I love long weekends, I especially love the fact that I have more time to do the things I enjoy doing and don’t have to rush and get everything done. As much as I love long weekends, I hate when they are over.
Yesterday was Labor day and I know everyone makes burgers and hot dogs for these long weekends, but I was in the mood for pasta, plus I can have leftovers to take to work for lunch.
I for one love pasta dishes, my husband not so much, so that’s why there are always left overs. But you know why I love pasta dishes? Because they are so easy to make and because you can just throw whatever you have in your fridge and make one delicious meal.
So that’s what I did for this pasta dish, I did not use a recipe, but used whatever ingredients I had. I had some chicken breasts and some bacon so that’s what I threw in my pasta.
The sauce is very simple to make, chicken, bacon, onion, diced tomatoes and I threw in some sour cream to turn it into a blush sauce. I also added some hot sauce to spice it up a bit. I only used half a package of rigatoni here because I only wanted 4 servings, but feel free to double the recipe.
This pasta turned out amazing, so delicious, creamy and cheesy. You’ll love it.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 lb uncooked rigatoni pasta, cooked according to package instructions
- 1 chicken breast, boneless, skinless, cut into small pieces
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 6 slices bacon
- 2 tbsp Frank's hot sauce
- 1 can (2 cups) diced tomatoes
- fresh basil, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- fresh Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
- In a large skillet, add the bacon and cook it until it starts rendering some fat. Add the chicken, onion and garlic and cook until chicken is no longer pink and is cooked through. Add diced tomatoes, water, basil, hot sauce, and cook for 10 minutes. Add sour cream and stir. If needed add salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the pasta to the skillet, add the mozzarella cheese and toss it all together to make sure all pasta is covered in the cheese and sauce.
- Grate with fresh Parmesan cheese and serve warm.
Enjoy!
Do you chop up the bacon and then cook it or the whole slices?
I used to cook the whole slices of bacon, but I found it easier to chop them up first and then cook them.
Substituted leftover (cooked) turkey for the chicken. VERY yummy!!!!
Glad you liked it Ellie!
I live in Australia so I cannot get “Frank’s Hot Sauce”, what would you suggest as a substitute?
Hi Kim
Not really sure what’s available in Australia, how about Tabasco sauce?
I saw your recipe on pinterest and decided to try it. It was delicious and I’ll be making it again and again! Thanks!
I’m so glad you liked it.
This recipe is delicious! A new favorite! Thanks for sharing, Jo!
Anytime Nick.