Spaghetti amatriciana

Ingredients:

• 350 g spaghetti
• 2 tbsp. l. olive oil
• 4 thick slices pancetta (about 110g)
• 1 red onion, diced
• 3 thinly sliced ​​garlic cloves
• 0.25 - 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes, plus more for garnish
• 2 tbsp. grated tomatoes
• 1 sprig of fresh basil
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish

Preparation:

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions. Reserve 3/4 cup of the pasta cooking water; drain the rest.
   
   Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and red onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens, about 10 minutes.
   
   Add the garlic and red pepper flakes; cook until the garlic softens, about 1 minute. Stir in the tomatoes, basil, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens, about 10 minutes.
2. Add the pasta to the sauce and toss until completely coated, adding more of the reserved pasta cooking water if needed to thin the sauce. Discard the basil. Add the Parmesan, season with salt, and toss again. Garnish each serving of spaghetti amatriciana with additional Parmesan and red pepper flakes.