Description
This Spaghetti Carbonara recipe is a timeless Italian pasta dish featuring creamy eggs, salty pancetta, and Parmesan cheese. Quick and easy to prepare, it’s the ultimate comfort food for pasta lovers.
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 oz pancetta or bacon, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Fresh parsley or extra Parmesan for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook spaghetti in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- In a bowl, whisk together eggs and Parmesan cheese until smooth. Set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add pancetta and cook until crispy. If using garlic, add it in the last minute of cooking.
- Reduce heat to low and toss the hot pasta in the skillet with the pancetta. Remove from heat.
- Quickly pour the egg and cheese mixture over the pasta, stirring quickly to coat and create a creamy sauce. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach your desired consistency.
- Season with salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Garnish with parsley or extra Parmesan if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Work quickly when mixing the egg mixture into the pasta to avoid scrambling the eggs.
- Use guanciale instead of pancetta for a more authentic flavor.
- Serve immediately for the best creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 500mg