Ingredients for Classic Spaghetti Carbonara
- Spaghetti – 400g (for 4 servings)
- Pancetta or guanciale – 150g, chopped into small pieces (or you can use bacon as a substitute)
- Eggs – 4 large (use only the yolks)
- Parmesan cheese – 1/2 cup, finely grated (or Pecorino Romano cheese for a sharper flavor)
- Garlic – 2 cloves, peeled (optional)
- Olive oil – 1 tablespoon (optional, if needed for cooking the pancetta/bacon)
- Salt – to taste (for pasta water)
- Black pepper – freshly cracked, to taste (preferably coarsely ground)
Cooking Instructions for making Classic Spaghetti Carbonara
Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
Prepare the pancetta (or bacon): While the pasta is cooking, heat a large pan over medium heat. Add a little olive oil (if needed) and then the chopped pancetta or bacon. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pancetta is crispy and golden brown. If using garlic, you can add it to the pan during the last minute of cooking to infuse flavor, then remove and discard it.
Make the carbonara sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and grated Parmesan cheese (or Pecorino Romano). Add freshly cracked black pepper to taste. The mixture should be smooth and creamy.
Combine pasta and pancetta: Once the pasta is done and drained, add it immediately to the pan with the cooked pancetta. Toss the pasta in the pan to coat it in the rendered fat from the pancetta.
Add the sauce: Remove the pan from the heat and quickly pour the egg and cheese mixture over the hot pasta. Toss vigorously to combine. The heat from the pasta will cook the egg yolks, creating a creamy sauce. Add some reserved pasta water a little at a time if you need to adjust the consistency of the sauce.
Serve: Divide the carbonara among plates and top with extra black pepper and more grated cheese, if desired. Serve immediately.
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