Make classic Bucatini all’Amatriciana with this simple recipe and you’ll have dinner on the table in less than half an hour! A simple combination of tender bucatini noodles, spicy tomato sauce, pancetta (or homemade mock pancetta) and cheese, it’s likely to become one of your favorite busy day meals!
I first tried Bucatini all’Amatriciana (my first Pasta Aglio e Olio too) at Trinacria , a tiny Italian restaurant in Olympia, Washington. It’s the kind of place that you could mistake for a dive: lettuce green walls and neon lights, rickety chairs and inexpensive wine. But it’s iconic in Olympia, well known for fantastic food, curt service (Enjoying the music one evening, Keith and I asked our server what it was. Her quick reply, “Annoying.” We liked her immediately.) and the friendly but quirky first generation Italian owner, Eugenio.
Despite living in the United States for decades, Eugenio spoke with a strong accent. I once asked him about the ingredients in his Amatriciana, his reply, “Oh yes, yes…I start with…and then…” As he rattled off the ingredients and preparation, his accent became mysteriously stronger, as though he didn’t really want to share his secrets.
Understandable.
So I decided to figure it out on my own and after a few tries, I had it.
Do not be alarmed when you see the short ingredient list and simple instructions, thinking that something so easy can’t be spectacularly good. I promise it is. In fact, I predict it will become one of your go-to pasta recipes.
Easy Bucatini all'Amatriciana
Ingredients
- 1/4 pound pancetta or mock pancetta diced small (see recipe notes for mock pancetta recipe
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion sliced into thin slivers
- 4 cloves garlic thinly sliced
- 28-ounce can whole tomatoes
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes or more
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pound dry bucatini pasta
- 2 ounces aged pecorino cheese grated
- 1/4 cup Italian parsley finely chopped
Instructions
- Cook and stir pancetta in a large skillet over medium heat until brown. Remove from heat and transfer pancetta to a paper towel. Pour off most or all of the fat from the skillet, but no need to wash it.
- Return skillet to stove over medium heat; add olive oil, onion and garlic. Cook and stir until onion is translucent. Add tomatoes, red chili flakes and pancetta; cook and stir, crushing tomatoes with the spoon. Simmer, stirring occasionally for 15 minutes or until sauce has thickened considerably. (That sounds vague, but I bet you'll know it when you see it. 🙂 )
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook bucatini according to package directions and drain.
- Once sauce is done, add cooked pasta; cook and stir until combined and heated through. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to serving platter and sprinkle grated pecorino and parsley over the top. Serve.
Trinacria was my favorite place in the whole world. Eugenio retired so it closed. So sad.
Wasn’t it amazing!? We have such wonderful memories there. xo
Yum, one of my favorite pasta dishes! Love the sauce!
Thanks so much, Jennifer!
these recipes look good.
Hi Marissa
What’s the difference in taste between pecorino cheese and Parmigiano-Reggiano. I have only used Parmigiano .
Hi Jackie,
They’re two of my favorite cheeses and really are different. Pecorino is made with sheep’s milk and is very nutty and creamier than Parmigiano-Reggiano (made with cow’s milk). If I had to choose just one of them, I’d give the nod to Pecorino. I often use these cheeses interchangeably in recipes, but for all’Amatriciana, it’s always Pecorino. 🙂
This bucatini looks incredible, Marissa! Bucatini is actually my favorite kind of noodle, especially when it’s paired with a red sauce. I can’t wait to try this recipe out – you always make me want to run to my kitchen!!
Thank you! I love bucatini too – such good, toothy bite!
Love how brilliant you are at figuring out the ingredients that go into a dish – this might be a short ingredients list, but the combo of flavors is fantastic!
You are too kind, Shashi. I can’t really take credit – honestly, I was so surprised to find out how few ingredients were involved. So simple and so good. xo
Gorgeous dish! I love when travels inspire us in the kitchen and this delicious bowl of pasta with homemade pancetta is just what my body craves today. Beautiful breathtaking photos! Sharing everywhere!
Awww. thank you so much! And, me too – food inspiration is one of the main reasons I travel!
Oh yes! I bet this is soooo good! I’m a fan of pasta with plain marinara sauce, and this is like that but a hundred times better of course because of that super tasty pancetta. Just love your photos, too… so colourful!
So sweet, Helen. Thank you. xo
Sounds like an fun place! Hey, as long as the food is great, it’s all good. Don’t you just love when a dish inspires you to make your own? I’m so glad you recreated this amazing dish to share with us! And I’ve loving that you’ve included your pancetta recipe as well 🙂
Exactly. It’s all about the food… 😉
So many times the dives have the best food! When Mike and I lived in Buffalo there was a place that wasn’t anything to look at from the outside. It was in a run-down area and it looked pretty run-down itself. Stepping inside was a different matter though, and the food was second to none! I loved reading your story about asking for the recipe – very mysterious indeed, lol! This looks lovely. xoxo
It’s funny because those great little places often get missed unless you know a local with inside info! Eugenio is such a sweet guy – a character with closely guarded secret recipes. I’d still LOVE to how he makes his dark chocolate tiramisu – to. die. for. xo
Gorgeous! This is one of my favorite pasta dishes, I fell in love with it after first having it in Venice. Seeing your beautiful dish brings back so many wonderful memories for me. And just so you know, I’m still drooling over your pancetta post 🙂
Oh, I love that Sonali! Venice is amazing isn’t it? I was knocked out by the beautiful veggies and seafood at the Rialto market – you’ve got me dreaming of Italy. 🙂
Simplistically delicious! Actually I believe you were the one last January who turned me on to the wonderful bucatini pasta. Never had it prior always spaghetti or linguini, but it’s a house favorite as I am sure this can be. We would have loved that server, too! 😉 #LovePancetta
That’s awesome, Kevin! Yeah, you and David like the sassy types, us too! 😉
Haha that’s hilarious how he avoided answering the question. I love pancetta in pasta dishes. It’s so good! 😀
I agree! Thanks, Lorraine. xo
Hi Marissa! Bucatini is one of my favorite pastas! Before I could get it locally, I ordered some over the internet, the price of the pasta was very reasonable but the shipping tripled the cost! It was worth it! This sounds so simple and simply delicious! 🙂
Thank you! And that’s a great idea, Dorothy. It can be a little hard to come by… but so worth the effort!
This is one of my favorite pasta dishes! Looks delicious and I’m sure it’d be great with your mock pancetta 🙂
Thanks, Sabrina!