Saturday Beefcake all'Amatriciana

Spaghetti all’Amatriciana

Mario Batali
Molto Gusto (2010)
(6 servings)

Kosher salt
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 ounces sliced guanciale or pancetta, or good American bacon, cut into 1/2-inch wide strips
1 medium red onion, halved lengthwise, ends trimmed, and cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch wide slices
1/4 cup tomato paste
1-1/2 to 2 teaspoons hot red pepper flakes
3/4 cup Pomì strained tomatoes, simmered until reduced by half
1 pound spaghetti
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus extra for serving
1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano
1/3 cup coarsely chopped fresh Italian parsley






Bring 6 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot and add 3 tablespoons kosher salt.

Meanwhile, combine the oil, guanciale, and onion in another large pot and cook over medium-high heat until the guanciale is lightly browned and the onion is softened, about 7 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the reduced strained tomatoes and remove from heat.




Drop the pasta into the boiling water and cook until just al dente. Drain, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water.




Add the pasta and 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water to the guanciale and stir and toss over medium heat until the pasta is well coated (add a splash or two more of the reserved pasta water if necessary to loosen the sauce). Stir in the cheeses and parsley and serve immediately, with additional grated Parmigiano on the side.



Elieser Ambrosio is from Brazil. His surname indicates Italian ancestry. Americans are very fond of making pasta dishes main courses. One of Mario Batali's is presented here along with Mr. Ambrosio, the kind of man we are fond of making a main course.