**Spaghetti alla Gricia: A Simple Yet Satisfying Roman Pasta Dish**
Spaghetti alla Gricia is a classic Roman pasta dish that is known for its simplicity and delicious flavors. It is made with just a few simple ingredients: spaghetti, guanciale (or pancetta), Pecorino Romano cheese, and black pepper. The guanciale or pancetta provides a salty and smoky flavor, while the Pecorino Romano cheese adds a nutty and sharp flavor. The black pepper adds a touch of spice and heat. This dish is quick and easy to make, and it is perfect for a weeknight meal or a casual lunch.
**Recipes Included in the Article:**
* **Classic Spaghetti alla Gricia:** This recipe is a straightforward guide to making the traditional Spaghetti alla Gricia dish. It includes step-by-step instructions and tips for getting the perfect flavor and texture.
* **Spaghetti alla Gricia with Roasted Brussels Sprouts:** This recipe adds roasted Brussels sprouts to the classic Spaghetti alla Gricia for a healthy and flavorful twist. The Brussels sprouts add a slightly bitter and nutty flavor that complements the salty guanciale and creamy Pecorino Romano cheese.
* **Spaghetti alla Gricia with Asparagus:** This recipe incorporates fresh asparagus into the Spaghetti alla Gricia for a spring-inspired dish. The asparagus adds a light and vegetal flavor that pairs well with the guanciale and Pecorino Romano cheese.
* **Spaghetti alla Gricia with Peas:** This recipe adds peas to the Spaghetti alla Gricia for a touch of sweetness and color. The peas add a pop of freshness and a hint of sweetness that complements the salty guanciale and creamy Pecorino Romano cheese.
* **Spaghetti alla Gricia with Sausage:** This recipe uses Italian sausage instead of guanciale or pancetta for a more robust flavor. The sausage adds a spicy and savory flavor that pairs well with the Pecorino Romano cheese and black pepper.
SPAGHETTI ALLA GRICIA
One of the 4 quintessential 'primi' from the Lazio region in Italy, this pasta is beautiful in its simplicity with soft guanciale and tangy Pecorino cheese. No onion, no garlic, no oil - this flavorful dish gets its character from slowly sauteeing the guanciale and then creating a creamy sauce with the pasta water and a bit of Pecorino Romano before tossing with thick spaghetti. With only 4 ingredients, this is also a quick meal when you're in a rush.
Provided by Buckwheat Queen
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 25m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally.
- While pasta cooks, immediately heat a nonstick pan over medium heat. Add guanciale and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add 1 ladle of pasta cooking water, stir, and cover pan. As pasta cooks, add another ladle of cooking water to the pan with the guanciale to create a sauce.
- At about 10 minutes of pasta cooking time, reserve a cup of cooking water and drain pasta. Add spaghetti to the pan with the guanciale; toss, adding reserved cooking water if necessary. Turn off heat. Add 1/3 the Pecorino Romano cheese to the pasta and toss until creamy.
- Divide pasta between 4 plates. Top each with remaining Pecorino Romano cheese and black pepper. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 875.4 calories, Carbohydrate 85.7 g, Cholesterol 73.1 mg, Fat 46.9 g, Fiber 3.7 g, Protein 25.2 g, SaturatedFat 18.3 g, Sodium 276.2 mg, Sugar 3.2 g
SPAGHETTI ALLA GRICIA
Steps:
- Fill a pasta pot or a large stockpot with 6 quarts of water, add 6 tablespoons of salt, and bring the water to a boil over high heat. If you are not using a pasta pot, put a colander in the sink or have a pair of tongs handy for lifting the pasta out of the water.
- Cut the onion in half, separate the layers, and cut each layer into petals that are 1 inch wide across the middle. Put the onion petals in a large sauté pan with 1 cup of water and a big pinch of salt and cook the onion over high heat until the water evaporates, about 5 minutes. Add the guanciale and olive oil and cook over medium-high heat until the guanciale is crisp, about 3 minutes. Remove the pan from heat and add another cup of water, the red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Turn off the heat while you cook the spaghetti.
- Drop the spaghetti into the boiling water, stir to prevent the strands from sticking together, partially cover the pot so the water returns to a boil quickly and continues boiling, and cook the pasta, using the time indicated on the package as a guide, until it's al dente. About 1 minute before the pasta is done, place the sauce over high heat. Lift the pasta out of the cooking water, or reserve 1 cup of the water and drain the pasta, and immediately add it to the pan with the sauce. Cook the pasta with the sauce for 2 minutes, stirring with a rubber spatula or tongs, to coat the pasta with the sauce, adding some of the reserved pasta water if the pasta is dry and sticky instead of slippery and glistening. Turn off the heat and stir in the parsley. Add the grated Parmigiano-Reggiano and pecorino romano and stir to combine.
- Use tongs to lift the spaghetti out of the pan and onto the center of each of four plates, dividing the pasta evenly, and twirling it as it falls onto the plate to form a tight mound. Spoon any sauce left in the pan over the pasta and use a microplane or another fine grater to grate a light layer of pecorino romano over each plate, and serve.
- suggested wine pairing
- Circeo Rosso (Lazio)
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: The flavor of Spaghetti alla Gricia relies on the quality of the ingredients you use. Make sure to use good-quality pasta, guanciale or pancetta, and Pecorino Romano cheese.
- Cook the guanciale or pancetta until crispy: This will help to render out the fat and add flavor to the dish.
- Do not rinse the pasta after cooking: Rinsing the pasta will remove the starch, which is necessary for the sauce to adhere to the pasta.
- Add the pasta to the pan with the guanciale or pancetta and toss to coat: This will help to absorb the flavors of the sauce.
- Add the Pecorino Romano cheese and toss to coat: The cheese will melt and create a creamy sauce.
- Serve immediately: Spaghetti alla Gricia is best served immediately, while the pasta is still hot and the sauce is creamy.
Conclusion:
Spaghetti alla Gricia is a simple but delicious pasta dish that is perfect for a quick and easy meal. With just a few ingredients, you can create a flavorful and satisfying dish that is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy pasta dish, give Spaghetti alla Gricia a try. You won't be disappointed!
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love