Description
Authentic Pasta Carbonara is a classic Italian dish combining al dente spaghetti with crispy pancetta and a creamy sauce made from eggs, Pecorino Romano, and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheeses. This rich and flavorful dinner is quick to prepare, perfect for a satisfying meal in about 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 400 grams spaghetti
- 150 grams pancetta or guanciale
- 4 large eggs
- 100 grams Pecorino Romano cheese, grated
- 50 grams Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated
- Salt to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the spaghetti. Cook until al dente, following package instructions, then reserve some pasta water and drain the rest.
- Prepare the Pancetta: While the pasta cooks, dice the pancetta or guanciale into small pieces.
- Mix the Egg and Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, Pecorino Romano, and Parmigiano-Reggiano until smooth and combined.
- Cook the Pancetta: Heat a pan over medium heat and cook the diced pancetta or guanciale until it becomes crispy and golden, rendering its fat.
- Combine Pasta and Pancetta: Add the drained hot spaghetti to the pan with the cooked pancetta and remove the pan from heat to avoid scrambling the eggs.
- Add the Egg Mixture: Quickly pour the egg and cheese mixture over the hot pasta, stirring vigorously to create a creamy sauce without cooking the eggs into a scramble. Add reserved pasta water as needed to adjust sauce consistency.
- Season and Serve: Season with additional grated cheese, freshly cracked black pepper, and salt if desired. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use freshly grated cheeses for optimal flavor and creaminess.
- Be careful not to cook the eggs directly on heat to avoid scrambling; the residual heat from pasta and pan cooks the sauce gently.
- If pancetta or guanciale is unavailable, high-quality unsmoked bacon can be a substitute but will change authenticity.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency and achieve the desired creaminess.
- Serve immediately as the sauce thickens and dries as it cools.
