Description
Pasta Carbonara is one of the most beloved Italian dishes, renowned for its simplicity and rich, creamy flavor. Made with just a few ingredients—pasta, eggs, cheese, pancetta, and black pepper—this classic Roman dish is a celebration of authentic Italian cooking. Perfect for a quick dinner or a special meal, Carbonara is both elegant and comforting.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 400g (14 oz) spaghetti or bucatini
- 150g (5 oz) pancetta or guanciale, diced
- 3 large eggs
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 cup (100g) grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil (optional, if pancetta is lean)
- Salt, for pasta water
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until just al dente, according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Prepare the pancetta: While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta (and olive oil if needed) and cook until golden and crispy, about 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Make the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg yolk, grated cheese, and black pepper until smooth.
- Combine pasta and pancetta: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the pancetta, tossing to coat.
- Add the sauce: Working quickly, pour the egg mixture over the hot pasta, stirring constantly. The residual heat will cook the eggs, creating a creamy sauce. If needed, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach your desired consistency.
- Serve immediately: Divide the pasta among plates and garnish with extra grated cheese and freshly cracked black pepper. Serve hot.
Notes
- For authentic flavor, use guanciale (cured pork cheek) if available.
- Avoid high heat when adding the egg mixture to prevent scrambling.
- Customize with garlic or parsley if desired, but purists may prefer the classic version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ~1.5 cups
- Calories: ~480
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 200mg