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–+ servings
bucatini with meatballs in a cream coloured bowl, topped with fresh basil leaves

Bucatini all'Amatriciana and Meatballs

Julia Frey of Vikalinka
Try this quick and delicious pasta recipe with the famous Amatriciana sauce and the best tasting, juiciest meatballs!
5 from 3 votes
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Course Main
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6
Calories 638 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the meatballs

  • 1 lbs ground beef or a combination of ground pork and beef
  • 2 tbsp breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp fresh basil chopped
  • 1 tsp oregano dried
  • ¼ tsp pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

For the tomato sauce

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 100g/1/3 cup pancetta or thickly cut bacon cubed, rind cut off
  • 1 shallot or ½ onion chopped
  • 60ml/1/4 cup dry white wine or Vermouth
  • ½ tsp dried chilli flakes
  • 400g/14oz canned chopped tomatoes high quality
  • ¼ cup basil leaves chopped
  • 1 lbs bucatini
  • salt to taste
  • 2 tbsp Parmesan or Pecorino Romano

Instructions
 

  • Combine all ingredients for the meatballs in a medium sized bowl, mix well and roll meatballs. Set aside.
  • Heat olive oil in a large pan, add the pancetta and cook over very low heat allowing the fat to render. Then add the chopped shallot and continue cooking for 5 minutes longer until the shallot is soft. Pour in the white wine and let it simmer, the liquid should reduce by a half.
  • Add chilli flakes and stir for a few seconds, then add canned chopped tomatoes or crushed tomatoes and basil, stir everything together and let it simmer on low heat for 10-15 minutes, season with salt to taste. Meanwhile cook the pasta according to package directions.
  • While pasta is cooking, brown the meatballs in a separate pan over medium heat for 7-10 minutes. They don't have to be cooked all the way through, just browned.
  • Remove the meatballs from the pan add them to the tomato sauce, cover with a lid to allow the meatball to finish cooking for another 5 minutes.
  • Drain cooked pasta and gently toss it with the sauce and meatballs. Serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese or Pecorino Romano.

Nutrition

Calories: 638kcalCarbohydrates: 63gProtein: 28gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 93mgSodium: 1489mgPotassium: 583mgFiber: 4gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 263IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 93mgIron: 4mg
Keyword bucatini all'amatriciana
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