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5.0 from 6 votes

Spaghetti alla Molisana

Spaghetti alla Molisana is a delicious traditional dish from Molise. It's packed with flavour and incredibly easy to make. It's made with pancetta, lots of fresh herbs, red chilli for a little heat and lots of Pecorino cheese. Perfect served with a glass of vino!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 751 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 14 oz (400g) Spaghetti or other dried pasta
  • 1 white onion
  • 1 fresh red chilli (see notes)
  • 7 oz (200g) pancetta cut into strips of cubes (unsmoked)
  • ⅔ cup (160ml) chicken stock (low sodium)
  • 1 cup (15g) fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 1 cup (15g) fresh basil
  • 1/2 cup (30g) freshly grated Pecorino cheese plus more for serving
  • olive oil
  • salt

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it well.
  2. Finely chop 1 onion and add it to a large pan with a good drizzle of olive oil (about 1-2 tablespoons). Saute the onion on a medium-low heat until soft and translucent but not browned (about 10 minutes).
  3. Next, add 1 finely chopped red chilli and saute that with the onion and the chopped pancetta (200g/7oz). Fry the pancetta until the fat is translucent and just starting to turn golden (don’t let it go crispy).
  4. When the pancetta is almost done, add (14oz/400g) spaghetti to the water and cook until al dente (9-11 minutes or according to packet instructions).
  5. Add ⅔ cup (160ml) of chicken stock to the pancetta and let it simmer until it has reduced by half.
  6. Once the pasta is al dente, transfer it using kitchen tongs to the pasta sauce and toss it around until it’s coated in the pancetta and onions. When you transfer the pasta this way you’ll naturally add in some reserved pasta water at the same time.
  7. Add the chopped basil and parsley (15g/ 1 cup of each) and (1/2 cup/30g) Pecorino cheese and stir until thoroughly combined.
  8. Serve in bowls topped with more Pecorino.

Notes

  • Salt - both pancetta and pecorino are fairly high in sodium so I don't feel the need to add any additional salt to this. If your pancetta isn't overly salted you can add it to taste.
  • Frying the pancetta - the pancetta should be fried until it's just starting to turn golden but not crispy. The fat should be translucent. This is the traditional way to prepare Spaghetti alla Molisana but you can cook your pancetta until crispy if you prefer.
  • Using red chilli - the amount you use is entirely up to your personal taste. You want a little kick without the whole dish tasting spicy. I used a whole red chilli which wasn't overly hot. If you have a hot chilli you may need to use less. I also remove the seeds but again this is just a personal preference.
  • Salt - both pancetta and pecorino are fairly high in sodium so I don't feel the need to add any additional salt to this. If your pancetta isn't overly salted you can add it to taste.
  • Frying the pancetta - the pancetta should be fried until it's just starting to turn golden but not crispy. The fat should be translucent. This is the traditional way to prepare Spaghetti alla Molisana but you can cook your pancetta until crispy if you prefer.
  • Using red chilli - the amount you use is entirely up to your personal taste. You want a little kick without the whole dish tasting spicy. I used a whole red chilli which wasn't overly hot. If you have a hot chilli you may need to use less. I also remove the seeds but again this is just a personal preference.

Nutrition Information

Calories 751kcal (38%) Carbohydrates 86g (29%) Protein 34g (68%) Fat 30g (46%) Saturated Fat 12g (60%) Polyunsaturated Fat 4g Monounsaturated Fat 11g Trans Fat 0.1g Cholesterol 64mg (21%) Sodium 739mg (31%) Potassium 976mg (28%) Fiber 7g (28%) Sugar 6g (12%) Vitamin A 8352IU (167%) Vitamin C 108mg (120%) Calcium 537mg (54%) Iron 8mg (44%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 751

% Daily Value*

Calories 751kcal 38%
Carbohydrates 86g 29%
Protein 34g 68%
Fat 30g 46%
Saturated Fat 12g 60%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4g 24%
Monounsaturated Fat 11g 55%
Trans Fat 0.1g 5%
Cholesterol 64mg 21%
Sodium 739mg 31%
Potassium 976mg 21%
Fiber 7g 28%
Sugar 6g 12%
Vitamin A 8352IU 167%
Vitamin C 108mg 120%
Calcium 537mg 54%
Iron 8mg 44%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.