While visiting Rome in his TV series "Searching for Italy," Tucci refers to "four pastas" — cacio e pepe, carbonara, alla gricia, and all'amatriciana. The latter was the one that really gained my interest, as I attempted to make it most often at home.
In the show, Tucci oversees a Roman chef recreating the dish. He includes only four ingredients — tomatoes, guanciale, Pecorino Romano cheese, and pasta. This surprised me, as I've often made this dish following recipes, such as Bon Appétit's, that also included garlic, onions, and red pepper flakes.
I was curious to see how my previous attempts would stack up against one taken straight out of Rome.