Russian-style pasta with bacon and horseradish

2 servings

15 minutes

Russian-style pasta with bacon and horseradish is a cozy and hearty dish that embodies the spirit of home cooking. Based on traditional pasta but enhanced with unexpected Russian notes, it surprises with the combination of smoked bacon, aromatic garlic, and spicy horseradish. The secret of its flavor lies in the harmony of soft pasta, tender melted cheese, and a light crunch from cabbage that adds textural depth. Tomato paste enriches the dish with a slight tanginess while black pepper emphasizes its richness. The origins of such a combination can be found in Russian gastronomic boldness—combining simple ingredients into vibrant and memorable flavors. Perfect for a cozy family dinner, it can be complemented with a shot of good drink to enhance the flavor palette.

Energy value per serving

• Calories: 643.6
• Proteins: 18g
• Fats: 28g
• Carbohydrates: 80.8g

Ingredients

• Pasta: 200 g
• Boiled and smoked pork belly: 100 g
• Onion: 1 head
• White cabbage: 30 g
• Water: 50 ml
• Tomato paste: 2 tbsp
• Salt: to taste
• Ground black pepper: to taste
• Garlic: to taste
• Horseradish: to taste
• Dried parsley: to taste
• Vegetable oil: to taste
• Hard cheese: to taste

Cooking steps

1. We boil pasta made from durum wheat in salted water (since pasta is Russian-style, we use shapes like penne or spirals that can be eaten with a spoon instead of twirling on a fork).

   Required ingredients:

   • Pasta: 200 g

2. In a deep pan (or a steel pot — whatever you have :)) we heat a little vegetable oil.

   Required ingredients:

   • Vegetable oil:  to taste

3. We cut the smoked brisket into strips and ruthlessly throw it into a pan with heated oil.

   Required ingredients:

   • Boiled and smoked pork belly: 100 g

4. We chop young onions into feathers, sharpening the knife to shed fewer tears. Then we add it to the chicken breast with oil. We lightly salt and generously sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper. We mix it.

   Required ingredients:

   • Onion: 1 head
   • Salt:  to taste
   • Ground black pepper:  to taste

5. Drain the water from the cooked pasta (you can leave a little broth). The pasta is draining...

   Required ingredients:

   • Water: 50 ml

6. And here is an unexpected ingredient — cabbage. I chopped it finely. The taste of cabbage was not felt, but there was a pleasant 'crunch' in the dish. Or maybe some vitamins got in too :)

   Required ingredients:

   • White cabbage: 30 g

7. We finely chop a clove (or more) of garlic and add it to the stew. Alternatively, we can use a dry mix of dried garlic and chili pepper — it will be good.

   Required ingredients:

   • Garlic:  to taste

8. Add tomato paste, pasta water, and mix (you can add dried herbs (this is an express recipe — we don't have fresh... parsley — because it's in Russian :)).

   Required ingredients:

   • Tomato paste: 2 tablespoons
   • Dried parsley:  to taste

9. Now — pasta! Add the pasta to the pan, mix it, and turn off the gas (I have a gas stove). You can cover it with something to keep the temperature — while you call to the table and get the plates out...

   Required ingredients:

   • Pasta: 200 g

10. We place the express pasta in plates. We grate hard cheese (this was the first time using Maasdam, but Lithuanian Parmesan will also do) directly into the plate.

    Required ingredients:

    • Hard cheese:  to taste

11. And here is another unexpected place in the recipe — horseradish. Of course, if you have fresh root, you could grate it earlier, but if not, take a decent canned one (you can find sharp and not too vinegary ones from Ukrainian or Belarusian production) and add it to the plate to taste.

    Required ingredients:

    • Horseradish:  to taste

12. We mix and eat. Accessories in the form of a poured shot glass are from possibilities and desires.