Lemony Bucatini Recipes

BUCATINI WITH CAULIFLOWER, CAPERS, AND LEMON

Steps:

• Heat broiler with rack 8 inches from heating element. Combine pasta, 5 cups water, 2 tablespoons oil, oregano sprig, pepper flakes, and 2 teaspoons salt in a large, straight-sided ovenproof skillet. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until sauce is mostly reduced and pasta is al dente, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in lemon zest and juice.
• In a bowl, toss cauliflower with remaining 2 tablespoons oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt, capers, Parmesan, and oregano leaves. Sprinkle over pasta in skillet. Broil until cauliflower is golden in spots and pasta is heated through, about 5 minutes. Toss to combine. Serve with more cheese and pepper flakes, a drizzle of oil, and lemon wedges.

BUCATINI WITH LEMONY CARBONARA

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium. Cook guanciale, tossing often, until browned and crisp, 6-8 minutes. Add shallots and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add pepper and cook, stirring often, just until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 1/2 cups pasta cooking liquid.
• Add pasta to skillet along with 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid and 1 oz. Parmesan and toss to coat. Remove skillet from heat and add egg yolks. Toss again, adding more pasta cooking liquid as needed, until a smooth glossy sauce coats pasta. Add grated lemon zest, lemon juice, and another 1 oz. Parmesan. Toss to coat, adding more pasta cooking liquid if needed to loosen sauce.
• Divide pasta among bowls; top with sliced lemon zest and more Parmesan.

BUCATINI AL LIMONE

Steps:

• Prepare a bowl of ice water and set aside. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook until bright green and just barely cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes. Use a spider or strainer to transfer the green beans to the ice bath and let cool completely before draining. Add the bucatini to the same pot of boiling water. Let cook to al dente, about 3 minutes less than the package instructions.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Cook the garlic and red pepper flakes until fragrant but not browned, about 1 minute, then add the lemon zest and juice and approximately 1/4 cup pasta water.
• Use tongs to transfer the pasta directly to the saute pan. Add the butter and blanched green beans, then toss to coat the pasta and beans in the sauce. Keep cooking, tossing, until the pasta is al dente and the sauce is glossy and thickened, about 3 minutes more. Turn off the heat and gradually stir in the Pecorino, tossing constantly. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
• Divide pasta among 4 serving bowls and garnish with the parsley, more Pecorino and a drizzle of olive oil.