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Spaghetti Carbonara

Spaghetti Carbonara is a classic Italian pasta dish made by tossing cooked spaghetti with a sauce composed of eggs, grated Pecorino Romano cheese, and black pepper. Crispy pancetta or guanciale is mixed in to add richness and texture, resulting in a creamy, savory coating that clings to the pasta. The dish features a silky sauce with bits of rendered meat and a firm, al dente texture in the pasta.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 620

Ingredients
  

  • 400 g spaghetti preferably fresh or dried
  • 150 g pancetta or guanciale diced
  • 3 large eggs room temperature
  • 100 g Pecorino Romano cheese finely grated
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil for frying

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Strainer
  • Large skillet or frying pan
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Tongs or pasta fork

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil, add a generous pinch of salt, and cook the spaghetti until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside, reserving about 1 cup of pasta water.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat, add the diced pancetta or guanciale and olive oil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is crispy and golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
    400 g spaghetti
  3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, grated Pecorino Romano cheese, and a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper until thoroughly combined.
    400 g spaghetti
  4. Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with pancetta, tossing to coat the pasta in the rendered fat. Remove from heat to prevent the eggs from scrambling.
    400 g spaghetti
  5. Slowly pour the egg and cheese mixture into the hot pasta, tossing vigorously with tongs or a fork to create a creamy sauce. If necessary, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to achieve desired looseness and silkiness of the sauce.
    400 g spaghetti
  6. Serve immediately, garnished with extra black pepper and additional grated Pecorino Romano if desired, ensuring the pasta remains warm and creamy.
    400 g spaghetti