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Spaghetti alla Carbonara (Authentic Roman Recipe)

An egg-based spaghetti dish which comes from the Lazio region, and is made with guanciale and Pecorino cheese.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Additional Time
3 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 5
Calories: 805 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 7 oz Guanciale (see notes regarding substitutions)
  • 1 tsp lard (organic)
  • 5 egg yolks (organic)
  • 5 oz Pecorino Romano, DOP cheese grated
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 lb Spaghetti (high quality)

Instructions

Cook the Pasta:
    Cup of Yum
  1. Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil to cook the pasta.
  2. Just before it starts to boil, add enough salt so that the pasta will be salted.
Prepare the Guanciale/Meat:
  1. Slice the guanciale (remove the rind), pancetta or bacon into bite sized pieces or strips.
  2. In a large pan (I used a wok) over medium-low heat, add the lard, then add the sliced guanciale (pancetta or bacon pieces). Cook until just starting to brown, but do not let it get dark or crisp. While the pasta and guanciale cook…
Make the Sauce:
  1. Beat the egg yolks in a bowl, then stir in the grated Pecorino cheese. Add some grated black pepper, next. Do not add salt: the Pecorino is salty, and we’re adding salted pasta water next.
  2. Now, pour in some of the pasta water a little at a time and beat into the egg mixture. It should form a nice sauce.
Combine the Ingredients:
  1. When the guanciale is ready, turn off the heat. When the pasta is ready, remove it from the water and add directly into the guanciale in the pan. Stir to combine well.
  2. Now it’s time to add the egg mixture. Do not turn the burner on, this is done off the heat.
  3. Continue to mix well until the egg mixture forms a creamy, smooth sauce on the pasta. It’s so glossy and beautiful when made correctly: no clumps or curdled eggs
  4. Using a large fork, or kitchen tweezers, twirl some of the pasta into a ladle. Bring the ladle to the plate. Keep twirling as you start to remove the ladle
  5. Remove the ladle and place the pasta onto the plate. Gently remove the tweezers Grate some more cheese on top of the pasta And grate some black pepper, too.
  6. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • As long as you know the authentic Italian recipe, feel free to make it your own version.
  • I would advise trying to make it as written the first time to see how it is, and then making changes (as will all other recipes).
  • To make the genuine recipe, you need to use guanciale and Pecorino Romano, however, if you are outside of Italy, guanciale is quite difficult (and expensive) to source, so please don't fret if you have to use pancetta or bacon, or Parmigiano Reggiano instead of Pecorino (a cow's milk cheese instead of a sheep's milk cheese).
  • It's better to use quality ingredients over the "right" ingredients. For example, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese would be my choice over a copycat Pecorino cheese. Also, if you can buy guanciale, but it's full of spices and nitrates, use a plain pancetta, or nitrate-free bacon, instead.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 Calories 805kcal (40%) Carbohydrates 70g (23%) Protein 28g (56%) Fat 45g (69%) Saturated Fat 19g (95%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 5g Cholesterol 293mg (98%) Sodium 1161mg (48%) Potassium 252mg (7%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 3g (6%) Vitamin A 413IU (8%) Calcium 348mg (35%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 5Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 805

% Daily Value*

Serving 1
Calories 805kcal 40%
Carbohydrates 70g 23%
Protein 28g 56%
Fat 45g 69%
Saturated Fat 19g 95%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 5g 25%
Cholesterol 293mg 98%
Sodium 1161mg 48%
Potassium 252mg 5%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 3g 6%
Vitamin A 413IU 8%
Calcium 348mg 35%
Iron 2mg 11%

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

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