This spaghetti carbonara recipe is so rich and decadent, yet so incredibly easy to make!
Pasta is tossed in a delicious and easy parmesan sauce with hearty pancetta. The heat from the pasta cooks the sauce for a quick and creamy dish in no time!
This easy carbonara recipe makes a restaurant-worthy meal at home in just minutes.
Ingredients for spaghetti carbonara
Spaghetti a la carbonara is one of the easiest recipes to make!
Meat: This carbonara recipe uses bacon, a salted pork belly, adds a salty flavor to this recipe. If you don’t have pancetta, bacon works as a substitute. In Italy, Guancialethat’s cured pork jowl or pork jowl, usually used for pasta carbonara, but it’s hard to find where I live so I use pancetta on the spot.
Cheese: While it is common in North America to use Parmesan cheese, traditionally Pecorino Romano cheese is used in spaghetti carbonara. Use whatever cheese you prefer or have on hand.
eggs: Eggs are a key ingredient in carbonara and give the sauce a rich and creamy texture. The heat from the pasta will cook the eggs. A traditional carbonara does not contain cream.
Pasta: A long noodles works well in this recipe; We use spaghetti for a classic spaghetti carbonara.
This pasta carbonara recipe features a creamy egg-based sauce. The heat from the pasta will cook the eggs.
- Make sure the eggs are at room temperature and whisked before cooking the pasta.
- Prepare all the ingredients, the pasta must be hot to cook the egg.
- Reserve some of the pasta cooking water to adjust the consistency of the sauce.
How to make spaghetti carbonara
- Whisk Sauce: Whisk together the eggs, Parmesan cheese, and black pepper in a bowl and set aside.
- Cook pasta: Cook the pasta until it is “al dente”. Don’t rinse the pasta, the starch helps the sauce’s consistency.
- throw together: Quickly add the egg mixture to the hot cooked noodles and mix together. The egg will thicken as the pasta heats up. (Add a little pasta water if needed to get the right consistency.)
- Sprinkle with some parmesan and garnish with some chopped parsley!
Serve with a fresh Italian salad and homemade garlic bread for the perfect Italian-inspired meal!
More Italian-inspired favorites
Wine pairing: Spaghetti carbonara is a rich pasta dish, so the best wine pairings are always crisp whites like pinot grigios or gris. Let the full-bodied taste of eggs, cheese and garlic take center stage and pair it with a light wine flavored with pear or citrus.
Did you like this spaghetti carbonara? Be sure to leave a review or comment below!
Spaghetti carbonara
Spaghettini Carbonara are pasta in a deliciously creamy Parmesan sauce with hearty bacon.
-
In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, Parmesan cheese, and black pepper. Put aside.
-
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, fry the pancetta until crispy. Remove from pan with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add the garlic to the pan and fry for 1 minute.
-
Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large saucepan of salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water. Drain well but do not rinse.
-
Add the hot, drained pasta to the pan with the garlic and toss.
-
Remove the pan from the heat and pour in the egg mixture, mixing well with tongs. Add reserved pasta water, if needed, to adjust sauce consistency.
-
Add the pancetta or bacon and toss until well combined. Season to taste with additional salt.
-
Serve hot, garnished with parsley or additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
- Make sure the eggs are at room temperature before you start.
- This dish is quick to prepare. Prepare all the ingredients before you start.
- Cook the pasta until al dente or firm.
- Do not rinse the pasta, the starch will help the sauce stick.
- If necessary, add some pasta water to create a creamy consistency.
Calories: 437 | Carbohydrates: 57G | Protein: 20G | Fat: 13G | Saturated Fatty Acids: 5G | Cholesterol: 102mg | Sodium: 395mg | Potassium: 241mg | Fiber: 2G | Sugar: 2G | Vitamin A: 250ie | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 227mg | Iron: 1.6mg
Nutritional information given is an estimate and will vary depending on cooking method and brand of ingredients used.
course main course
Kitchen American, Italian© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photos are protected by copyright. Sharing this recipe is encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting complete recipes to social media is strictly prohibited. Please see my photo usage policy here.
