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Bucatini all’Amatriciana by Chef Anthony Vitolo of NYC’s Emilio’s Ballato

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Bucatini all'Amatriciana Recipe by Anthony Vitoli of Emilios Ballato Close Up- Indulgent Eats

I was supposed to be eating this classic pasta dish at a trattoria in Rome in June, but since COVID derailed our travel plans, I decided to make it at home instead! This Bucatini all’Amatriciana recipe is all thanks to the amazing Chef Anthony Vitolo of Emilio’s Ballato, my favorite old school Italian spot in NYC. It’s usually available as a special at the restaurant, which reopened for outdoor dining for the first time ever as part of the Phase 2 reopening in NYC so go support by dining outdoors or ordering takeout if you can! If you’re not in the area though, try making this delicious pasta at home. Chef Anthony taught me how to make it on Instagram live, and I was so thrilled with the results that I had to adapt it into a recipe to share with all of you.

Traditional Amatriciana sauce is tomato-based, but this is no average red sauce as it gets its depth of flavor from:

  • guanciale, or cured pork cheeks
  • Pecorino Romano, a sheep’s milk cheese that’s like a saltier and sharper Parmigiano
  • fresh ground pepper
  • crushed red pepper
Bucatini all'Amatriciana Recipe by Anthony Vitoli of Emilios Ballato Guanciale Rendering - Indulgent Eats
Bucatini all'Amatriciana Recipe by Anthony Vitoli of Emilios Ballato Guanciale with Onions - Indulgent Eats-min

Chef Anthony also adds grated onion into the sauce to add some sweetness that helps balance out its saltier counterparts. If you can’t find guanciale, you can also substitute pancetta or bacon, and you’re also welcome to use Parm if you can’t find Pecorino Romano. I was lucky to find all of the ingredients at Mercato Gourmet here in Hong Kong, a stellar market that imports restaurant-quality ingredients straight from Italy to keep my Bucatini all’Amatriciana as close to the real deal as possible.

Bucatini all'Amatriciana Recipe by Anthony Vitoli of Emilios Ballato with cheese - Indulgent Eats
Bucatini all'Amatriciana Recipe by Anthony Vitoli of Emilios Ballato - Indulgent Eats-min

Jen Balisi

Jen Balisi is a New Yorker turned expat, indulging in the best dining, home-cooked recipes, and travel destinations in Hong Kong and around the world.

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1 Comment

  1. […] to recreate another restaurant dish? Try making Bucatini all’Amatriciana just like they serve at another NYC favorite, Emilio’s […]

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