Description
Indulge in the creamy, savory goodness of Spaghetti Carbonara, featuring al dente pasta, crispy pancetta, and a rich egg and cheese sauce. This classic Italian dish is quick to prepare, making it the perfect comfort food for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 400g spaghetti
- 150g pancetta or guanciale, diced
- 3 large eggs
- 100g Pecorino Romano cheese, grated
- 50g Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- Salt, for pasta water
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water, add a generous amount of salt, and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Grate the Pecorino Romano and Parmesan cheese finely, mixing them together in a bowl.
- Cut the pancetta or guanciale into small cubes for even cooking.
- In a bowl, whisk together the eggs and add freshly cracked black pepper.
- Add the spaghetti to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Stir occasionally.
- Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water.
- Drain the spaghetti in a colander without rinsing.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the diced pancetta for 5-7 minutes until crispy. Add garlic in the last minute if using.
- Take the skillet off the heat to prevent the eggs from scrambling.
- Toss the drained spaghetti in the skillet with the pancetta until well coated.
- Quickly pour the egg mixture over the hot pasta, tossing continuously to create a creamy sauce. Add reserved pasta water as needed for consistency.
- Sprinkle the grated cheeses over the pasta, tossing until melted and combined.
- Adjust seasoning with more black pepper or salt if necessary.
- Optionally, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top.
- Plate the pasta and top with additional cheese and black pepper if desired.
Notes
- Use Quality Ingredients: Authentic Italian pancetta or guanciale and high-quality cheese make a significant difference in flavor.
- Timing is Key: Work quickly when combining the eggs with the pasta to ensure a creamy texture without scrambling the eggs.
- Experiment with Flavors: Feel free to add your own twist, but traditional Carbonara is best enjoyed in its classic form.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes