Creamy Bacon and Cherry Tomato Pasta

If you need to cook for a small group of people quickly, this Creamy Bacon and Cherry Tomato Pasta is perfect. Requiring only 4 ingredients it's ready in just 15 minutes making this an easy budget recipe that will suit any impromptu lunch time gathering.

Keep a tub of soft cream cheese with garlic & herb in the fridge as it's just perfect for this recipe and a brilliant shortcut (saves fiddling with fresh garlic if you're in a hurry). As this dish is fairly inexpensive to make it justifies splashing out on cherry tomatoes, which give extra sweetness. The supermarkets sell large boxes of cherry tomatoes now available all year round which are perfect for this dish.

This dish has been tested on six hungry kids who all enjoyed it as you can see below:

Grown ups will also enjoy it, especially if you top with crumbly goats cheese and fresh basil before you serve - heaven!

Time:  15 mins
Cost:  88p per serving
Calories:  527 per serving

Creamy Bacon and Cherry Tomato Pasta: Serves 6 hungry people:

• 600g fusilli pasta (or any pasta shapes)
• 8 rashes bacon
• 650g cherry tomatoes
• 250g light soft cream cheese with garlic & herbs
• 100g goats cheese (optional)
• Fresh basil (optional)
• Salt & pepper to taste
• A little oil for frying

1. Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the packet.
2. While the pasta is cooking, cut the bacon into strips (removing the rind) and halve the cherry tomatoes. Fry the bacon in a little oil unti just cooked over a medium heat. Add the tomatoes and stir frequently increasing the heat until they are cooked through and soft, but not mushy.
3. Drain the pasta saving some of the cooking water. Return the pasta to the pan and add the soft cheese. Stir well until the cheese has coated all of the pasta. Use a little of the cooking water to loosen the cheese to help coat the pasta.
4. Add the bacon and tomatoes, stir until evenly combined. Serve sprinkled with goats cheese and fresh basil if you like.

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