Penne all’ Amatriciana

Ingredients · for 4 (scales to your household)

• 4 tablespoons Olive oil $0.73
• 1 Yellow onion $0.60
• 2 Garlic cloves $0.06
• 1/4 cup Red wine $1.33
• 4 Cans Chopped tomatoes $8.09
• 1 tablespoon Sugar $0.02
• 1 tablespoon Hot chili flakes $0.27
• 7 ounces Guanciale or pancetta $8.33
• 1 pound Penne pasta $3.06
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese $2.70
• 2 tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil $0.36
• 2 tbsp Basil, for optional garnish $0.44

Per-ingredient cost is the amount this recipe uses at the lowest Canadian price we have on file; the per-serving total above adds the range up to the dearest price and for buying whole packages.

Method

1. Gather your ingredients.
2. Heat the oil to hot, but not smoking in a roomy saucepan large enough to hold all the sauce ingredients. Add the chopped onion and gently fry them until softened but not brown, you may need to lower the heat if they are cooking too fast.
3. After 5 minutes add the chopped garlic, stir and continue to cook until the onions are ready (10 minutes).
4. Turn the heat to high and quickly add the wine in one go, stir well, and cook for 2 minutes.
5. Then add the canned tomatoes, sugar, and chili, and stir well. Lower the heat to medium, so the sauce is simmering NOT boiling. Cook the sauce for 30 minutes stirring from time to time and keep checking the sauce is not burning, if you think it is lower the heat even further.
6. While the sauce is cooking, heat a frying pan to hot, but not smoking. Add the guanciale or pancetta cubes and cook for 5 minutes, frequently stirring until the cubes are crisp; you will not need and oil in the pan as the fat on the meat will melt.
7. Once cooked, remove from the pan and spread onto a sheet of paper towel to drain any fat. Keep to one side.
8. Cook the penne according to the packet instructions; this will typically be around 9 minutes when placed into lightly salted, boiling water. Drain the pasta and keep warm.
9. After 30 minutes of cooking the sauce, add the guanciale or pancetta cubes and half the freshly grated Parmesan and stir.
10. Add in the pasta and stir thoroughly.
11. Serve the pasta immediately in warmed bowls with extra grated Parmesan, a drizzle of olive oil and garnish with a few basil leaves for color (optional).

Per serving