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Ziti with Sweet Peppers, Bacon and Paprika

Ziti with Sweet Peppers, Bacon and Paprika

By Dimitri DemopolousOctober 17, 2023

  • Makes
    4 to 6 servings
  • Cook Time
    30 minutes

Loosely inspired by Hungary’s ubiquitous pepper stew, lescó, this dish combines smoky bacon with stew-y bell peppers and onion, creating a luscious, vegetable-packed sauce. We use extra-starchy pasta water as a thickener, made by boiling the noodles in a bare amount of liquid. Sweet paprika lends bold color and fruity, earthy notes, while lightly browned tomato paste provides umami-rich depth. We love this topped with spoonfuls of ricotta cheese; its creaminess brings everything together beautifully.

Ingredients
  • 1

    pound ziti OR penne

  • Kosher salt and ground black pepper

  • 2

    teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 4

    ounces bacon OR pancetta, roughly chopped

  • 3

    medium red OR yellow bell peppers OR a combination, stemmed, seeded and cut into ½-inch pieces

  • 1

    medium yellow onion, chopped

  • 2

    tablespoons tomato paste

  • 1

    tablespoon sweet paprika

Step 1

In a large pot, bring 3 quarts water to a boil. Add the pasta and 2 teaspoons salt, then cook, stirring often, until al dente. Reserve about 2 cups of the cooking water, then drain. Return the pasta to the pot; set aside.

Step 2

In a 12-inch skillet over medium, combine the oil and bacon; cook, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is crisp, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a small bowl; set aside. Increase to high and heat until the fat is barely smoking. Add the bell peppers, onion and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring once or twice, until the vegetables are charred and tender, 8 to 10 minutes.

Step 3

Add the tomato paste and paprika; cook, stirring often, until the paste slightly sticks to the pan, 2 to 4 minutes. Add 1½ cups of the reserved cooking water and ½ teaspoon pepper, stirring and scraping up any browned bits. Transfer the sauce to the pot with the pasta, add the bacon and cook over medium-high, stirring, until heated through, 2 to 3 minutes; if needed, add reserved cooking water 1 tablespoon at a time if the mixture looks dry. Taste and season with salt and pepper.

Step 4

Optional garnish: Ricotta cheese OR chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley OR sliced scallions OR a combination