Inspired by the dish at pasta pop-up:
https://www.pastapopupsf.com/
I tried to recreate it at home. Won’t be exactly the same since I don’t have access to fresh bucatini pasta and their type of pancetta, but it was a nice new experiment! To make it exactly their style, I would have to add lots more tomato sauce, probably double the recipe — but the pictured amatriciana doesn’t have to be that saucy. But I was pleasantly surprised how well crushed tomato sauce, simmered with salt, pepper, red pepper and basil tastes. Thanks to Kevan, I may not buy canned pasta sauce again. I have to be careful not to overdo it with the pecorino next time — the sauce is the start of the show.
Saute pancetta in EVOO for 15 minutes until fat rendered, remove pancetta. saute onions for 5 minutes in olive oil. Add in crushed tomatoes, S&P, red pepper, basil leaves, simmer for 20 minutes. Stir into cooked bucatini with pecorino romano when done.
Made largely following this recipe:
https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/9811-bucatini-allamatriciana
INGREDIENTS
- ½ pound of unsliced pancetta or prosciutto
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium red onion, peeled and coarsely chopped
- 1 ½ pounds canned tomatoes, preferably imported Italian
- ½ teaspoon hot red-pepper flakes
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pound dried bucatini or perciatelli, preferably imported Italian
- ½ cup freshly grated pecorino, romano or Parmesan cheese
PREPARATION
- Cut the pancetta or prosciutto into chunks less than one-half inch thick. Place in a saucepan with the olive oil and fry over low heat for 15 minutes, until all the fat has been rendered out and the meat is very crisp. Remove the meat from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Add the onion to the pan and saute over medium heat for five minutes.
- Drain the tomatoes, finely chop them and add to the onion in the pan. Season with red-pepper flakes and salt and pepper to taste and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Bring a large pot of cold water to a boil and add salt to taste. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 9 to 12 minutes, depending on the brand. Drain well.
- Transfer the cooked sauce to a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pasta and the reserved meat and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Remove the skillet from the heat, add the cheese and mix very well. Transfer the pasta to a warm platter and serve immediately.