Túrós Csusza (Farmer's Cheese Pasta with Bacon)

Method

1. 1

   Cook the egg noodles in well-salted boiling water until just tender, then drain, reserving a splash of the cooking water.

2. 2

   Meanwhile, render the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, adding the onion in the last few minutes to soften in the fat.

3. 3

   Toss the hot noodles with the bacon, its fat, and a splash of the reserved pasta water.

4. 4

   Off the heat, fold in the crumbled farmer's cheese so it just begins to melt against the hot noodles.

   💡 Off the heat is key — direct heat turns the cheese grainy instead of creamy.

5. 5

   Serve immediately with a generous dollop of sour cream and a grind of black pepper over each bowl.