Penne Aurore with Bacon

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees (F).

Place the 1/2 pound of bacon on a rack over a foil lined baking sheet (with sides to catch the grease) and bake for about 10 -15 minutes until crispy. Place on paper towels to absorb the extra grease and let cool.

In a medium sized skillet add the olive oil and heat over medium heat. Add the 2 cloves of minced garlic and saute for 30 seconds.

Add the wine and reduce for 1 minute.

Add the tomato sauce, the diced tomatoes, and the half and half and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat to medium and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.

Add the chopped mushrooms and cook another 5 minutes.

Stir in the minced basil and salt and pepper to taste. (For an extra kick add 1/3 teaspoons of red pepper flakes).

Depending on your choice of pasta it needs to be timed to be finished when you add the basil to the above sauce. Cook pasta in boiling water according to package instructions.

Crumble the bacon and stir it into the sauce. Drain the pasta, stir it into the sauce.

Dish into 4 separate bowls, sprinkle with fresh grated parmesan and some fresh basil.

Serve with some crusty bread. A great option . . . Slice some Como bread very thin, add some garlic butter and broil for about 3 minutes.

Enjoy..