Amatriciana inspired Tomato and bacon bucatini

I’ve been craving Bucatini All’Amatriciana pretty much constantly since my trip to Rome last year but have struggled to find Guanciale in the UK so decided to make this Amatriciana inspired bacon pasta to try and scratch the itch.

Recipe:

1. Sauté some unsmoked bacon lardons in a little EVOO until the bacon is crispy and there is a nice fond on the bottom.
2. Add a little finely chopped onion and stir to deglaze the fond as well as some black pepper and red pepper flakes.
3. Add a little white wine once the onion is softened, reduce this by half then add passata. Season to taste and then cook down the sauce whilst the pasta cooks.
4. Add cooked pasta to the sauce along with a few big spoons of pasta water and a handful of grated pecorino, stir together and serve with more pecorino and loads of black pepper.

I’ve just repotted a load of basil plants so decided to add a few fresh leaves on top too.