Description
Spaghetti alla gricia brings Roman culinary magic to your plate, celebrating simplicity with guanciale, pecorino romano, and black pepper. Crispy pork and sharp cheese create a classic pasta experience you’ll savor with each delightful, authentic bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 150 grams (5.3 ounces) guanciale (or pancetta, diced)
Pasta and Cheese:
- 400 grams (14.1 ounces) spaghetti
- 100 grams (3.5 ounces) Pecorino Romano cheese (finely grated)
Seasonings:
- Salt (for pasta water)
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare a generously salted water bath in a spacious pot, bringing it to a rolling boil. Immerse spaghetti and cook until perfectly tender, maintaining a firm bite. Carefully extract and preserve approximately one cup of starchy cooking liquid before straining.
- Simultaneously, transform diced guanciale in a capacious skillet over moderate heat. Allow the meat to sizzle and caramelize, rendering its rich fat until achieving a golden, crisp texture (roughly 5-7 minutes). Remove from thermal source once desired crispness emerges.
- Elegantly introduce the strained pasta into the skillet populated with rendered guanciale. Integrate the strands by gently rotating, utilizing a splash of reserved pasta water to facilitate seamless coating and prevent adherence.
- Lavishly dust the pasta with finely grated Pecorino Romano, accompanied by a robust scattering of freshly cracked black pepper. Vigorously toss the components, allowing the cheese to melt and create a silky, cohesive sauce. Incrementally incorporate additional pasta water if necessary to achieve optimal consistency.
- Present immediately, garnishing with an extra flourish of Pecorino Romano and a dramatic sprinkle of black pepper, ensuring maximum flavor and visual appeal.
Notes
- Opt for high-quality guanciale to elevate the dish’s authentic flavor and ensure a rich, delectable taste profile.
- Choose a good-quality Pecorino Romano with a sharp, salty character that melts smoothly into the pasta.
- Use starchy pasta water as a secret weapon to create a silky, emulsified sauce that perfectly coats every strand of spaghetti.
- Consider substituting pancetta if guanciale is unavailable, though the traditional flavor will be slightly different.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 645
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 310mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 80g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 40mg