Spaghetti Carbonara is a traditional Italian pasta dish known for its creamy texture, simple ingredients, and rich flavor. Originating from Rome, it has become a worldwide favorite, adored for its comforting taste and the ease of its preparation.
The dish is made with just a few key ingredients: spaghetti, eggs, Pecorino Romano cheese, guanciale (or pancetta), and black pepper. The choice of pasta is crucial; spaghetti is traditionally used, but other long pasta like fettuccine or linguine can also work well. Guanciale, a type of Italian cured meat, is preferred for its rich flavor, but pancetta or bacon can serve as substitutes.
Preparation of Carbonara involves cooking the pasta until al dente and simultaneously sautéing the guanciale to a crisp texture. The sauce is a mixture of eggs, grated Pecorino Romano cheese, and freshly ground black pepper, whisked together. The heat from the cooked spaghetti is used to gently cook the egg mixture, creating a creamy sauce without curdling the eggs.
An important aspect of making Carbonara is the timing and technique. The pasta must be hot when mixed with the egg and cheese mixture to create a smooth, silky sauce. It’s vital to avoid direct heat when adding the eggs to prevent them from scrambling. The result should be a creamy, rich sauce that coats the pasta evenly.
Serving Spaghetti Carbonara is typically done immediately after preparation. The dish is best enjoyed fresh and hot. It’s often garnished with additional grated Pecorino Romano cheese and a sprinkle of black pepper. Some variations might include a garnish of fresh herbs or a slight drizzle of olive oil for extra flavor.
Authentic Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe | Easy and Creamy Italian Pasta
Details Spaghetti Carbonara Recipes
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Servings: 8
Ingredients For Spaghetti Carbonara Recipes
1 pound spaghetti
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided, or as needed
8 slices bacon, diced
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
¼ cup dry white wine
4 large eggs, beaten
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
salt and black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions: Spaghetti Carbonara Recipes
Step 1: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Drain, toss spaghetti with 1 tablespoon olive oil, and set aside.
Step 2: Place diced bacon in a large skillet over medium heat; cook and stir until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain bacon on paper towels, reserving 2 tablespoons bacon fat in the skillet.
Step 3: Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to bacon fat in the skillet. Add chopped onion and cook over medium heat until onion is translucent. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add wine and cook 1 minute more.
Step 4: Return cooked bacon to the skillet; add cooked spaghetti. Toss to coat and heat through, adding more olive oil if it seems dry or sticks together. Add beaten eggs and cook, tossing constantly with tongs or a large fork, until eggs are barely set. Quickly add 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and toss again. Season with salt and pepper (remember that bacon and Parmesan are very salty).
Step 5: Serve warm with chopped parsley sprinkled on top and extra Parmesan cheese at the table.
I made this tonight for dinner and we loved it! I added half & half to the beaten eggs, and also warmed some up & stirred it into the dish at the end. It made for a lovely creamy texture. This is going into my quick dinners rotation!
I made the best Carbonara by following this recipe.
Fantastic as is!
Had to add more olive oil than recommended. Overall it was really good and the kids have asked for it more than once! That's a winner!
I made it without onions (I do not eat onions) and used linguine (because I grabbed that box instead of spaghetti…🙄). I loved it, but more importantly - the hubby & kid liked it as well! I appreciate the simple recipe and get this: I found tossing the pasta, bacon, eggs & cheese with 2 wooden spoons to be very….relaxing! Who knew?? Oops - forgot to take a picture…1
This was, and I quote "restaurant quality!" Delicious. Will definitely make again. Only thing I did "different" was I had to make the heavy cream with butter and whole milk.
This was really yummy. Everyone liked it. I’ll be making again very soon.
✅What are the essential ingredients in a traditional Spaghetti Carbonara recipe?
The traditional Spaghetti Carbonara recipe is renowned for its simplicity and requires only a few essential ingredients: spaghetti, eggs (particularly egg yolks for some variations), Pecorino Romano cheese, guanciale (or pancetta as a substitute), and freshly cracked black pepper. These ingredients work together to create a rich, creamy sauce, embodying the authentic flavors of this classic Roman dish.
✅How do you prevent the eggs from scrambling in Spaghetti Carbonara?
The key to preventing the eggs from scrambling in Spaghetti Carbonara lies in the technique of tempering. After cooking the pasta, it's important to mix the egg and cheese mixture with the hot pasta off the heat. The residual heat from the pasta cooks the eggs gently, creating a creamy sauce without turning the eggs into scrambled ones. It’s also beneficial to whisk the eggs and cheese thoroughly before adding them to the pasta, ensuring a smooth consistency.
✅Can cream be used in Spaghetti Carbonara?
Traditional Spaghetti Carbonara does not include cream. The creamy texture of the dish is achieved by emulsifying the eggs and cheese with the hot pasta and rendered fat from the guanciale. Adding cream is not authentic to the Roman recipe and can alter the intended flavor and texture of the dish. However, some modern variations do include cream for a different style of Carbonara.
✅What is the best type of pasta to use for Spaghetti Carbonara?
While spaghetti is the traditional choice for Carbonara, this dish can also be made with other types of long pasta. Linguine, fettuccine, or bucatini are excellent alternatives that similarly hold the creamy sauce well. The key is to use a pasta that allows the egg and cheese mixture to cling to it, providing a good balance of sauce with each bite.
✅What can be used as a substitute for guanciale in Spaghetti Carbonara?
If guanciale is not available, pancetta is the most common substitute used in Spaghetti Carbonara. Pancetta, another Italian cured meat, is similar in texture and fat content, though it has a slightly different flavor profile. In a pinch, bacon can also be used, though it will impart a smokier flavor to the dish that isn't typical of traditional Carbonara.
