Weeknight Pasta: A Simple Pepper and Bacon Recipe in Twenty Minutes

Some recipes earn a permanent place in the weekly rotation because they’re quick, cheap and loved by everyone at the table. This is one of them.

Ingredients (serves two)

• 200 g spaghetti
• 100 g bacon, chopped
• 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• 40 g hard cheese, finely grated
• A splash of the pasta cooking water

Method

Cook the pasta in well-salted water. Meanwhile, fry the bacon until crisp and add the pepper for the last thirty seconds so it becomes fragrant.

Drain the pasta, keeping a cup of the water. Toss the spaghetti with the bacon, then add the cheese and a little water, stirring quickly until glossy. Serve straight away with extra pepper.

For a vegetarian version, swap the bacon for sautéed mushrooms and a knob of butter.