What Is Bucatini? Plus 6 Bucatini Recipes

Bucatini (boo-kah-TEE-nee) is a long, thick pasta with a tiny hole running through the center, from the Italian buco, meaning "hole". The hollow center lets sauce get inside each strand, and the thicker size gives a satisfying, chewy bite. It is a Roman classic.

Bucatini vs spaghetti

How to cook bucatini

Cook in plenty of salted water, stirring early so strands do not stick. Bucatini takes a little longer than spaghetti; start tasting 2 minutes before the package time. Finish it in the sauce with a splash of pasta water.

6 bucatini recipes

1. Bucatini all'Amatriciana: guanciale, tomato, chili and pecorino. Full recipe.
2. Cacio e pepe: pecorino, black pepper and pasta water.
3. Bucatini with marinara and meatballs: use Néssi marinara and Italian bread crumbs in the meatballs.
4. Spicy bucatini: arrabbiata sauce and burrata.
5. Bucatini with lemon, garlic and bread crumbs: toasted crumbs, olive oil, lemon zest and parsley.
6. Bucatini puttanesca: tomatoes, olives, capers and anchovy.

FAQ

Is bucatini the same as perciatelli? Yes, perciatelli is another name for bucatini.

What can I substitute for bucatini? Spaghetti or thick spaghetti (spaghettoni).

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