Easy Carbonara

User Reviews

5.0

33 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    10 mins

  • Cook Time

    10 mins

  • Total Time

    20 mins

  • Servings

    4

  • Calories

    666 kcal

  • Course

    Lunch, Dinner

  • Cuisine

    Italian

Easy Carbonara

This Easy Carbonara is the real deal—no cream, no shortcuts, just silky, cheesy, porky perfection in 20 minutes. Guanciale crisps up into salty little flavor bombs, fresh eggs and Pecorino Romano create a glossy sauce that clings to every strand, and a splash of pasta water brings it all together. Master the technique, and you’ll never need another Carbonara recipe again!

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Ingredients

Servings
  • 14 ounces Spaghetti
  • 5 ounces Guanciale or pancetta, diced
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup Pecorino Romano cheese freshly grated
  • ground black pepepr freshly ground, to taste
  • salt for pasta water
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Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Toss in your spaghetti and cook it until it's al dente. That's usually about 1 minute less than what the package says.
  2. While the pasta's cooking, grab a large skillet and heat it over medium heat. Toss in the diced pancetta or guanciale. Cook it until it's beautifully crispy – that's usually about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, Pecorino Romano, and a generous sprinkle of black pepper. This mix is the heart of your Carbonara.
  4. Once your pasta is perfectly al dente, save about 1 cup of the pasta water and then drain the rest. Now, here's the critical part – while the pasta is still really hot, add it to the skillet with the pancetta/guanciale. Toss it quickly to coat it in the fat.
  5. Then, remove the skillet from the heat and pour in your egg and cheese mixture. Toss everything together swiftly. The heat from the pasta cooks the egg, creating a creamy sauce. If it's too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta water.
  6. Carbonara waits for no one. Serve it hot with a bit more grated cheese and a sprinkle of black pepper.

Notes

  • Use guanciale if you can. Pancetta works, but guanciale gives the deep, rich, authentic flavor that makes Carbonara special.
  • No cream! The sauce comes from eggs, cheese, and pasta water. If it’s not creamy, it’s a technique issue—not a missing ingredient.
  • Take the pan off the heat before adding eggs. This is non-negotiable—otherwise, you’ll end up with scrambled eggs instead of that silky sauce.
  • Work fast! Carbonara is all about timing—drain the pasta, toss with the pork fat, and immediately mix in the eggs before everything cools down.
  • Use freshly grated Pecorino Romano. Pre-grated cheese doesn’t melt properly and won’t give you the right texture. 
  • Adjust with pasta water. If your sauce looks too thick, add a little reserved pasta water until it’s smooth and glossy.
  • Eat it immediately! Carbonara doesn’t wait—it’s at its best the second it hits the plate. Leftovers? Not the same, but if you must, reheat gently with a splash of water over low heat.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Serving 1serving Calories 666kcal (33%) Carbohydrates 76g (25%) Protein 30g (60%) Fat 26g (40%) Saturated Fat 10g (50%) Polyunsaturated Fat 4g Monounsaturated Fat 10g Trans Fat 0.1g Cholesterol 189mg (63%) Sodium 594mg (25%) Potassium 365mg (10%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 3g (6%) Vitamin A 319IU (6%) Calcium 310mg (31%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 666 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 666kcal 33%
Carbohydrates 76g 25%
Protein 30g 60%
Fat 26g 40%
Saturated Fat 10g 50%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4g 24%
Monounsaturated Fat 10g 50%
Trans Fat 0.1g 5%
Cholesterol 189mg 63%
Sodium 594mg 25%
Potassium 365mg 8%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 3g 6%
Vitamin A 319IU 6%
Calcium 310mg 31%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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5.0

33 reviews
Excellent

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