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Carbonara

A classic Italian pasta dish featuring al dente spaghetti tossed in a creamy, egg-and-Parmesan sauce with crispy pancetta and freshly cracked black pepper.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 550

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 12 ounces spaghetti
  • 6 ounces pancetta diced
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • salt for pasta water
  • chopped parsley for garnish (optional)

Equipment

  • Large pot for boiling pasta
  • Skillet or frying pan
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Colander

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat.
  2. Add spaghetti and cook for 8–10 minutes until al dente, stirring occasionally.
  3. While pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat and cook diced pancetta for 5–7 minutes until crispy.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs and grated Parmesan cheese until smooth.
  5. Once spaghetti is al dente, reserve ½ cup pasta water and drain the rest.
  6. Add hot spaghetti to the skillet with pancetta and toss to coat.
  7. Remove skillet from heat and quickly pour in egg-cheese mixture, stirring vigorously to form a creamy sauce.
  8. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency is reached, then season with black pepper and garnish with parsley.

Notes

Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days; reheat gently with a splash of water to restore creaminess.