Authentic Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe for Beginners
Spaghetti Carbonara is a classic Italian pasta dish made with simple, fresh ingredients: eggs, cheese, pancetta (or bacon), and black pepper. The creamy sauce is created by tossing the hot pasta with the egg mixture, resulting in a rich and velvety dish. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a special dinner, this traditional recipe is a true comfort food.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 4 oz pancetta or guanciale (or bacon), diced
- 2 large eggs
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese (plus extra for serving)
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)
- Salt, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for cooking pancetta)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Cook the pancetta:
- While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced pancetta or guanciale (and olive oil if needed) and cook until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the skillet from heat and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg yolks, grated cheese, and freshly ground black pepper until smooth.
- Combine pasta and sauce:
- Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with the pancetta (off the heat). Toss to coat the pasta in the rendered fat.
- Slowly pour the egg and cheese mixture over the pasta, tossing quickly to coat the pasta and create a creamy sauce. The residual heat from the pasta will cook the eggs. If needed, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to achieve the desired consistency.
- Serve:
- Divide the pasta among serving plates. Top with additional grated cheese and a sprinkle of black pepper. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use freshly grated cheese for the best flavor and texture.
- To prevent scrambling the eggs, ensure the skillet is not too hot when adding the egg mixture.
- For added flavor, you can toss in minced garlic when cooking the pancetta, though traditional carbonara doesn’t include garlic.
- This dish is best served fresh; leftovers may lose their creamy texture.
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