
• 3⁄4 cup white wine
• 1 (28 ounce) can tomato puree
•  red pepper flakes

Directions

1. Place enough olive oil in a large sauce pan to cover the bottom and heat over medium flame.
2. Place onions, garlic and bacon in pan and saute for about 5 minutes or until bacon is cooked through.
3. Add wine and bring to a boil for about 3-4 minutes.
4. Add tomatoes and then fill the empty tomato can about halfway with water and add to pan.
5. Add as much or as little red pepper flakes as you like.
6. Simmer over low heat for about 1/2 hour.
7. Serve with penne pasta (or pasta of your choice).