Easy Italian Spaghetti Carbonara
This Easy Italian Spaghetti Carbonara recipe offers a quick, authentic, and creamy pasta dish made with simple, everyday ingredients. Featuring spaghetti, pancetta, eggs, Pecorino Romano cheese, and freshly ground black pepper, it delivers rich Italian flavors with minimal fuss, perfect for a comforting weeknight or casual dinner.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian option available, can be made gluten-free with gluten-free pasta
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 400g (14 oz) spaghetti
- Salt (for pasta water)
Meat
- 150g (5 oz) pancetta or guanciale, diced
Sauce
- 3 large whole eggs (or 2 whole eggs + 1 yolk)
- 100g (1 cup) grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta: Start by boiling a large pot of salted water and cook the spaghetti until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Reserve one cup of the pasta cooking water before draining to use in the sauce.
- Cook the Pancetta: While the pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced pancetta or guanciale and cook until crispy and golden, rendering flavorful fat.
- Mix the Egg and Cheese: In a bowl, whisk together the eggs and grated Pecorino Romano cheese until smooth and combined well; this will form the creamy base of the sauce.
- Combine Pasta with Pancetta and Sauce: Return the drained spaghetti to the pan with the pancetta off the heat to prevent scrambling the eggs. Quickly pour the egg and cheese mixture over the pasta and toss vigorously. Add reserved pasta water gradually to achieve a silky, creamy consistency that coats every strand.
- Season and Serve: Stir in freshly ground black pepper generously and adjust salt if necessary. Serve immediately while warm to keep the sauce creamy and luscious.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce texture and help bind ingredients smoothly.
- Remove the pan from direct heat before adding egg mixture to avoid scrambling eggs.
- Using fresh eggs and high-quality Pecorino Romano cheese greatly improves flavor and texture.
- Cook spaghetti al dente for best sauce absorption and bite.
- Freshly cracked black pepper adds essential aroma and flavor depth.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/4 recipe)
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg
Keywords: Italian, Spaghetti Carbonara, Easy Carbonara, Pasta, Traditional Italian, Quick Dinner, Creamy Pasta, Pancetta Carbonara
Find it online: https://mealsbysarah.com/easy-italian-spaghetti-carbonara/
