How to Make Enzo's Spaghetti all'Amatriciana - A Step-by-Step Guide

Enzo's Spaghetti all'Amatriciana is a classic Italian pasta dish that hails from the town of Amatrice in the Lazio region of Italy. This savory and satisfying dish is a favorite in Italian homes and restaurants, known for its rich and flavorful sauce that perfectly complements the al dente pasta.

The star of this dish is the sauce, which is made from a few simple but delicious ingredients - ripe tomatoes, pancetta or guanciale, Pecorino cheese, and a touch of spicy red pepper flakes....

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Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 12 ounces guanciale (cured pork jowl), sliced and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1 cup diced onion
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • ½ cup white wine
  • 1 (28 ounce) can whole Italian plum tomatoes (such as San Marzano)
  • 1 cup water, divided
  • 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
  • 2 (16 ounce) packages spaghetti
  • 1 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese
  • 2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil leaves

Information

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 1 hr 20 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr 35 mins
  • Servings: 10
  • Yield: 10 servings

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add guanciale and cook, stirring frequently until slightly browned, about 7 minutes. Remove guanciale to a plate. Leave a bit of the rendered fat in the skillet and discard the rest.
  • Add onion to the skillet and cook and stir until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and red pepper flakes; cook for 1 minute. Return guanciale to the skillet and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Pour in white wine and cook until wine has reduced slightly, about 3 minutes.
  • Stir in canned tomatoes, breaking up whole tomatoes with a spoon. Pour 1/3 cup water into the tomato can, swirl around to rinse the can, and pour into the skillet with remaining 2/3 cup water and tomato paste. Bring sauce to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour.
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, 10 to 12 minutes. Ladle out about 1/2 cup of the pasta water, add to the sauce in the skillet, and mix well. Drain spaghetti and stir into the sauce until well combined.
  • Sprinkle generous amounts of Pecorino Romano cheese over each serving, and garnish with basil.
  • Nutrition

    671 cal.

    • Total Fat: 31g
    • Saturated Fat: 11g
    • Cholesterol: 43mg
    • Sodium: 405mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 76g
    • Dietary Fiber: 5g
    • Total Sugars: 7g
    • Protein: 19g
    • Vitamin C: 13mg
    • Calcium: 185mg
    • Iron: 5mg
    • Potassium: 619mg