Spaghetti Carbonara: The Best Italian Classic You Can Learn to Make at Home

December 14, 2024

There’s simply no substitute for the rich, creamy flavor of the classic Spaghetti Carbonara. This Rome-born classic has won the hearts of culinary aficionados around the world with its combination of cheese, eggs, pancetta, and pepper. Decadent in taste yet deceptively easy to make, today I will show you how to make this Italian classic at home!

Spaghetti Carbonara: The Best Italian Classic You Can Learn to Make at Home
Ingredients:
For the Sauce:

  • 3 large eggs (preferably room temperature)
  • 1 cup (100g) grated Pecorino Romano cheese
  • 1 cup (100g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

For the Pasta:

  • 12 ounces (340g) spaghetti
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 6 ounces (170g) guanciale or pancetta, diced
  • Salt (for the pasta water)

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Pasta

  1. Bring enough salted water to a big pot to cover the spaghetti. Bring to a boil. Cook spaghetti until al dente (usually 8–10 minutes).
  2. Save 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining. This will be used to make the creamy sauce later on.

Step 2: Make the Carbonara Sauce

  1. Whisk the eggs, Pecorino Romano, Parmesan, and plenty of freshly cracked black pepper together in a bowl until smooth and creamy.
  2. Set aside and let the sauce rest while you cook the pancetta.

Step 3: Cook the Pancetta

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet on the medium heat. Add the pancetta, diced, and cook for 3–4 minutes until brown and crispy.
  2. Remove the skillet from the heat and let cool a bit.

Step 4: Combine Everything

  1. Add the pasta, drained, to the pancetta-filled skillet, and see that the pasta is nicely coated with the fat rendered.
  2. Add the egg mixture gradually, tossing quickly to coat the pasta evenly. Loosen the sauce with some reserved pasta cooking water if necessary.
  3. The heat from the pasta and pancetta will cook the eggs, forming a rich, creamy sauce. Be careful not to scramble the eggs β€” keep the pasta tossing for a smooth texture.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!

  1. Season with extra black pepper and extra cheese, if desired.
  2. Serve hot, and indulge in your rich, delicious, and comforting Spaghetti Carbonara!

πŸ“¦ Amazon Must-Haves to Make the Perfect Spaghetti Carbonara

  • 🍝 Pasta Pot with Strainer β€” Simplify boiling and draining with one smart pot.
  • 🍝 Pasta Spoon β€” Ideal for mixing pasta and sauce gently and thoroughly.
  • 🍳 Balloon Whisk β€” Perfect for whipping up a creamy, lump-free egg and cheese mixture.
  • πŸ§„ Garlic Press β€” Add rich garlic flavor effortlessly (optional for purists).
  • πŸ§€ Cheese Grater β€” Essential for finely grating Pecorino Romano or Parmesan.

With these essential tools and this classic Spaghetti Carbonara recipe, you’ll be whipping up restaurant-quality Italian meals right in your own kitchen! Give it a try and let us know how it turns out!