The Best Carbonara Recipe
There’s nothing quite like the magic of turning simple ingredients into something extraordinary, and that’s exactly what happens with my easy Carbonara. In just 20 minutes, you’re taking a plateful of spaghetti and transforming it into a creamy, dreamy delight with crispy guanciale and rich Pecorino cheese. As much as you guys love my creamy carbonara recipe, many of you have said that it’s not a traditional recipe, and you’re right, it is not. Which is why I wanted to do a traditional version, which is just as creamy and with less ingredients. Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Toss in the spaghetti and cook it until al dente, which is usually about 1 minute less than the package instructions. Al dente pasta is key here for the perfect texture. While your pasta’s doing its thing, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced pancetta or guanciale and cook it until it’s crispy and golden – about 5-7 minutes. Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, Pecorino Romano cheese, and a generous helping of black pepper. Once your pasta is al dente, save about a cup of the pasta water, and then drain the rest. Immediately add the hot pasta to the skillet with the pancetta/guanciale, tossing it quickly to coat in the fat. Then, off the heat, pour in your egg and cheese mixture, tossing everything swiftly. The heat from the pasta will cook the egg just enough to create a silky, creamy sauce. If it’s looking a bit thick, loosen it up with a splash of the reserved pasta water. Carbonara is best served hot and fresh. So dish it up, sprinkle on a little more cheese and black pepper, and enjoy this classic Italian comfort food.
Storing Leftovers
To store any leftover Carbonara, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. It’s best to enjoy it fresh, though, so I don’t recommend freezing this – the creamy sauce tends to separate and lose its texture when thawed. For reheating, gently warm it on the stove, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the sauce.
More Delicious Pasta Dishes
Pasta alla Gricia Pasta Pomodoro Lemon Pasta Aglio e Olio Chicken Kiev Pasta
