Rice Cooker Tomato
Bacon Pasta

Make a creamy, rich tomato and bacon fusilli entirely in your rice cooker. This effortless one-pot meal requires zero boiling and minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

• 2 servings dry fusilli pasta
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 4-5 slices raw bacon
• 100 ml milk
• as needed boiling water
• 2 slices processed cheese
• to taste salt and black pepper
• to taste chopped celery leaves

Instructions

1. 1Add the dry pasta

   

   Begin by placing two servings of dry fusilli pasta directly into your empty rice cooker pot.

   Tip: Fusilli works well because the spirals hold onto the sauce, but you can easily substitute it with penne, macaroni, or your favorite short pasta.
2. 2Add red bell peppers

   

   Next, add the freshly chopped red bell peppers over the dry pasta. This will add a touch of sweetness and vibrant color to the final dish.

   Tip: Chop the bell peppers into uniform, bite-sized pieces so they cook at the same rate as the other ingredients.
3. 3Pour in the tomatoes

   

   Empty one can of diced tomatoes into the pot. The juices from the tomatoes will act as a flavorful cooking liquid, being absorbed by the pasta as it cooks.

   Tip: Using high-quality canned plum or diced tomatoes makes a significant difference in building a rich flavor base.
4. 4Add the bacon

   

   Layer slices of raw bacon directly over the tomatoes and pasta. As the rice cooker heats up, the bacon will render its savory fat and infuse the entire dish with a rich, smoky flavor.

   Tip: If you prefer more even distribution, you can roughly chop the bacon before adding it to the pot.
5. 5Add a splash of milk

   

   Pour about 100 milliliters of milk over the mixture. The milk will slowly simmer with the tomato juices, creating a creamy and rich sauce.

   Tip: Whole milk yields the creamiest results, but you can swap it for half-and-half or a non-dairy alternative if you prefer.
6. 6Add boiling water

   

   Carefully pour enough boiling water into the pot just to cover all the ingredients. This ensures there is sufficient liquid to cook the pasta perfectly without making it overly soggy.

   Tip: Be careful not to drown the ingredients; filling it just to the top of the food level is the key to perfectly cooked rice-cooker pasta.
7. 7Add the cheese slices

   

   Place two slices of processed cheese directly on top of the pasta, bacon, and vegetable mixture in the rice cooker. The cheese will melt into the liquid as it cooks, creating a rich and creamy sauce for the dish.

   Tip: Processed cheese melts exceptionally well, ensuring a smooth and evenly distributed creaminess without clumping.
8. 8Mix the ingredients

   

   Using a spatula or tongs, give all the ingredients a good stir to combine them. Gently press the cheese and vegetables down so everything is evenly submerged in the liquid and milk.

   Tip: Ensuring the pasta is mostly covered by the liquid will help it cook perfectly and absorb all the savory flavors.
9. 9Start the rice cooker

   

   Close the lid of the rice cooker securely and press the start or cook button. Let the machine do the work of boiling the liquid and simmering the pasta until it is perfectly tender.

   Tip: Avoid opening the lid during the cooking process to ensure no steam escapes, which is crucial for cooking the pasta evenly.
10. 10Check the cooked pasta

    

    Once the cooking cycle finishes, carefully open the lid. You will find the pasta fully cooked and bubbling gently in a thickened, creamy tomato and bacon sauce.

    Tip: Give the pasta a quick stir right after opening to redistribute the melted cheese that may have pooled on top.
11. 11Season with salt

    

    Add a pinch of salt to the cooked pasta right in the pot. Since the bacon and cheese already contribute some saltiness, its best to taste the sauce first before adding more.

    Tip: Seasoning at the very end allows you to perfectly control the final taste profile of the dish.
12. 12Finish with black pepper

    

    Sprinkle a layer of black pepper over the pasta to introduce a warm, subtle heat that complements the rich tomato and cheese sauce. Stir well to mix the seasonings evenly throughout the dish.

    Tip: Freshly ground black pepper will provide a much more vibrant aroma than pre-ground pepper.
13. 13Toss and serve

    

    Using metal tongs, vigorously toss the hot cooked pasta, melted cheese, bacon, and seasonings together right in the pot. Ensure the melted cheese and tomatoes are evenly distributed to create a creamy, cohesive sauce coating every noodle.

    Tip: Toss the pasta while it is still piping hot so the cheese melts seamlessly and coats the ingredients evenly.

Storing & Reheating

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions