BUCATINI ALL'AMATRICIANA
Bucatini Pasta with Sauce from Amatrice

Bucatini all'Amtraciana is a classic of Roman cooking. The name comes from Amatrice, a town in Lazio; where the farmers that travelled down to Rome with their produce, including fresh ewe's milk cheese (pecorino) and mountain pigs, also imported this way of cooking maccheroni and bucatini. It is delicious!

Ingredients

1 pound (450 gr) Bucatini pasta

¼ pound (125 gr) Pancetta (or bacon)

½ onion, chopped

2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

pinch of red pepper flakes (or to taste)

1 cup whole canned tomatoes, chopped

1 tbsp tomato paste

salt (preferably sea salt)

¼ cup of pecorino cheese, grated

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until the onion is golden, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the pepper flakes.

Stir in the tomato paste and cook, stirring for about 1 minute.

Dice the pancetta into small pieces and add to the skillet, stirring until it is transparent.

Chop the tomatoes into small pieces and add to the skillet. Season with ½ teaspoon of salt. Bring to a slow simmer and continue cooking for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add 1 to 2 tablespoons salt (I like to go low on salt) to the boiling water, add the pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta well.

Note: The pasta and the sauce will be ready at the same time.

Add drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce, and toss well with the sauce to heat through.

Place the pasta in 4 individual pasta bowls and spoon over any sauce remaining in the skillet.

Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of grated pecorino cheese and serve at once.

Serves 4

Preparation and Cooking Time:  15 minutes

about the author: Rosemary Gullo

Rosemary is the author of Healthy Italian Cooking.
Healthy Italian Cooking is packed with dozens of tasty recipes and is Easy to Use. Each section takes you step by step through a new meal for your family. It is full of tips, tricks and secrets that will not only show you how to cook healthy Italian food, but will also cut down on cooking time and make dinner preparation simple.

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