Description
This classic Spaghetti Carbonara recipe combines crispy pancetta, creamy egg and cheese sauce, and perfectly cooked spaghetti for a rich and comforting Italian pasta dish that comes together quickly and easily in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 4 ounces Pancetta (or Guanciale or Bacon)
Cheese and Eggs
- 1 cup Parmigiano Reggiano (or Pecorino Romano, freshly grated)
- 3 large Egg Yolks
- 1 large Egg
Pasta
- 12 ounces Spaghetti
Seasoning and Liquids
- 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1/2 cup Pasta Water (reserved starchy water from cooking pasta)
- Salt (for boiling water, to taste)
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: Bring 6 quarts of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining.
- Cook Pancetta: While the pasta cooks, heat a pan over medium heat and cook the pancetta (or guanciale or bacon) until crisp and browned. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess fat.
- Prepare Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, whole egg, and grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese until smooth. Stir in the black pepper for seasoning.
- Toss Pasta with Pancetta: Drain the cooked spaghetti and immediately toss it with the crispy pancetta in the warm pan to combine flavors.
- Combine with Egg Mixture: Remove the pan from heat and gradually add the cheese and egg mixture to the pasta, tossing quickly to create a creamy sauce without scrambling the eggs. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time, about 1/2 cup, to loosen the sauce and help it coat the spaghetti evenly.
- Serve: Plate the carbonara and finish with freshly cracked black pepper and an extra sprinkle of grated cheese if desired. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use guanciale for the most authentic carbonara flavor; pancetta or bacon work well as substitutes.
- Be sure to remove the pan from direct heat before adding the egg mixture to avoid scrambling the eggs.
- The reserved pasta water is essential to create a silky, smooth sauce by adjusting the sauce’s consistency.
- Serve immediately after tossing to enjoy the perfect creamy texture.
- You can substitute Pecorino Romano cheese if you prefer a sharper taste.
