Ingredients:
– 400g spaghetti
– 150g Guanciale (or pancetta or bacon)
– 2 fresh tomatoes
– 1 small onion
– 1 garlic clove
– 50g grated Parmesan cheese
– 1 tablespoon tomato paste
– Pepper to taste
– Olive oil
– Salt
Instructions:
1. First, start by preparing the ingredients. Peel and chop the onion and garlic. Cut the tomatoes into small cubes. Cut the Guanciale into small pieces.
2. Heat up a large pot of water to boil the spaghetti. Add some salt to it and stir.
3. In a large pan, heat up some olive oil and add the chopped Guanciale. Cook for 5-7 minutes until it becomes crispy and golden brown. Remove the Guanciale and set it aside on a plate.
4. In the same pan, add the chopped onion and garlic. Cook for a few minutes until the onion is translucent.
5. Add the diced tomatoes to the pan, and cook for around 10 minutes until they become soft and juicy.
6. Add the tomato paste to the pan and stir until completely blended with the tomatoes. Cook for 5 more minutes.
7. Add the Guanciale back to the pan.
8. By this time, the spaghetti should be cooked. Drain the spaghetti, reserving some of the cooking water.
9. Add the spaghetti to the pan with the tomato and Guanciale. Stir everything together and cook for 1-2 minutes. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved cooking water to loosen it up.
10. Season with black pepper to taste.
11. Serve the Amatriciana pasta in individual bowls, topped with grated Parmesan cheese.
Tips for making the perfect Amatriciana pasta:
– Use good-quality Guanciale or pancetta, as it is one of the key ingredients in this dish. If you can’t find them, bacon makes a good substitute.
– Use ripe and juicy tomatoes for the sauce. They will add a lot of flavour to the dish.
– Be careful with the salt, as the Guanciale and Parmesan cheese are already quite salty.
– You can also add some chili flakes to the sauce to give it some heat.
In conclusion, making Amatriciana pasta is a simple yet delicious way to enjoy Italian cuisine at home. With just a few ingredients and easy steps, you can create a hearty, flavourful meal that is sure to impress your family and friends. We hope this recipe will become a new favourite in your kitchen. Buon Appetito!