Bucatini "all' Amatriciana" with Guanciale, Tomato and Pecorino Romano

Bucatini "all' Amatriciana" with Guanciale, Tomato and Pecorino Romano

Bucatini all' Amatriciana is simple enough that it can be prepared in as much time as it takes the water to boil, and with its depth of flavor and brightness the dish can be prepared deliciously with Rigatoni, Campanelle, or Fresh Bucatini.

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Bucatini "all' Amatriciana" with Guanciale, Tomato and Pecorino Romano Recipe

By Chris Becker
Prep time: 10 m
Cook time: 20 m
Servings: 2 entree portions or 4 side portions

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces Della Terra Bucatini* or 6 ounces Della Terra Rigatoni
  • 1 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 ounces guanciale or pancetta, cut into 1/4-inch wide strips
  • Half medium red onion, halved lengthwise with the ends trimmed and 3 center layers discarded, cut the remaining onion into 1/2-inch wide slices
  • Crushed red pepper flake, to taste
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano
  • 1/5 cup flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped

Pots, Pans, and Tools Needed

  • medium saute pan
  • 4 quart pot
  • long handle strainer/sieve
  • wooden spoon

Make the Sauce

  • In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, combine the onions and a splash of water. As soon as the water steams away, add the oil and guanciale, stirring frequently until the guanciale has lightly browned and the onion has softened. About 5 to 7 minutes.
  • Add the tomato paste along with the red pepper flakes and stir until fragrant. Make sure that you mix it into the pan while the other ingredients are still cooking and "toast" the tomato to stain the oil red and fully infuse the flavors.
  • Remove the pan from heat and add a couple splashes of pasta water while stirring together to form a sauce.

Make the Pasta

  • Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil and add 1 tablespoons of kosher salt. Cook the pasta for the suggested time, tasting it at the lower number and cooking until the al dente meets your preference.
  • Using the sieve, remove the cooked pasta and add it to the sauce when it is ready.

Complete the Dish

  • Combine the cooked pasta and sauce along with a splash of pasta water over low-medium heat and stir to coat the pasta.
  • Stir in the parmesan, pecorino, and parsley; toss lightly. If the sauce seems tight, just add a splash or two of pasta water if needed to adjust the sauce consistency. It should coat the pasta well.
  • Transfer the pasta to the plate. Tongs are fine to use to portion and serve the pasta.
  • Sprinkle the remaining cheese as a garnish.

Substitutions

  • PASTA: Rigatini, Campanelle or Fusilli.
  • VEGETARIAN: Omit the bacon and add olive oil to replace the fat.
  • VEGAN: Omit the bacon, use some olive oil and replace the cheese with a good vegan parmesan.

Learn how to adjust the recipe portion.

Referenced products

  • Rigatoni
    Pasta - Rigatoni
    Rigatoni

    Rigatoni

  • Spice - Crushed Red Pepper

    Spice - Crushed Red Pepper

STORY TIME: THAT TIME WHEN A PASTA BLEW MY MIND

As a fresh-faced 19 year old, I was working for free as a stage (pronounced staj) in hopes of gaining a position at a new Roman-style Trattoria called Lupa in New York City. I had never been in a kitchen like it before, and I’m sure I looked like a deer caught in headlights most of the time. In spite of my “greenness”, I persisted and returned as often as they would allow me, and I eventually landed a position as a prep cook.

Bucatini all'Amatriciana was the first pasta I ate at Lupa, and I was blown away. It would still be a couple of years working through the stations before I was finally taught how to make it. It was worth the wait, and this is a dish that I continue to make in a variety of settings.

This dish is simple enough that it can be prepared in as much time as it takes the water to boil for a quick and tasty meal, but with its depth of flavor and brightness, it can confidently be a dish on an elegant tasting menu.

NOTES, TIPS, AND TRICKS

The ingredients matter, quality meals start with quality ingredients.

GUANCIALE vs. PANCETTA vs. BACON

All are good, but they will also influence the sauce differently, so here is my quick overview of the three.

  • Guanciale is the most traditional option and comes from a cut known as pork jowl. It is fatty and melts into the sauce with a deep flavor.
  • Pancetta comes from salt-cured pork belly and is air dried which provides a slightly salty, slightly fatty, porky flavor.
  • Bacon is salt-cured and smoked pork belly. Use thick sliced bacon if you want to add a hint of smokiness to the dish.

HERE'S THE SKINNY ON TOMATO PASTE

  • Tomato paste is concentrated tomato; it is an incredibly versatile ingredient to have on hand in your pantry.
  • Mutti is my preferred choice, because of its bright tomato flavor and consistency that helps form into a sauce easily.
  • Standard tomato paste is a little trickier to use; err on the side of less if you use this version. Make sure to saute the paste in oil for 30 seconds to a couple of minutes to freshen the tomato flavor.
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