Description
This classic spaghetti carbonara recipe features a creamy and flavorful sauce made with eggs, Parmesan cheese, pancetta, and black pepper, served over perfectly cooked spaghetti. It’s a simple yet decadent Italian pasta dish that’s quick to prepare, making it perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces spaghetti
Sauce
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Meat
- 6 ounces pancetta, diced
Additional
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt, for pasta water
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente according to package instructions, typically about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
- Prepare the pancetta and garlic: While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced pancetta and cook until crispy, about 4-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic during the last minute and sauté until fragrant, making sure not to burn it. Remove from heat.
- Mix eggs and cheese: In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, grated Parmesan cheese, and a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper until well combined.
- Toss pasta with pancetta: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with pancetta and garlic. Toss to combine and slightly cool so the eggs don’t scramble when added.
- Create the carbonara sauce: Remove the skillet from heat. Slowly pour the egg and cheese mixture over the pasta while tossing continuously to create a creamy sauce. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
- Serve: Divide the spaghetti carbonara among plates. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese, a crack of black pepper, and chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use room temperature eggs for better sauce texture.
- Make sure to toss the pasta off the heat to prevent eggs from scrambling.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
- Pancetta can be substituted with bacon if unavailable.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free spaghetti.
