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spaghetti carbonara recipe

Spaghetti Carbonara

This spaghetti carbonara recipe is creamy, comforting, and quick to make. A handful of simple ingredients create a classic Italian pasta dish that feels gourmet.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course dinner
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 520 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz 340 g spaghetti
  • 4 oz 115 g pancetta (or bacon), diced
  • 3 large egg yolks
  • 1 whole egg
  • 1 cup 100 g Pecorino Romano or Parmesan, finely grated
  • 1 tbsp olive oil optional
  • Salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water.
  • Cook pancetta in a skillet until crispy. Remove from heat.
    Cooking pancetta in skillet for classic spaghetti carbonara recipe
  • In a bowl, whisk yolks, egg, and cheese with black pepper.
  • Add hot pasta to skillet, tossing with pancetta.
    Tossing spaghetti pasta with pancetta to make creamy carbonara
  • 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.

Notes

Store leftovers up to 2 days in the fridge.
Reheat gently with a splash of water.
Substitute bacon if pancetta isn’t available.
Avoid cream for authentic flavor.
Keyword creamy pasta, easy weeknight dinner, Italian pasta, quick pasta recipe, spaghetti carbonara recipe