Savor the rich flavors of Pasta alla Mattacchiona, a creamy Italian recipe.

Pasta alla Mattacchiona

Pasta alla Mattacchiona is a creamy and flavorful Italian dish perfect for those who love simple yet bold flavors. This recipe combines a few basic ingredients to create an irresistible pasta, ideal for a family lunch or dinner with friends.

The star of this dish is guanciale, sautéed until golden and slightly crispy, then deglazed with white wine to enhance its flavor. Grated pecorino cheese, added off the heat with a bit of cooking water, creates a velvety cream that perfectly coats the pasta. A touch of black pepper, thyme, and basil adds a refreshing note.

The secret to achieving creamy ditalini with guanciale and pecorino is to finish cooking the pasta directly in the pan, gradually adding small amounts of cooking water. This way, the starch helps make the sauce even more enveloping. Follow our step-by-step recipe to discover how to prepare a flavorful first course, perfect for any occasion!

If you love guanciale, the star ingredient of many traditional Roman dishes, try these recipes:

• Creamy Pasta alla Carbonara
• Pasta with Pea Cream and Guanciale
• Bucatini with Zucchini Flowers, Guanciale, and Saffron
• Risotto alla Carbonara
• Pasta alla Zozzona

Ingredients

• 200g ditalini pasta
• 150g guanciale
• 50g pecorino cheese, grated
• 50ml white wine
• Fresh thyme, to taste
• Fresh basil, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• Salt, to taste

Instructions

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ditalini pasta until al dente.
2. In a pan, cook the guanciale over medium heat until golden and crispy.
3. Deglaze with white wine and let it evaporate.
4. Drain the pasta, reserving some cooking water.
5. Add the pasta to the pan with guanciale and mix well.
6. Off the heat, add the grated pecorino and a little cooking water, stirring to create a creamy sauce.
7. Season with black pepper, thyme, and basil.
8. Serve immediately, garnished with additional herbs if desired.

Total Time: 30 min

Cuisine: Italian