Description
Classic Italian spaghetti carbonara combines creamy pecorino romano with crisp pancetta for a Roman culinary delight. Pasta enthusiasts savor this simple yet elegant dish that connects you to authentic Italian kitchen traditions.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) spaghetti
- 4 ounces (113 grams) pancetta or guanciale, diced
- 2 large eggs
- 2 large egg yolks
Cheese:
- 1 cup (100 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Optional Ingredients:
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook spaghetti until perfectly tender, approximately 8-9 minutes. Carefully extract and reserve one cup of starchy pasta water before draining.
- Whisk eggs, additional egg yolks, and grated Parmesan in a separate mixing bowl until the mixture transforms into a smooth, uniform consistency.
- Heat a skillet over medium temperature and render pancetta until it develops a crisp, golden-brown texture. If desired, introduce minced garlic and sauté for 60 seconds to release aromatic flavors.
- Reduce the skillet’s heat to low and gently incorporate the drained spaghetti, ensuring each strand becomes luxuriously coated with rendered pancetta fat.
- Immediately remove the skillet from heat and swiftly integrate the egg and cheese mixture, continuously stirring to prevent scrambling. Gradually introduce reserved pasta water to create a silky, luxurious sauce that elegantly clings to the pasta.
- Season generously with freshly cracked black pepper and salt to elevate the dish’s flavor profile. Transfer to serving plates and garnish with additional Parmesan cheese for a decadent finishing touch.
Notes
- Use room temperature eggs to prevent scrambling and ensure a silky, smooth sauce that coats the pasta evenly.
- Grate fresh Parmesan cheese directly onto the dish for maximum flavor and creaminess compared to pre-grated options.
- Reserve pasta water strategically as the starchy liquid helps emulsify the sauce and prevents it from becoming too thick or dry.
- For a lighter version, swap pancetta with turkey bacon or reduce the amount of cheese to cut down on calories while maintaining the classic carbonara taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 512 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 53 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg