Bucatini or Spaghetti All' Amatriciana.
Amatriciana is a simple and delicious classic Italian pasta recipe from Lazio with pretty ancient origins. It's popular with kids and adults alike throughout Italy and abroad!
Amatriciana comes from Amatrice in Lazio, Italy.
Sadly because of the devastating 2016 earthquake that destroyed much of the town of Amatrice in Central Italy, amatriciana has become a pasta dish that I cannot help but associate with that tragedy. However, I was very touched by how many restaurants here in Italy and abroad raised funds to help the town’s people by donating all or part of the takings from sales of plates of pasta all’amatriciana in the weeks following the quake. (Italians say all'amatriciana but abroad this recipe is often just referred to as amatriciana).
Of course, Amatrice was already well known for its famous pasta recipe even before the earthquake. This dish is based on typical local ingredients. Traditionally the local people use a cast iron frying pan or skillet to make this dish. The original sauce contains only tomatoes, guanciale (pork cheek), pecorino, red chili pepper and white wine. However, like other classic Italian recipes you can find it made with other ingredients in it!
Some Amatriciana history!
Amatriciana, also called matriciana in the local dialect, was originally just a white condiment (no tomatoes!). This original version is called 'alla gricia'. This was apparently the main meal for Amatrice shepherds. The shepherds carried pieces of pecorino in their packs, along with bags of black pepper, dried pasta, cured pork cheek and lard. Between the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries tomatoes were imported to Italy and a tomato sauce was added to the recipe.
Amatrice became famous for creating this ‘new’ recipe and in fact the town has held an annual festival in celebration of amatriciana for more than 50 years. In 2016 the festival was cancelled because of the earthquake which happened just a few days before the date of the festival. It was held instead in Rome in December.
The Romans love Amatriciana!
Although it is not originally from Lazio (during the Kingdom of the Two Siciiys, Amatrice belonged to Abruzzo), amatriciana has become a classic Roman recipe. However, it is more often served with bucatini in Rome and spaghetti in Amatrice. Both pastas work really well in this dish. For this recipe, I used spaghetti but I like it with bucatini too.
The people of Amatrice are very strict about the ingredients of this sauce and have been known to take offence when chefs become creative with their own versions. There’s a lovely story of when two Michelin star chef Carlo Cracco confessed that he put garlic in his amatriciana and the Amatrice town council accused him of ‘a lack of judgement’ on their Facebook page!!!
The recipe below is based on the original, except for the use of olive oil instead of lard. Bucatini or spaghetti all'amatriciana is a recipe that everybody loves, especially kids! So, it's well worth adding to your own pasta repertoire if it isn’t there already.
If you do try this bucatini or spaghetti Amatriciana recipe, I’d love to hear what you think. Please write a comment here on the blog or post a comment on the Pasta Project Facebook page.
Your feedback means a lot to me!
Buon Appetito!
(This recipe was originally published in 2017 but I have updated the photos and text)
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Diana says
I love bucatini but I've never heard of amatriciana sauce before, it look sooo good i'll have to give it a go!
Jacqui says
I love bucatini too Diana! Amatriciana is a classic sauce that's traditionally served with bucatini in Rome! Italians love it and I'm sure you will too!
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings says
We went to Italy last summer and this reminds me so much of some of the delicious meals we had there. Wouldn't it be nice if I could recreate some of those at home. Looks like I can!
Jacqui says
Food is great everywhere in Italy Karen, although you find different dishes in different parts of the country! This recipe is from Lazio. I think it's great to make food from other cuisines at home, especially when it reminds you of your holidays! I'm sure you'll enjoy this recipe!
Heidy L. McCallum says
Your pasta looks wonderful! I can't wait to try it. Saving for later.
Jacqui says
Thanks so much Heidy! I'm sure you'll love this classic Italian pasta recipe!
Veena Azmanov says
We love pasta. And if served like this, i don't think anyone would say no !! Definitely making it this weekend
Geetanjali says
This looks so good and sounds easy as well. It would definitely a treat for all the pasta lover.
Lesli Schwartz says
I'm loving all of the ingredients in this pasta dish! I wonder how good it would be with gluten-free pasta? Just curious. Thanks for the recipe!
Stine Mari says
Very interesting history to this dish. And I would probably have a lack of judgment as I love garlic. But now I would definitely try it the original way!
Gloria says
Call it whatever you like. I will take pasta any night of the week. What an interesting history on this delicious looking recipe.
Jen says
Classic Italian dishes are so good, and timeless. I love how you can tweek a little and keep to the basic recipe. A great meal for the family to enjoy together.
Stephanie says
This looks like the ultimate bowl of comfort food. I love a good pasta and this sounds fabulous.
Tracy says
Oh I'm so sorry this dish has such a sad connotation. At least it's incredibly delicious - and you can honor the people there now with it.
rebecca says
I LOVE pasta! this looks as easy as it looks delicious! definitely adding it to my list!
Kristina says
What a fabulous looking dish, love how you added a little extra to a classic spaghetti sauce!
Linda says
A good pasta sauce is always welcome in my home. I love the fact that this is the original from Italy and has all their best ingredients combined into one tasty sauce. It's become a favorite in our house too!
Helen of Fuss Free Flavours says
It is lovely to read the origins of simple dishes that we are so used to. A classic pasta dish, easy to make and delicious to eat. It must be very difficult to live with the aftermath of such an awful disaster, such as the earthquake. So lovely that funds were raised from the sales of this dish.
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
What a deliciously comforting pasta dish! This would go down a treat with my family!
Noelle says
I love Italian dishes, so comforting! This looks so authentic I can not wait to try! Pinning for later
Danielle Wolter says
this is seriously one of my favorite italian dishes ever. I love the bucatini and that amatriciana sauce is divine!
Amy | The Cook Report says
This looks like exactly what I'd like for dinner tonight, comforting and delicious!
Kate Hackworthy says
This dish looks so good. And it's nice to know that although it's history is tinged with sadness, it's also now about helping and community, by raising funds for those affected.