Giada's Pasta Alla Gricia

Step 1

To a large skillet add the diced bacon. Place over medium heat and cook the bacon until the fat in rendered and the bacon is crispy, about 20 minutes. Drain all but 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat from the pan. Stir in the pepper and set aside.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Season it generously with kosher salt. Cook the pasta for 2 minutes less than the package directions, about 8 minutes. Add 1 cup of pasta water to the pan with the bacon and return the pan to medium high heat scrpaing up the bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Using tongs, remove the pasta from the water and add it directly to the pan with the sauce. Sprinkle the bare pasta with the 2 cheeses and begin to toss the pasta with the sauce. Continue to stir and toss until the sauce thickens and coats the pasta and the pasta is cooked through, about 2 to 3 minutes Through this process, you may need to add more pasta water as needed to help cook the pasta and maintain a sauce. This could take up to a cup more pasta water. Serve topped with more cheese if desired.