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Creamy bacon pasta in a white plate with grated cheese on top.

Pasta alla Gricia Recipe

Smiling woman with glasses and dark hair, professional portrait for Baked Bree website.Diane Goodman
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8 servings
Calories 373 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 8 ounces guanciale cut into 1/4-inch pieces
  • 12 ounces rigatoni or spaghetti
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese plus extra for serving

Instructions
 

  • Freeze the guanciale for 15 minutes to make it easier to cut. Then slice into 1/4-inch pieces.
    Crispy chopped bacon cooking in a black skillet on a white marble countertop.
  • Cook the guanciale in a large skillet over medium heat until it is golden and crispy, about 10 minutes. Remove guanciale and set aside, leaving the fat in the skillet.
    Crispy bacon bits cooking in a black skillet on a white marble surface.
  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt and the pasta, cooking until al dente.
  • While the pasta cooks, add black pepper to the skillet with the guanciale fat and heat over medium heat.
  • Transfer the cooked pasta directly from the pot to the skillet using tongs, reserving some pasta water.
    Cooked rigatoni pasta in a black skillet with a glass of water nearby.
  • Toss the pasta in the skillet with the guanciale fat and black pepper, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce coats the pasta.
  • Remove from heat, add the guanciale back to the skillet along with the Pecorino Romano cheese. Toss until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy.
    Creamy pasta with bacon and grated cheese in a black skillet, ready to bake for a cheesy pasta dish.
  • Serve immediately, topped with additional Pecorino Romano cheese.
    Creamy pasta with bacon in a black skillet on white marble surface.

Nutrition

Calories: 373kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 10gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 9gSodium: 283mgFiber: 1g
Keyword guanciale, pasta alla gricia
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