Creamy Bacon Tomato Pasta

Ingredients:

– 12 oz (340g) penne pasta
– 6 slices bacon or pancetta, diced
– 1 tbsp olive oil
– 1 small onion, finely chopped
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
– 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
– 1/2 cup black olives, sliced (optional)
– 1 cup heavy cream
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions:

1. **Cook Pasta**: Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.

2. **Cook Bacon**: In a large skillet, cook the diced bacon or pancetta over medium heat until crispy. Remove from the skillet and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.

3. **Sauté Vegetables**: Add the olive oil to the skillet with the bacon fat. Sauté the chopped onion until translucent. Add the minced garlic, mushrooms, and cherry tomatoes, and cook for a few more minutes until the vegetables are soft.

4. **Add Cream**: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes until it thickens slightly.

5. **Combine Ingredients**: Add the cooked pasta and the crispy bacon back into the skillet. Stir everything together until the pasta is well coated with the sauce. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste.

6. **Serve**: Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve warm.

This pasta dish should be creamy, flavorful, and satisfying, with a good balance of savory and fresh ingredients. Enjoy!