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–+ servings

Bucatini all’Amatriciana with Beef & Pecorino

A quick, cozy bowl of bucatini tossed in a glossy tomato sauce with crispy smoked beef bacon, a gentle kick of red pepper, and a shower of Pecorino Romano. Weeknight-fast with big Roman vibes—no special shopping trip required.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 people
Calories 560 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz bucatini pasta
  • 5 oz smoked beef bacon, diced (or cured beef), fat rendered
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (only if pan is dry)
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (to taste)
  • 1/3 cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth (for deglazing)
  • 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
  • 28 oz canned San Marzano tomatoes, crushed by hand
  • 1 cup reserved pasta cooking water (as needed for emulsifying)
  • kosher salt, to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup Pecorino Romano, finely grated, plus more for serving

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil.
  • Start the diced beef in a cold skillet over medium heat. Render and crisp 5–7 minutes, stirring; add olive oil only if the pan looks dry.
  • Stir in red pepper flakes and a few grinds of black pepper; cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • Deglaze with broth and lemon juice, scraping up browned bits; reduce briefly.
  • Add the crushed tomatoes. Simmer on medium-low 10–15 minutes until glossy and slightly thickened. Taste and season lightly with salt.
  • Cook bucatini until just shy of al dente. Reserve at least 1 cup pasta water; drain.
  • Transfer pasta to the sauce with a generous splash of pasta water. Toss until the sauce emulsifies and coats the strands; add more water as needed.
  • Remove from heat and toss in Pecorino until creamy. Adjust salt and pepper.
  • Serve immediately with extra Pecorino and a final twist of black pepper.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowlCalories: 560kcalCarbohydrates: 70gProtein: 24gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 7gSodium: 850mgFiber: 4gSugar: 6g
Keyword beef bacon pasta, Bucatini all’Amatriciana, Budget-Friendly Recipes, Easy Weeknight Dinners, High Protein Meals, Pecorino Romano, Quick Family Meals
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