Pasta Rustica - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 pound rotini or fusili pasta
6 slices bacon
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 medium onions, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup chopped parsley
4 cloves garlic, minced
Salt (optional)
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 (28 ounce) can plum tomatoes, undrained, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup Lindsay(R) Black Ripe Pitted Olives or Lindsay(R) Green Ripe Select Olives sliced, drained
2 tablespoons capers, drained
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large deep skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Drain bacon on paper towel; cut or break into 1/2-inch pieces.
Discard bacon drippings from skillet; add oil. Cook onions in oil over medium heat 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add bell pepper, parsley, garlic and pepper flakes; cook 2 minutes. Add tomatoes and reserved bacon; simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in olives and oregano; simmer 2 minutes. Season to taste with salt, if desired.
Drain pasta; toss with sauce and cheese. Transfer to serving plates and serve with additional cheese, if desired.