Spicy Bucatini Pasta Recipes

Steps:

• In 4-quart Dutch oven or 12-inch skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook parsley, thyme, onion and chile in oil about 3 minutes, stirring frequently, just until onion is soft.
• Stir in bacon. Cook about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until bacon is crisp. Drain fat, reserving 2 tablespoons; discard remaining fat.
• Stir vinegar into bacon mixture; cook until evaporated. Stir in tomatoes and reserved bacon fat. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile, cook and drain pasta as directed on package. Add pasta to tomato mixture. Cook over high heat about 3 minutes, tossing gently, until pasta is evenly coated.

Steps:

• For the sauce: In a large heavy skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring constantly, until golden brown, about 5 to 7 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the pancetta and reserve. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and the cooked pancetta. Simmer, uncovered, over medium-low heat until the sauce thickens, about 15 minutes. Stir in the cheese and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• For the meatballs: Position an oven rack in the lower 1/3 of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, combine the onion, 1/2 cup parsley, 2/3 cup Parmesan, bread crumbs, egg, ketchup, garlic, red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Add the beef and veal. Using your hands, combine all ingredients gently but thoroughly. Shape the meat mixture into 16 (1 1/2-inch-diameter) meatballs and place on the prepared baking sheet. Make a hole in the center of each meatball and place a cube of mozzarella inside. Reform the meatball so that the mozzarella is completely covered with the meat mixture. Bake the meatballs for 15 minutes until cooked through.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and place in a large serving bowl. Add the meatballs and sauce. Toss gently and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Sprinkle with the remaining parsley and Parmesan.