Spaghetti aglio e olio with crispy bacon

Method

• step 1

  Heat 1 tsp of the oil in a non-stick frying pan and cook the bacon over a medium heat for 5-6 mins until crisp. Remove from the heat, leaving the oil behind. Set aside to drain on kitchen paper, then when cool enough to handle, finely chop.

• step 2

  Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil and cook the spaghetti following pack instructions.

• step 3

  A few minutes before the pasta is ready, pour the rest of the oil into the pan and cook the garlic over a medium-low heat for 1-2 mins until fragrant and beginning to brown (don’t let it burn or it will taste bitter).

• step 4

  Drain the pasta, reserving a little pasta water, and tip into the garlic oil. Scatter in the parsley and fold together, adding a splash of pasta water to loosen, if needed. Spoon into bowls and scatter over the bacon.