Whenever I need a quick but impressive dinner, I turn to this spaghetti carbonara recipe. It’s one of those comforting classics that feels fancy but comes together in under 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights or date night at home. If you’re browsing more pasta favorites, you can also check out all my pasta recipes here.
What You’ll Need
Carbonara is all about a few good-quality ingredients. Here’s what to gather:
- Spaghetti (or any long pasta)
- Eggs (yolks give richness)
- Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese, finely grated
- Pancetta, guanciale, or bacon
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- Olive oil (optional)
- A large skillet and a mixing bowl
Step-by-Step Guide to Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe
Step 1 — Cook the pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti until just al dente. Save 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
Step 2 — Sauté the pancetta
In a skillet, cook pancetta until crispy and golden. This gives you a flavorful base. Remove from heat to avoid burning.
Step 3 — Mix eggs and cheese
In a bowl, whisk together egg yolks, whole eggs, and cheese. Add a good pinch of black pepper. The heat from the pasta will cook this mixture gently.
Step 4 — Combine pasta and sauce
Quickly toss the hot pasta with pancetta, then stir in the egg mixture off the heat. Add pasta water a splash at a time until creamy. Serve immediately.
Pro Tips & Easy Swaps
- Swap pancetta with crispy bacon if needed.
- Use Pecorino Romano for a sharper flavor, Parmesan for a mellower one.
- Whisk eggs well to avoid streaks of cooked whites.
- Add pasta water slowly — too much makes it soupy.
- Keep the skillet off heat when adding eggs to prevent scrambling.
- Save leftovers in the fridge up to 2 days; reheat gently with a splash of water.
- On a budget? Use regular spaghetti and Parmesan instead of specialty pasta and cheese.
- Avoid adding cream — traditional carbonara relies only on eggs and cheese.
Serving Ideas & Variations
Carbonara shines on its own, but here are some fun twists:
- Pair with garlic bread or a fresh green salad.
- Add peas or sautéed mushrooms for extra veggies.
- Try linguine or fettuccine instead of spaghetti.
- Make it spicy with a pinch of chili flakes.
- Top with extra grated cheese at the table.
- Serve with a crisp white wine or sparkling water with lemon.
Common Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)
- Scrambled eggs: Remove from heat before adding egg mixture.
- Dry pasta: Add more reserved pasta water until creamy.
- Too salty: Use less salt in pasta water if pancetta is very salty.
- Cheese clumps: Grate cheese very finely for smooth melting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You can use bacon or even turkey bacon if you prefer. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.
This happens if the eggs get too much direct heat. Always add the egg mixture off the heat and toss quickly with pasta.
Reheat gently on low heat with a splash of water. Stir constantly to bring back the creamy texture without overcooking.
Yes, but yolks create a richer sauce. A mix of yolks and whole eggs balances creaminess with less heaviness.
Spaghetti Carbonara
Ingredients
Method
- Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water.
- Cook pancetta in a skillet until crispy. Remove from heat.
- In a bowl, whisk yolks, egg, and cheese with black pepper.
- Add hot pasta to skillet, tossing with pancetta.
- Off the heat, stir in egg mixture quickly.
- Add pasta water a little at a time until creamy.
- Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Serve immediately with extra cheese and pepper.
