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Creamy Authentic Italian Carbonara Recipe

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A quick and easy classic Italian pasta dish featuring a silky sauce made from eggs, Pecorino Romano, Parmesan, and crispy pancetta. Perfect for busy weeknights and family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (340 grams) dried spaghetti or your favorite long pasta
  • 6 ounces (170 grams) pancetta, diced
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (about 100 grams) freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese
  • ½ cup (about 50 grams) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1–2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, adjusted to taste
  • Salt, for pasta water and seasoning

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces (340 grams) of spaghetti and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve about 1 cup (240 ml) of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 6 ounces (170 grams) diced pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until crispy and golden, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat but leave pancetta and rendered fat in the pan.
  3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together 3 large eggs, 1 cup (100 grams) Pecorino Romano, ½ cup (50 grams) Parmesan, and 1-2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper until smooth and creamy.
  4. Drain the pasta and immediately add it to the skillet with pancetta. Toss well to coat the pasta in the flavorful fat. Ensure the pan is off the heat to avoid scrambling the eggs.
  5. Slowly pour the egg and cheese mixture over the pasta. Toss quickly and continuously to create a silky, creamy sauce that clings to every strand. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time as needed to loosen the sauce and achieve a perfect creamy texture.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add more black pepper or cheese if desired, but be cautious with salt since the cheese and pancetta are salty enough.
  7. Serve immediately. Garnish with extra Pecorino Romano and a fresh grind of black pepper.

Notes

Use room temperature eggs to prevent scrambling. Toss pasta with egg mixture off the heat and add reserved pasta water gradually to achieve a creamy sauce. Pancetta can be substituted with guanciale or bacon, but pancetta is preferred for authentic flavor. For dairy-free or vegetarian versions, substitute cheeses with nutritional yeast and pancetta with smoked tofu or mushrooms.

Nutrition

Keywords: carbonara, Italian pasta, creamy carbonara, pancetta pasta, easy carbonara recipe, authentic Italian carbonara

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/creamy-authentic-italian-carbonara-recipe-easy-step-by-step-guide/