Description
A classic Roman pasta dish made with just a handful of ingredients—guanciale, eggs, Pecorino Romano, and black pepper—creating a rich, creamy sauce without the use of cream. This dish is simple, yet mastering its technique will elevate your pasta game.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz fettuccine (or spaghetti, rigatoni)
- 4 oz guanciale, diced (pancetta can be substituted)
- 2 whole eggs + 2 egg yolks, room temperature
- 1 cup Pecorino Romano, freshly grated (Parmesan can be used, but Pecorino is preferred)
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup reserved pasta water (for emulsifying the sauce)
Instructions
-
Cook the Guanciale:
- In a dry pan over medium heat, cook the diced guanciale until crispy (about 4-5 minutes).
- Remove from heat and set aside, keeping the rendered fat in the pan.
-
Boil the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
- Cook fettuccine until al dente (1-2 minutes less than package instructions).
- Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
-
Prepare the Egg Mixture:
- In a bowl, whisk together eggs, yolks, grated Pecorino Romano, and black pepper.
- Add 2 tablespoons of reserved pasta water while whisking to temper the eggs.
-
Combine the Ingredients:
- Add drained pasta to the pan with guanciale and toss to coat in the rendered fat.
- Remove pan from heat completely before adding the egg mixture.
- Quickly toss the pasta while gradually adding reserved pasta water, until the sauce reaches a silky, creamy consistency.
-
Final Adjustments:
- Stir continuously for about 30 seconds to ensure a smooth sauce.
- If needed, add more pasta water to loosen the sauce to the perfect texture.
- Taste and adjust seasoning, adding extra black pepper as desired.
-
Serve Immediately:
- Carbonara thickens as it cools, so serve fresh!
- Garnish with additional grated Pecorino Romano and black pepper.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Servings: 2-3
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Protein: 25g