Spaghetti alla Chitarra

Ingredients · 4 servings

• 400 gEgg pasta, fresh square cut
• 800 gTomato, peeled and crushed
• 240 gPork meatball, tiny pallottine
• 2 gChilli, finely chopped
• 40 gPecorino, finely grated
• 20 gOlive oil
• 2 cloveGarlic, lightly crushed
• 5 gSalt
• 1 gBlack pepper, freshly ground

Equipment

stovetop, large pot, wide pan, knife, cutting board, grater, tongs, wooden spoon, colander, ladle, serving bowl

Instructions

1. 1
   Prepare Ingredients

   Gather egg pasta, tomato, pork meatballs, chilli, Pecorino, garlic, oil, salt, pepper, a large pot, wide pan, knife, grater, and tongs. · 8 min

   What to look for: All ingredients are measured and tools are within reach

2. 2
   Sizzle Aromatics

   Heat olive oil in a wide pan over medium heat, add garlic and chilli, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant without browning the garlic. · 2 min

   What to look for: Garlic is pale gold at the edges and the oil smells spicy

3. 3
   Brown Meatballs

   Add tiny pork meatballs and fry, shaking the pan often, until lightly browned and firm on the outside, about 5 minutes. · 5 min

   When it is done: Pork should reach 63°C / 145°F in the center before serving

4. 4
   Simmer Tomato

   Add crushed tomato, 4 g salt, and black pepper, then simmer uncovered until the sauce thickens and the tomato tastes bright. · 15 min

   What to look for: Sauce coats the spoon and oil gathers in tiny red pools

5. 5
   Cook Pasta

   Boil a large pot of water, season with remaining salt, add egg pasta, and cook until just al dente, usually 3 to 5 minutes for fresh chitarra. · 8 min

   What to look for: Pasta is flexible but still has a firm core

6. 6
   Toss With Sauce

   Transfer pasta directly into the sauce with a splash of starchy water, toss for 1 minute, then fold in Pecorino until glossy. · 2 min

   What to look for: Sauce clings to the square strands and looks lightly creamy

7. 7
   Serve Hot

   Serve immediately in warm bowls with tomato sauce coating the pasta and tiny meatballs scattered through each portion. · 2 min

   What to look for: Each bowl has glossy pasta, red sauce, and visible pallottine