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Spaghetti Carbonara

Spaghetti Carbonara

Spaghetti Carbonara is a timeless Italian pasta dish made with eggs, Pecorino Romano cheese, crispy guanciale (or pancetta), and freshly cracked black pepper. Silky, rich, and comforting, this Roman classic delivers big flavor with just a handful of simple ingredients—no cream required.

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

12 oz (340 g) spaghetti

4 oz guanciale (or pancetta), diced

2 large eggs + 2 egg yolks

3/4 cup finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese (plus more for serving)

1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper (or to taste)

Salt (for pasta water)

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta
    Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.

  2. Cook the Guanciale
    While pasta cooks, sauté guanciale in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp and golden. Remove from heat.

  3. Make the Egg Mixture
    In a bowl, whisk together eggs, egg yolks, Pecorino Romano, and black pepper until smooth.

  4. Combine
    Add hot spaghetti to the skillet with guanciale. Toss to coat. Remove skillet from heat and quickly stir in egg mixture, tossing constantly to create a creamy sauce. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time until silky.

  5. Serve Immediately
    Top with extra Pecorino Romano and black pepper. Enjoy right away.

Notes

 Cooking Tips

  • No cream needed: The sauce becomes creamy from eggs, cheese, and pasta water.

  • Temperature matters: Remove the pan from heat before adding eggs to avoid scrambling.

  • Cheese choice: Pecorino Romano is traditional—Parmigiano-Reggiano can be used but changes flavor.

  • Salt wisely: Guanciale and cheese are salty; season pasta water but taste before adding more salt.

Variations

  • Pancetta Carbonara: Substitute pancetta if guanciale isn’t available.

  • Parmesan Blend: Use half Pecorino Romano, half Parmesan for a milder taste.

  • Spicy Carbonara: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes.

  • Protein Boost: Stir in sautéed mushrooms or peas (non-traditional but popular).

  • Whole Wheat Option: Swap in whole wheat spaghetti for added fiber.

  • Author: Emma
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 520
  • Sodium: 780mg
  • Fat: 22g
  • Carbohydrates: 55g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 22g

Find it online: https://greatfoodrecipe.com/spaghetti-carbonara/

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