Quick Recipe: Short Pasta with Sicilian Pesto and Guanciale

 

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 350g short pasta (like casarecce, fusilli, or penne)
• 100g guanciale, diced
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 50g almonds, blanched and peeled
• 50g sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil
• 50g fresh basil leaves
• 1 garlic clove
• 50g grated pecorino cheese
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare the Pesto:

   • In a food processor, combine basil, almonds, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and pecorino cheese.
   • Blend while slowly adding 2 tbsp of olive oil until you get a smooth paste. Set aside.

2. Cook the Guanciale:

   • Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add diced guanciale and cook until crispy. Remove from heat and set aside.

3. Cook the Pasta:

   • Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.

4. Combine Everything:

   • Return the cooked pasta to the pot. Add the Sicilian pesto and a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.
   • Mix in the crispy guanciale and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

5. Serve:

   • Plate the pasta and garnish with additional pecorino cheese or fresh basil if desired.

Enjoy your delicious Sicilian-style pesto pasta with guanciale!