Looking for an easy but delicious dinner idea? Try this classic Amatriciana Pasta dish that's sure to satisfy any craving. All you need is a few simple ingredients and our easy-to-follow recipe for a satisfying Italian-inspired meal in no time!
Before you start cooking, make sure you have all the ingredients needed for Amatriciana Pasta. This includes 1 onion, 2 cloves of garlic, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 250g guanciale (or pancetta), 400g of canned tomatoes, red pepper flakes, Pecorino Romano cheese (or Parmesan), linguine or spaghetti and parsley. Not forgetting a pinch or two of salt and ground black pepper for seasoning.
Begin by heating olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot enough, add your guanciale (or pancetta) and cook it until nice and crispy - about 5 minutes should do. As the bacon cooks, make sure to stir occasionally so that it cooks evenly. Once done, remove the bacon from the skillet and set aside. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the rendered fat in the skillet as it will be used later on to cook your onions.
Add the garlic and half of the onion to the skillet with reserved bacon fat, stirring occasionally until both are softened and lightly golden. Next, add a pinch of chili flakes and stir for one minute until fragrant. Then add the crushed tomatoes and season with salt and pepper to taste. Lower the heat, cover the skillet, leaving room for some steam to escape, and simmer for 10 minutes. Lastly, add the cooked guanciale back in and stir for another two minutes before taking off heat.
Once the sauce is done simmering, spoon it over the cooked pasta, stirring in freshly chopped basil leaves. Simmer for an additional two to three minutes to bring the flavors together and serve with freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese on top. Enjoy!
You’ve now created a delicious amatriciana pasta dish that’s ready to serve. Plate the warm pasta and ladle the sauce over it, ensuring that each portion has plenty of sauce and chunks of pancetta for a burst of flavor. To finish off your dinner, sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or basil leaves on top, as well as freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese for an extra layer of texture and umami. Serve with freshly sliced crusty bread to soak up all the wonderful flavors!
