Spaghetti alla Carbonara
An authentic Roman pasta dish featuring crispy guanciale, a rich sauce made from eggs and Pecorino Romano cheese, and a generous amount of black pepper. This recipe strictly adheres to the traditional method, omitting cream for a pure, unadulterated flavor.
🧂 Ingredients
- 400 g Spaghetti(High-quality durum wheat spaghetti is recommended.)
- 200 g Guanciale(Cured pork jowl. If unavailable, high-quality pancetta can be substituted, but guanciale is traditional and provides a superior flavor.)
- 4 Egg yolks(Use fresh, high-quality eggs.)
- 2 Whole eggs(Use fresh, high-quality eggs.)
- 100 g Pecorino Romano cheese(Finely grated. This salty, hard sheep's milk cheese is essential for the authentic flavor.)
- 2 teaspoons Black pepper(Freshly and coarsely ground. Adjust to taste, but a generous amount is key.)
- to taste Salt(For pasta water. Use sparingly as guanciale and Pecorino are salty.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the guanciale: Cut the guanciale into small lardons (about 1cm thick). Place the guanciale in a large, cold skillet or frying pan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the fat has rendered and the guanciale is golden brown and crispy. This should take about 8-10 minutes. Remove the crispy guanciale pieces from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside on a plate lined with paper towel, leaving the rendered fat in the pan. Keep the pan with the rendered fat warm over very low heat or off the heat.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 2
Make the egg and cheese mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together the 4 egg yolks and 2 whole eggs until well combined. Add the finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese and the freshly ground black pepper. Whisk vigorously until you have a thick, creamy paste. Set aside.
⏱️ 3 minutes - 3
Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add a generous pinch of salt (remembering the guanciale and cheese are salty). Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente – tender but still with a slight bite. Before draining, reserve about 1.5 to 2 cups (350-475ml) of the starchy pasta water. Drain the spaghetti well.
⏱️ 10-12 minutes - 4
Combine and emulsify: Immediately add the drained spaghetti to the pan containing the warm rendered guanciale fat. Toss well to coat the pasta. Remove the pan from the heat entirely. This is crucial to prevent the eggs from scrambling. Pour the egg and cheese mixture over the hot pasta. Toss quickly and continuously, adding a splash (about 1/4 cup or 60ml) of the reserved hot pasta water. The heat from the pasta and the water will gently cook the eggs, creating a creamy, emulsified sauce that coats the spaghetti. Continue tossing and adding more pasta water a tablespoon at a time, if needed, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency – it should be glossy and creamy, not watery or clumpy. Add the reserved crispy guanciale pieces and toss again.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 5
Serve immediately: Divide the Carbonara among warm serving bowls. Garnish with extra grated Pecorino Romano cheese and a final grind of black pepper. Serve immediately, as Carbonara is best enjoyed fresh.
⏱️ 1 minute
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Authenticity is key: Use guanciale and Pecorino Romano for the true Roman flavor.
- ✓Temperature control: Always combine the egg mixture with the pasta off the heat to avoid scrambling the eggs. The residual heat is sufficient.
- ✓Pasta water is your friend: The starchy pasta water is essential for creating a smooth, creamy sauce and helps emulsify the fats and egg.
- ✓Don't overcook the pasta: Al dente is crucial for the texture of Carbonara.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Rigatoni alla Carbonara: Substitute rigatoni or another short pasta shape for spaghetti.
- Pancetta Carbonara: Use high-quality pancetta if guanciale is unavailable.