A simpler version of carbonara that is always an Italian hit. The mix of Pecorino Romano cheese and guanciale (bacon) make this an easy meal to enjoy. Spaghetti alla Gricia is a filling and tasty dish that’s perfect all year round. The guanciale is similar to pancetta except it has a far higher fat content. Serve as a main dish with a salad side or garlic bread.
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Spaghetti alla Gricia
Simple but gorgeous. Works just as well with Rigatoni
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Servings: 4 people
Calories: 590kcal
Ingredients
- 1 tsp Extra Virgin olive oil
- 200 g guanciale cut into 5mm thick squares
- 500 g spaghetti
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper plus more for garnish see Note 1
- 75 g pecorino romano finely grated See Note 1
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a low heat. When it begins to shimmer, add the guanciale and cook, stirring, until golden brown – about 8-10 minutes. Set aside.1 tsp Extra Virgin olive oil, 200 g guanciale
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil over a high heat. Salt the water. When the salt has dissolved, add the pasta and cook until al dente.500 g spaghetti
- Transfer the pasta to the pan with the guanciale, reserving the cooking water. Heat the pan over a medium-high heat, adding some pasta water. Swirl and stir the pasta as it finishes cooking. The sauce should be thick and slightly liquid, but not watery.
- When the pasta is al dente, turn off the heat, add the pepper and half of the pecorino, then stir vigorously to combine.1/2 tsp ground black pepper, 75 g pecorino romano
- Plate the pasta and serve with the remaining pecorino and some black pepper sprinkled on top.75 g pecorino romano, 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- Always serve hot
Notes
Note 1: The ground black pepper is including within the recipe (1/2 tsp) but a little more is required to sprinkle over the dish prior to serving.
Note 2: Half of the pecorino is added in step 4 whilst the other half is used in step 5. In total the amount of Pecorino is 75 g and NOT 75 g per step.
Nutrition
Calories: 590kcal | Carbohydrates: 89g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 1796mg | Potassium: 241mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 5g