Description
A creamy and savory Roman pasta classic made with guanciale, pecorino cheese, and black pepper—perfect for beginner cooks seeking a quick and healthy meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 11 oz spaghetti or tonnarelli
- 6 oz guanciale or pancetta
- 6 oz pecorino romano cheese, finely grated
- 1 tbsp black pepper, freshly ground (medium-coarse)
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
- Hot pasta water (as needed)
Instructions
- Toast the black pepper in a dry pan over low heat until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Set aside.
- Slice guanciale into strips and cook in a dry pan over medium-low heat until fat becomes translucent, then slightly crisp the edges.
- Cook pasta in boiling water for about 75% of the recommended ‘al dente’ time, then drain, reserving the pasta water.
- Deglaze the pan with white wine, stirring to lift browned bits, and let simmer until mostly evaporated.
- Add the partially cooked pasta to the pan with guanciale and some reserved pasta water. Add the toasted black pepper and finish cooking the pasta.
- In a bowl, combine finely grated pecorino cheese with a ladle of hot pasta water, stirring to make a creamy paste.
- Remove the pan from heat, stir in the cheese paste thoroughly, and mix until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use pancetta if guanciale is unavailable; avoid smoked bacon for a more authentic taste.
- Finely grate pecorino to prevent clumping—pre-grated cheese may need to be sifted for texture.
- Always add the cheese sauce off the heat to avoid coagulation and clumps.
- For reheating, add a splash of water in a skillet over low heat—avoid microwaving.
- Use less pasta water if you prefer a thicker sauce; more for a looser consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approx. 200g)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 45mg