Penne Amatriciana

Indulge in the bold, authentic flavors of Penne Amatriciana, a classic Italian pasta dish that is both simple and irresistibly satisfying. This recipe packs a punch with its savory combination of crispy guanciale, rich canned tomatoes, and a hint of heat from red chili flakes. Tossed with perfectly al dente penne and finished with a generous sprinkling of grated Pecorino Romano cheese, this dish delivers a delectable balance of smoky, tangy, and cheesy goodness. Ready in just 40 minutes, this comforting crowd-pleaser is ideal for weeknight dinners or a cozy weekend treat. Pair it with a glass of red wine and a crisp green salad for an unforgettable Italian dining experience. Perfect for those searching for authentic Italian recipes, pasta dishes, or easy dinner ideas.

Nutriscore Rating: 59/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 grams penne pasta
• 150 grams guanciale (cured pork cheek), diced
• 400 grams canned peeled tomatoes
• 50 grams pecorino romano cheese, grated
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
• 0 to taste salt
• 0 to taste black pepper, freshly ground

Directions

Step 1

Fill a large pot with water, add a generous amount of salt, and bring it to a boil for the pasta.

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced guanciale and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it becomes crispy and releases its fat.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and red chili flakes to the skillet and sauté for 1 minute until aromatic, being careful not to burn the garlic.

Step 4

Pour the canned peeled tomatoes into the skillet and break them up with a wooden spoon. Stir everything together and let the sauce simmer for 15-20 minutes over low heat until it thickens. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Step 5

While the sauce is simmering, cook the penne pasta in the boiling water according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining.

Step 6

Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce, adding a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water if needed to loosen it up.

Step 7

Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle the grated pecorino romano cheese over the pasta. Toss again to combine and create a creamy texture.

Step 8

Serve immediately, topped with additional grated pecorino romano if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1041.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2931.6

Total Fat 156.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 51.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 155mg	0%
Sodium 5961.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 310.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.0g	0%
Total Sugars 10.1g
Protein 83.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 599.2mg	0%
Iron 17.4mg	0%
Potassium 1755.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 47.1%

Protein: 11.2%

Carbs: 41.7%