Ziti with Sweet Peppers, Bacon and Paprika

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.