There are four main authentic, classic pasta dishes in Rome including Cacio e Pepe, Gricia, Carbonara, and Amatriciana. Each dish is distinctively different, and each is fantastically delicious, but one of the best of this bunch is no doubt the Amatriciana. Commonly served with Bucatini, this dish is known to many as Bucatini all’Amatriciana.

Bucatini all'Amatriciana on plate

This recipe is inspired by the Bucatini all’Amatriciana from Trattoria Da Cesare al Casaletto in Rome– the absolute best place to enjoy this iconic dish in the Eternal City. Other favorite restaurants for this dish also include SantoPalato (made with rigatoni) and Roscioli (also prepared with rigatoni).

RELATED: 20 BEST RESTAURANTS IN ROME

What is Bucatini all’Amatriciana?

In essence, Amatriciana (the “sauce” and all of the amazing flavor for this dish) is made with olive oil, tomatoes, guanciale (cured pork cheek), Pecorino Romano, and shallots (or in some cases onion and garlic). Like many other beloved Italian dishes, it’s fairly minimalist and packed full of flavor. Amatriciana is most traditionally served with Bucatini, which is really close to spaghetti except this pasta is hollow on the inside, which allows more of that dreamy Amatriciana sauce to get trapped inside. Many fantastic restaurants in Rome serve it with Rigatoni. You can use whatever pasta you like for this recipe, just make sure the weight is the same (12 ounces).

Recipe Ingredients

  • extra virgin olive oil
  • guanciale
  • shallots
  • San Marzano tomatoes
  • red pepper flakes
  • kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper
  • bucatini or other pasta
  • Pecorino Romano cheese
Bucatini all'Amatriciana on plate with fork

How to Make Bucatini all’Amatriciana

  1. Once your ingredients are assembled, cook the chopped guanciale in some olive oil and set aside (keep the rendered fat from the guanciale– you’re going to want those amazing flavors in your sauce).
  2. While the guanciale is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook the bucatini until al dente.
  3. Next, cook your shallots and tomatoes in the remaining oil/fat, then add seasonings, Pecorino Romano, a splash of pasta water, and finally your beloved bucatini.
  4. Serve the dish with copious amounts of additional Pecorino and that crispy, heavenly guanciale sprinkled on top.

Expert Tips

  • Choose high-quality ingredients. San Marzano tomatoes, guanciale (totally different from other cuts of pork like pancetta or bacon), and good olive oil come together for a foolproof recipe for success.
  • Don’t skimp on cooking the guanciale. We swear by our method for cooking and serving the guanciale. Crisping it up in olive oil not only will help develop the amazing flavors of your Amatriciana, but will also give the guanciale the perfect crispy texture. Don’t toss the guanciale with the tomato sauce or cook with any other ingredients, but rather serve it on top of the pasta dish, so it can be enjoyed in its perfectly, unadulterated state as it should be.
  • Or the Pecorino Romano. This Bucatini all’Amatrician recipe highly encourages each dish to be served not only with crispy guanciale on top, but with a generous amount of grated Pecorino Romano cheese, just as it’s served in Rome. Because there’s no such thing as too much Pecorino!

FAQs

How do you pronounce Bucatini all’Amatriciana?

You’re going to need to know how to pronounce the name of your new favorite pasta dish when you tell your friends and family, so let’s practice. Bucatini = boo-kuh-tee-nee. Amatriciana = aa-muh (rhymes with comma)-tree-cha-nuh.

What is the difference between arrabiata and amatriciana?

Arrabiata is also a tomato-based Italian sauce, though it is rather spicy and doesn’t contain any meat products.

Can I substitute the guanciale?

Guanciale (cured pork cheek) is essential for an authentic-tasting amatriciana. However, it can be fairly tricky to find. Pancetta or bacon will do in a pinch.

What can I use instead of Pecorino Romano?

Pecorino provides a salty, funky flavor profile to this dish which can be tricky to replicate. Parmesan or another hard-and-salty Italian cheese that grates well will work.

Where did Amatriciana originate?

While Amatriciana did originate in the town of Amatrice, it shortly arrived in nearby Rome and is quite well-known as being a classic Roman dish.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Leftover Bucatini All’Amatriciana can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. For best results reheat in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Sometimes a splash of water is needed to loosen the sauce back up again. More pecorino is always a good idea.

What to Serve with this Recipe

Bucatini All’Amatriciana is a versatile dish that works equally well for a busy weeknight family dinner or a leisurely date night dinner in. Serve with a simple green salad and a nice hunk of focaccia.

Bucatini all’Amatriciana Recipe

Brooke Eliason
Print
Servings: 4 people
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Difficulty: Intermediate
With just a few key ingredients like guanciale, tomatoes, shallots, and bucatini, you can make one of the best and most authentic Italian pasta dishes you'll ever consume.

Ingredients 

  • 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 6 ounces guanciale, cut into strips that are roughly 1" long, and 1/4" wide*
  • 2 shallots, chopped
  • 1 28-ounce can of whole, peeled San Marzano tomatoes
  • red pepper flakes
  • kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper
  • 12 ounces bucatini or other pasta
  • 2 ounces Pecorino Romano cheese, finely grated plus more for serving

Instructions

  • In a large dutch oven, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Once oil is heated and shimmering, add guanciale. Cook for about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the guanciale is a deep golden brown color and crispy on the outside. Using a slotted spoon, remove the guanciale from dutch oven and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate or bowl.
  • Add the shallots to the dutch oven with the remaining olive oil and rendered guanciale fat. Cook for 6-8 minutes, until shallots are translucent and soft, but not browned. Add the entire can of San Marzano tomatoes and its juices to the dutch oven, slowly crushing each tomato with your hands to release the juices before letting them fall into the dutch oven. Add a pinch or two of red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and fresh cracked pepper to taste. Cook on low for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of heavily salted water (should taste like the sea) to a boil. Once boiling, add the bucatini and cook until a minute or two just under al dente. Remove 1 cup of pasta water from the pot and set aside.
  • Using an immersion blender, blend the contents of the dutch oven until smooth.** Add 1/2 cup of the pasta water and pasta to the dutch oven and, using tongs, gently combine the pasta and the tomato sauce. Bring the dutch oven to high heat and cook for 1-2 minutes, until pasta is al dente. Remove from heat, add pecorino, and use tongs to combine. Add additional pasta water, 1 Tablespoon at a time if needed. Taste and add additional salt if needed. Plate the pasta and top each serving with additional Pecorino (don't be shy) and the crispy guanciale (which should be evenly divided between servings).

Notes

*Guanciale is an imperative ingredient in this recipe. It will help you achieve the signature Amatriciana flavor, as well as provide incredible texture to your dish. You can usually buy this at European or Italian markets, or at artisan, high-quality delis. Ask for 6 ounces of guanciale, in the thickest slices possible. When you are slicing the guanciale, try to cut it into strips that are roughly 1″ long, and 1/4″ wide. 
**If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can leave the sauce as is (it will be more textured and not as smooth but will still taste delicious), or let it cool slightly and transfer to a blender to blend until smooth, and then back to your dutch oven.

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