Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe
This authentic Spaghetti Carbonara recipe features crispy pancetta, creamy egg and Pecorino Romano cheese sauce, and perfectly cooked al dente spaghetti for a rich and comforting Italian classic.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 12 oz. pancetta or guanciale, cut into 1/4” pieces
- 1 Tbsp. kosher salt
- 1 lb. spaghetti
- 5 large egg yolks
- 1 large egg
- 4 oz. Pecorino Romano, finely grated (about 2 cups)
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Cook Pancetta: In a medium skillet over medium-low heat, cook pancetta, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and crispy, about 20 to 25 minutes. Once cooked, transfer the pancetta to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat.
- Boil Pasta: Meanwhile, bring 10 cups of water mixed with 1 tablespoon kosher salt to a boil in a large pot. Add the spaghetti and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente according to the package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Prepare Egg Mixture: When the pasta is almost ready, whisk together the 5 egg yolks, 1 whole egg, and 4 oz. finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese in a large heatproof bowl until just combined.
- Toss Pasta and Sauce: Immediately transfer the hot drained spaghetti into the egg and cheese mixture. Add the crispy pancetta and 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water, stirring vigorously. Add an additional 2 to 4 tablespoons of pasta water if the sauce seems too thick. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth and glossy. Season generously with freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Notes
- Use guanciale for a more traditional flavor, but pancetta works well too.
- Make sure to toss pasta with the egg mixture off the heat to avoid scrambling the eggs.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency for a creamy texture.
- The sauce should be rich, smooth, and glossy without being runny or dry.
- Freshly ground black pepper is essential for authentic flavor.
Keywords: Spaghetti Carbonara, Italian Pasta, Pancetta Pasta, Traditional Carbonara, Creamy Pasta Sauce
Find it online: https://flavorsbymaya.com/spaghetti-carbonara-recipe/
