Bucatini with Tomato, Guanciale, and Chile

A classic Italian pasta dish featuring bucatini tossed in a rich tomato sauce with crispy guanciale, red chile, and fresh rosemary. Finished with pecorino cheese and a drizzle of olive oil, this dish perfectly balances spicy, savory, and aromatic flavors.

4 servings
45 min

Ingredients

  • 1 sprig rosemary
  • 4 ounces guanciale
  • ½ medium red onion
  • 1 can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 12 ounces bucatini
  • 1 to taste Kosher salt
  • 1 ounce Pecorino
  • 2 tablespoons Olive oil

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Microwave rosemary on high in 20-second intervals until leaves are brittle, about 60 seconds. Remove leaves and grind to a fine powder with a spice mill or mortar and pestle; you should have about 1 teaspoon (Alternatively, very finely chop leaves.)

    2 min

  2. 2.

    Cook guanciale in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until guanciale is browned and crisp, 10-12 minutes. Transfer to a bowl with a slotted spoon.

    12 min

  3. 3.

    Cook onion in same skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until softened and golden brown, 8-10 minutes. Return all but 2 tablespoons guanciale to skillet and add tomatoes, red pepper flakes, and rosemary powder. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thickened, 5-8 minutes.

    18 min

  4. 4.

    Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente, 8-10 minutes. Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup pasta cooking liquid

    10 min

  5. 5.

    Add pasta and 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid to sauce. Cook over medium heat, tossing and adding more cooking liquid as needed, until sauce coats pasta, about 2 minutes.

    2 min

  6. 6.

    Serve pasta topped with Pecorino and remaining 2 tablespoons guanciale and drizzled with oil.

    1 min

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