Spaghetti with spicy tomato, bacon & mushroom sauce

This delicious spaghetti dish is ready in under 15 minutes and you could serve it cold for a packed lunch the next day!

Prep: 5 mins
Cooking: 20-25 mins
Serves: 4

Nutritional information:
Energy(kcal) 453
Protein 18.6
Fat (g) 13.4
Of which saturates (g) 3.7
Carbohydrate (g) 68.9
Of which sugars (g) 6.6
Fibre (g) 4.0
Salt (g) 1.3

Two of your 5-A-DAY

What you need:

350g/12oz spaghetti
15ml/1tbsp olive oil
150g/5oz smoked streaky bacon, sliced
250g pack white closed cup mushrooms, sliced
400g can chopped tomatoes with garlic
2.5ml/½ tsp dried chilli flakes (according to taste)
45ml/3 tbsp chopped fresh flat parsley
pinch of caster sugar
salt and freshly ground black pepper

What you do:

Cook the spaghetti in a large pan of boiling salted water for 10 mins or according to packet instructions.
Meanwhile, heat a non-stick frying pan and when hot, add the oil and bacon, then sauté for 3-4 mins, then add the mushrooms and cook for 5 mins or until the bacon and mushrooms are golden.
Add the chopped tomatoes and chilli and simmer over a high heat for 3-4 mins or until the sauce has reduced. Remove from the heat, stir in the sugar and season to taste.
Drain the spaghetti in a colander and return to the pan, add the spaghetti to the sauce and toss well to mix. Finally add the parsley and serve.

Handy cook's tips:

This version of the classic Italian recipe, spaghetti Amatriciana is a perfect example of fast food as it should be - whilst the pasta cooks the sauce is prepared all ready to eat in less than 15 mins! What's more any leftovers could be served cold the next day as a pasta salad in a packed lunch box.

Mushroom Bureau

Not only are mushrooms inexpensive and versatile, they are also satisfying, delicious and nutritious. Their succulent and unique meaty taste adds depth and gives a balanced flavour to dishes, making them a scrumptious meat substitute.