Recipes Rotelle with Bacon, Watercress, and Cherry Tomatoes Be the first to rate & review! Here watercress and cherry tomatoes cook for only a matter of minutes, just long enough to soften them slightly. The watercress adds a nice bite, but if you don't like that effect, try strips of romaine or another mild green.Plus: More Pasta Recipes and Tips By Food & Wine Editors Updated on June 12, 2017 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: © Melanie Acevedo Yield: 4 Ingredients 1/2 pound sliced bacon, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch strips 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved 1 teaspoon salt 3/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper 1 bunch watercress (about 5 ounces), tough stems removed 3/4 pound rotelle 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 scallion including green top, cut into thin slices Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving Directions In a large frying pan, cook the bacon until golden brown and just crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Pour off all but 1 teaspoon of the fat. Add the tomatoes, salt, and pepper to the pan. Cook over moderate heat, stirring, until the tomatoes soften slightly, about 3 minutes. Add the watercress and cook, stirring, until just wilted, about 1 minute. In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the rotelle until just done, about 12 minutes. Reserve 3/4 cup of the pasta water. Drain the pasta and toss with the bacon, 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water, the tomato mixture, the butter, and the olive oil. If the pasta seems dry, add more of the reserved pasta water. Top with the sliced scallions. Serve with grated Parmesan. Suggested Pairing A straightforward white wine will be best. Either a Pinot Blanc from Alsace in France or a California Chenin Blanc will have enough body to stand up to the acidity of the tomatoes and the saltiness of the bacon in this dish. Rate it Print