Mezzi rigatoni alla gricia

To prepare the pasta alla gricia, first place a pan full of water on the fire that will be used for cooking the pasta. At this point take the guanciale and cut into slices 1 cm thick. Then in already hot pan put the guanciale without adding other fats.

Let them sizzle over medium heat for about ten minutes until it becomes golden and crunchy, being careful not to burn it. In the meantime, the water has come to a boil, add salt and cook the pasta while the pasta is cooking, finely grate the Pecorino.

When the pasta is missing 2 minutes from the end of cooking, slow down the cooking of the guanciale by pouring a ladleful of the pasta cooking water (the cooking of the guanciale will stop and the starch released from the pasta will create a pleasant cream). pan to stir the pieces of guanciale.

At this point the pasta is cooked, drain it directly into the sauce, keeping the cooking water. Saute’ for about 1 minute, shaking the pan and stirring. Then remove the pan from the heat, sprinkle with a third of the grated Pecorino and add a little more cooking water as needed.

Stir and toss the pasta again; you will notice that a tasty cream has been created You can serve the pasta alla gricia and garnish each dish with the remaining Pecorino.