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Very simple, very summery Bucatini Amatriciana. A classic Italian pasta made with dried bucatini pasta, cherry tomatoes, guanciale (or pancetta), rosemary, Pecorino cheese, and plenty of black pepper. This one pot, summer pasta comes together in 20 minutes and is made with just a handful of ingredients. All of which you may just have on hand right now. And most importantly? It’s delicious.
I love a Monday that starts with pasta, don’t you? Currently, I’m all about the simplest of recipes during these long, hot summer days. I love to cook and bake so much. But summer requires low-key dinners, preferably eaten al fresco while watching the summer sunset.
Ahh, that is for sure my ideal Monday night. So nice.
Before I get into the details of this pasta, I first have to say thank you to you all for your response to HBH Super Simple! I am so excited that you all seem so excited for cookbook #2. I really cannot wait to share it with you all this fall. SO MANY brand new recipes, so many photos, so much deliciousness to come. Thank you again for all of your support.
Lastly, I’m so thankful I was able to spend some time with my family last week in Costa Rica. I didn’t get to stay the full 10 days with everyone, but I’m so glad I at least got in some much needed time with them. I already know that the fall is going to be BUSY, but also so fun!
Can’t wait for all that’s ahead in the next few months…
OK. And moving right along.
Let’s talk all things classic Italian style pasta. Meaning let me tell you about this Amatriciana. If you’ve traveled to Italy, you’ve probably had a bowl…or two or three.
First, and most importantly, this pasta has only a handful of ingredients, yet it’s still incredibly delicious. Savory, salty, perfectly seasoned, and every bite leaves you wanting more. This recipe comes from my good friend Claire Thomas. And I’ve been dying to share it with you all ever since Claire shared it with me back in May. We had a fun girl’s night while I was in LA that consisted of pasta for two + a bottle of wine.
Claire likes to call this 2-ingredient pasta, BUT actually…it’s more like 5.
She uses dried bucatini pasta, guanciale, rosemary, canned cherry tomatoes, and Pecorino cheese. Her simple, but very classic, recipe was inspired from her honeymoon trip to Rome. Claire claims it was one of the best pasta dishes she’s ever eaten, and I have to agree.
I was VERY skeptical, but after my first bite, I pretty much fell head over heels for this pasta. It’s heavenly…I know, dramatic…but so very true.
The key to Bucatini Amatriciana is to use high-quality ingredients with only the best flavors. Great bucatini pasta, sweet canned San Marzano cherry tomatoes, and salty guanciale.
Guanciale is an Italian cured meat. It’s kind of similar to bacon, but it’s not smoked and it’s pretty key in this pasta. If you can’t find it (which FYI I cannot), use unsmoked bacon or pancetta, both are great substitutes. The first thing you’ll want to do is cook the guanciale until the fat has rendered. Slowly cooking the guanciale releases the fats and all the flavors. Once the guanciale is crisp, add in fresh rosemary to infuse the fat with even more flavor.
Then the tomatoes. Claire uses canned San Marzano cherry tomatoes, which are insanely good, but slightly tricky to find. I order mine via Amazon (psst…today is Amazon Prime Day, so stock up on all your favorite products!). But if you’re in a pinch, regular San Marzano tomatoes will do the trick too!
Once the sauce is simmering away, toss in the bucatini pasta, a touch of pecorino cheese, and plenty of black pepper.
And. That. Is. It!
Well, I like to finish each bowl of pasta with basil and more Pecorino, but that’s totally optional.
I know it seems a little too easy and a little too simple, but please trust me. This classic Italian style pasta is everything you want out of a bowl of pasta. It’s salty (but in a very delicious way), a little cheesy, heavy on the tomatoes, hinted perfectly with rosemary, and just a slight bit spicy from the black pepper.
DELICIOUS.
What’s truly great about this Bucatini Amatriciana is that even though it is simple enough for a weeknight, it also feels elegant enough to serve at your next dinner party too. Or do as Claire and I like to do. Enjoy for a girl’s night in with a bottle of your favorite wine, and complete with your favorite chick flick.
Maybe add some summery grilled peaches to round out the meal…yes, Monday night perfection!
And with that, enjoy this fun video with Claire and me. See for yourself just how easy this pasta really is.
PS. yes, I am very challenged when it comes to twirling pasta onto my fork.
If you make this bucatini amatriciana be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Watch the How To Video:
Bucatini Amatriciana
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 291 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 pound bucatini pasta
- 1/4 cup chopped guanciale, pancetta, or chopped unsmoked bacon
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 3 cans (14 ounce) San Marzano cherry or regular tomatoes
- freshly cracked black pepper
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano
- fresh basil, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Just before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain.2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the guanciale until just crisp and the fat has rendered. Add the rosemary and red pepper flakes, and cook until fried, about 1 minute. Slowly add the tomatoes, stirring to combine. Add the pasta and toss well, adding a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water, if necessary to bring it all together. Remove the pan from the heat and add the grated Pecorino Romano cheese and season to taste with pepper, and salt, if needed. 3. Divide the pasta among plates and serve immediately topped with fresh basil and additional cheese, if desired.
Hi there! I’m excited to try this recipe for Friends this weekend. Do you think I could substitute Papardelle for the bucatini? I was hoping to make my own fresh pasta!
Hi Kristine! Yes, I think that will be amazing! I hope this and the homemade pasta turn out wonderfully for you! xTieghan
Are the canned tomatoes meant to be drained?
Hi Reese, I do not drain the tomatoes. I use the entire can, liquid and all. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you and happy holidays! xTieghan
Hubby and I just had this. Fabulous and very simple. Used garden grown rosemary and uncured bacon.
Thank you CJ! xTieghan
Loved this recipe!! Everything about it is wonderful. The flavors are perfect. I loved the slight heat. And as a busy mom with lots of littles, you just can’t beat how fast and easy it is!! Served with a simple arugula salad. ?
Sounds amazing Anne! Thank you so much for trying it! xTieghan
I have so many tomatoes from my garden! Do you think I could use those instead?
Hey Kris! Of course! You can use 3-4 cups of roughly chopped tomatoes in place of the canned tomatoes. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
This pasta dish has always been a favorite and I forgot how simple it is to make. I am sitting here eating a bowl of it as I type!! I found the Carmelina San Marzano tomatoes on Amazon, along with some bucatini, and even though I had to buy a bunch of cans, I’ll have them on hand to make this again! I added more cheese because I love cheese 🙂
Thanks again for another great recipe, Tieghan
Thank you so much Cathie! I am so glad you loved this recipe! xTieghan
This recipe was delicious, simple, and quick! I made it for my family tonight and everyone loved it.
Thank you so much Gloria! xTieghan
AAA+
Thank you! xTieghan
I have almost the same recipe but add some white wine in the simmering tomatoes! One of our favorite recipes!
Ooo yum! I hope you try this one Heather! I would love to check out yours too! xTieghan
Hi, this looks so amazing! Can’t wait to give it a try this weekend. By the way, do you have any recommendations for what I can substitute the guanciale/pancetta with – I don’t eat pork, but would still like some meat in the dish!
Thanks,
Fina
Hi There! I would recommend using 1/2 pound of ground chicken or beef, whichever you prefer. That will be great I am sure! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
I love bucatini, it’s one of my fave pastas
I hope you try this Ruth! Thank you so much! xTieghan
Simple and delicious, Tieghan! Thank you for such a great meal…AGAIN!
Thank you Colleen! I am so glad you enjoyed this! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan! Very excited to try this. Have ordered it in restaurants and never knew it was so simple. Can you share where Claire’s fry pan is from? It’s so pretty! Thank you!
Hi there! Claire’s pan was bought at a vintage store, so sadly I don’t have a product link to share. So sorry I could not help! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
Tieghan..on the menu for tonight’s dinner. Picked up all the ingredients this morning and was able to buy Mutti brand cherry tomatoes…excited to try it! Will let you know the results! I’ve never had buscatini pasta before!
I hope you love this recipe Colleen!! Thank you so much! xTieghan
This pasta dish has always been a big favorite of mine. I haven’t seen it with rosemary before, but probably a great addition. Also haven’t see it with the cherry tomatoes either. I think I know one store that may have them. But, Amazon is always there. Can’t wait wait to get some pancetta and revisit this one.
I hope you love this when you get a chance to try it! Thank you Joyce! xTieghan