Description
This classic Spaghetti Carbonara recipe combines crispy pancetta, garlic, and a creamy Parmesan-egg sauce for a quick and delicious Italian dinner. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s perfect for a comforting meal that requires minimal ingredients and effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 400g spaghetti
Protein and Aromatics
- 150g pancetta or guanciale, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- 3 large eggs
- 100g grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Additional grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta completely.
- Cook pancetta and garlic: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the diced pancetta or guanciale. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until it becomes crispy. Add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant, making sure not to burn the garlic.
- Prepare the sauce mixture: In a bowl, whisk together the eggs and grated Parmesan cheese until smooth. Season the mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper according to your taste preference.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the hot, drained spaghetti to the skillet with pancetta and garlic. Remove the skillet from heat immediately. Quickly pour the egg and cheese mixture over the pasta and toss vigorously to combine. The residual heat from the pasta gently cooks the eggs, forming a silky, creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach the desired consistency.
- Serve and garnish: Plate the spaghetti carbonara and garnish with freshly chopped parsley and additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Be sure to remove the skillet from heat before adding the egg mixture to avoid scrambling the eggs.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency as needed—it helps create a smooth, cohesive sauce.
- If you cannot find guanciale, pancetta is an excellent substitute.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and creaminess.
- This dish is best served immediately to enjoy its creamy texture and rich flavors.
