Spaghetti Carbonara

🕒 Prep: 10 min
🔥 Cook: 8 min
🍽 Serves: 4
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Spaghetti Carbonara is a classic Italian dish that brings comfort and elegance to the dinner table with minimal fuss. It's all about creamy, cheesy goodness combined with the savory punch of pancetta — perfect for transforming a regular weeknight meal into something special.

Ingredients for Spaghetti Carbonara

Spaghetti serves as the perfect base, absorbing all the flavorful goodness from the pancetta and sauce. Pancetta, with its salty, slightly sweet flavor, crisps up to add texture and depth. The eggs and Parmesan cheese come together to create a silky sauce that coats each strand of pasta. Freshly ground black pepper adds a gentle kick and warmth. Using olive oil enhances the richness without overwhelming, while salt highlights all the flavors.

Tips & Tricks

  • Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and texture.
  • Don't rush the egg mixture; combining it off-heat prevents scrambling.
  • Save some pancetta bits for garnish to add a crispy texture on top.

Serving Suggestions

Pair your Spaghetti Carbonara with a crisp, green salad dressed with a simple vinaigrette to balance the richness. A glass of chilled white wine, like a Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc, complements the dish wonderfully. For a complete Italian experience, serve with a side of garlic bread.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use bacon instead of pancetta?
Absolutely! Bacon will give a smokier flavor, but it works well as a substitute.
How can I make this dish vegetarian?
You can replace pancetta with sautéed mushrooms for a similar umami experience.
Why did my eggs scramble?
Make sure to remove the skillet from the heat before adding the egg mixture, and toss quickly to prevent scrambling.

Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe Walkthrough

First things first, get a large pot of salted water boiling. Toss in the spaghetti and let it cook until it's just al dente. This should take about 8-10 minutes. While it's cooking, make sure to scoop out about half a cup of that starchy pasta water and set it aside. You'll be surprised at how handy this little step can be later.

While your pasta is boiling away, heat up some olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced pancetta and let it sizzle until crispy, which should take around 4-5 minutes. The aroma filling your kitchen is just a bonus!

Next, grab a bowl and beat the eggs until they're smooth, then mix in the grated Parmesan cheese and black pepper. This mixture is your secret sauce — keep it handy.

Once the pasta is done, drain it and add it to the skillet with the crispy pancetta. Make sure to toss it well so the pasta gets a nice, even coating of the pancetta fat.

Here comes the crucial part: remove the skillet from the heat and quickly pour the egg and cheese mixture over the pasta. Toss everything immediately, making sure the sauce coats all the spaghetti strands. If the sauce appears too thick, slowly add the reserved pasta water until you achieve that creamy perfection.

Finally, taste and season with salt as needed. Serve immediately while it's beautifully hot and creamy.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and easy: Ready in under 30 minutes.
  • Minimal ingredients: Just a handful of pantry staples.
  • Rich, creamy flavor without the heavy cream.
  • Customizable to suit your taste preferences.

Ingredients

12 oz spaghetti
4 oz pancetta, diced
2 large eggs
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt to taste

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Cook the spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water and then drain the rest.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced pancetta and cook until crispy, about 4-5 minutes.
3. In a bowl, beat the eggs and mix in the grated Parmesan cheese and black pepper to form a creamy mixture.
4. Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with pancetta. Toss to combine and coat the pasta with the pancetta fat.
5. Remove the skillet from heat and quickly pour the egg and cheese mixture over the pasta. Toss the pasta immediately, using the reserved pasta water to adjust the creaminess if needed.
6. Season with salt to taste and serve immediately.

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