Creamy Rose Bacon Udon (2024)

Creamy Rose Bacon Udon. Bouncy udon noodles in a smooth savoury tomato cream sauce with bacon, onions, garlic, fresh tomatoes and zucchini. A delicious and quick meal in under 30 minutes!

What is Creamy Rose Bacon Udon?

Creamy Rose Bacon Udon is an Italian-Asian fusion dish featuring chewy udon noodles in a creamy tomato sauce with bacon and parmesan cheese! The chewy texture of the silky noodles in the wonderful creamy sauce with bacon is totally delectable. Udon and bacon are such an underrated match-made in heaven! I love making this dish when I'm craving udon or a dish with a creamy consistency. This is a great dinner recipe for the whole family to enjoy as there's no vodka or alcohol in it.

This is a Korean cuisine inspired dish as South Koreans love to incorporate combine heavy cream with tomato pasta sauce creating a beautiful "rosé" color. The original rosé sauce from Italy usually contains vodka but this version is alcohol friendly making it accessible and enjoyable for all. In South Korea, you'll find many restaurants that serve fusion dishes like this pink sauce version, a creamy gochujang pasta, kimchi cream pasta, rose tteokbokki and more! Sometimes instead of pasta, they will creatively substitute with ramen or rice cakes aka tteokbokki, which are very chewy and bouncy cakes made of wheat flour and glutinous rice flour.

Ingredients

Please scroll down to below recipe card for exact measurements.

Note: Your Asian grocery store will carry most of the Asian specific ingredients.

• Frozen udon cakes:or sub with fresh udon noodles. If you can't find frozen udon, feel free to substitute with spaghetti or pasta but prepare according to package instructions.
• Bacon: or sub with pork belly
• Tomato:any tomatoes will do. I like using Roma tomatoes for a richer flavor or feel free to use cherry tomatoes
• Zucchini:green or yellow squash will work
• Onion
• Garlic
• Heavy cream:between 18 to 35% M.F
• Marinara sauce:make sure it's one you enjoy!
• Salt to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese:for that cheesy flavor!

How to makeCreamy Rose Bacon Udon

1. Soak frozen udon cakes in hot boiling water just until loosened. Strain immediately. Set aside.
2. Heat a large skillet on medium high heat, cook bacon until dark pink - about 5-7 minutes.
3. Add garlic and onions. Fry until onions are translucent.
4. Toss in diced zucchini and sliced tomatoes. Fry for a couple of minutes.
5. Pour in heavy cream and marinara sauce. Mix and simmer for 10 minutes over medium heat, uncovered. Stirring occasionally.
6. Once the sauce is slightly thicker, season with salt to taste.
7. Add strained udon. Mix well and remove off heat immediately. Optional, garnish with freshly grated parmesan cheese. Enjoy!

Storage & Reheating

This dish will last up to 4 days stored in an airtight container in the fridge. To reheat, microwave for 2-3 minutes or reheat on the stovetop in a pan on medium heat until hot.

Expert Tips

• Frozen udon is highly recommended! The texture is much bouncier and chewier than the vacuumed sealed shelf-stable kind. You can purchase frozen udon in the frozen section at most Asian grocers.
• Do not boil your frozen udon! For this recipe, soak or blanch your frozen udon noodles in hot boiling water just until loosened. Then strain immediately. Since we’re cooking it in the sauce later, we want to avoid overcooking them.
• Heavy Cream is recommended. I know I’ll receive some questions if milk can be used and it can BUT I don’t recommend it as it takes a longer time to reduce and thicken.
• Good Quality Marinara Sauce is Key! Have you ever had a marinara sauce that lacked flavour and depth? I have and it’s not that great especially when you’re hoping for a delicious meal. So for this dish, I would advise to buy a good quality marinara sauce that you love and enjoy.

FAQ

Can I make this dairy-free?

Yes you can omit the parmesan cheese and use your favourite unflavoured dairy-free cream. You can substitute the cream with a cashew cream.

May I omit the zucchini?

Yes, go ahead! You can even substitute with broccoli or another green of your choice that doesn’t release too much flavour to offset the tomato cream sauce.

May I use another type of protein?

Bacon is highly recommended for this recipe or substitute with chicken thigh, chicken breast or pork will work too. Ham, pork belly or sausage are also a great option.

Other Udon recipes you may like!

• UDON CARBONARA
• CREAMY BLACK GARLIC MUSHROOM UDON
• SOY EGG UDON STIR FRY
• BLACK PEPPER BEEF UDON
• GARLIC BUTTER SHRIMP UDON

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