If you’re searching for the best Spaghetti Carbonara recipe, you’ve come to the right place. This Italian comfort food classic is creamy, savoury, and comes together in just 15 minutes. With only five ingredients, it’s the perfect balance of simplicity and authentic flavour.
Ingredients (2 servings)
- 200g spaghetti
- 100g pancetta (or guanciale, diced)
- 2 large eggs
- 50g Parmesan (or Pecorino Romano, grated)
- Black pepper (freshly ground, to taste)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
- Cook the pancetta: Heat a pan over medium heat. Fry pancetta until crisp and golden. Remove from heat.
- Mix the sauce base: In a bowl, whisk eggs, cheese, and black pepper.
- Combine pasta and pancetta: Add drained spaghetti to the pan (off the heat). Toss with the rendered fat.
- Create the sauce: Pour in the egg-cheese mixture, tossing quickly so the eggs stay creamy. Add pasta water gradually until silky.
Serve immediately with extra cheese and pepper.
Tips for Perfect Carbonara
- Always toss the pasta off the heat to avoid scrambled eggs.
- Use guanciale and Pecorino Romano for the authentic Roman version.
- Add pasta water slowly to get that glossy, restaurant-style texture.
Why This Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe
Unlike heavy cream-based versions, this traditional Spaghetti Carbonara recipe relies on eggs and cheese for its rich, velvety sauce. It’s the ultimate Italian comfort food that feels indulgent but is easy enough for weeknights.
For more classic Italian dishes, check out our Bruschetta Like an Italian Nonna recipe!
If you’d like to dive deeper into the history of Carbonara, visit this excellent resource from La Cucina Italiana!
