Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsThe ModernBlack Truffle Bucatini Recipe

Black Truffle Bucatini Recipe

Inspired by The Modern
Time30m
Serves4

Make Black Truffle Bucatini Recipe in just 30m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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Pasta & Pasta Water

Method

Pasta & Pasta Water

  1. 1

    Boil water and salt

    Bring 4 liters of water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add 1 tablespoon coarse salt (it should taste like seawater).

  2. 2

    Cook bucatini

    Add 12 oz bucatini to boiling water and cook until very al dente (2 minutes less than package directions), usually about 8–9 minutes. Reserve 1 1/2 cups (about 350 ml) of pasta cooking water before draining. Drain the pasta and set aside briefly; do not rinse.

Truffle Butter Sauce

  1. 3

    Warm fats and sweat aromatics

    In a large wide sauté pan over medium-low heat, melt 6 tbsp unsalted butter with 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil. Once butter has melted and sheen appears, add the finely minced shallot and garlic. Sweat gently, stirring frequently, until translucent and soft but not browned, about 2–3 minutes.

  2. 4

    Deglaze

    Increase heat to medium, add 1 tbsp dry white wine and let it reduce by half, scraping any fond from the pan, about 1–2 minutes.

  3. 5

    Build the creamy base

    Pour in 1 cup heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer on medium-low. Simmer 2–3 minutes to slightly thicken, stirring to prevent scorching.

  4. 6

    Finish sauce with cheese and truffle flavor

    Lower heat to low. Stir in 3 oz freshly grated Parmesan until melted and incorporated. Add 1 tsp black truffle oil and 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper, then taste and add up to 1 tsp kosher salt as needed. If the sauce is too thick, whisk in 2–4 tablespoons of reserved pasta water to reach a silky consistency.

Combine Pasta and Sauce

  1. 7

    Emulsify pasta with sauce

    Add the drained bucatini to the pan with the sauce over the lowest heat. Toss and stir vigorously, adding reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time to create an emulsion that coats the bucatini evenly. Continue for 1–2 minutes until pasta is al dente and sauce clings to the strands.

  2. 8

    Incorporate butter and truffle

    Off the heat, stir in an additional 1 tbsp cold butter (optional) for gloss, then fold in the thinly shaved fresh black truffle (about 8 g). Toss gently to distribute truffle aromatics without cooking them; the residual heat will release flavor.

Finishing & Serve

  1. 9

    Plate and garnish

    Divide bucatini among 4 warmed plates. Sprinkle each portion with remaining grated Parmesan (about 2 tbsp total across servings), scatter chopped parsley, and drizzle with 1 tsp finishing olive oil if desired.

  2. 10

    Final seasoning

    Freshly grind additional black pepper to taste and, if needed, a light sprinkle of flaky salt. Serve immediately so the truffle aroma is strongest.

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