Cook pasta to the point that the Italians call “al dente,” which means (literally) ... Ta-da. Finally, don’t just plop a pile of pasta on a plate, then ladle some sauce over it.

Preparation. Step 1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-low. Cook guanciale, stirring often, until it starts to brown and crisp, 10–15 minutes; it will shrink dramatically as the fat renders.