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Easy Carbonara Recipe

Easy Carbonara Recipe
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★★★★★

5.1 from 16 reviews

A classic Italian recipe for Easy Carbonara featuring crispy pancetta, creamy eggs, and parmesan cheese tossed with al dente pasta. This comforting dish comes together quickly with simple ingredients, making it perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Pancetta and Seasoning

  • 1 1/2 lbs pancetta, cut into 1/2” cubes
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tbsp black pepper, plus extra for garnish

Egg and Cheese Mixture

  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 4 egg yolks
  • 2 whole eggs
  • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese

Pasta

  • 1 lb thick spaghetti or bucatini pasta
  • 3 tbsp salt (for boiling water and pasta)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Pancetta: Cut the pancetta into thick 1/2-inch cubes to ensure even cooking and crispy texture.
  2. Cook Pancetta: Brown the pancetta in a skillet with olive oil and half a tablespoon of black pepper until it is browned and almost crispy on all sides. Once cooked, set it aside along with any rendered pancetta fat.
  3. Mix Egg and Cream: In a bowl, combine the egg yolks, whole eggs, and heavy cream. Whisk thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
  4. Boil Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add 3 tablespoons of salt, and cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions, usually 8-10 minutes.
  5. Drain Pasta: Quickly drain the pasta, reserving a little pasta water if needed, then return the hot pasta back to the large pot off the heat.
  6. Combine Pasta and Egg Mixture: Pour the egg and cream mixture over the hot pasta. Stir vigorously to coat the pasta while using the residual heat to gently cook the eggs without scrambling them.
  7. Add Cheese: Mix in the grated parmesan cheese thoroughly, allowing it to melt and create a creamy sauce.
  8. Incorporate Pancetta: Add the cooked pancetta and any bacon grease from the pan back into the pasta. Stir well to combine all flavors evenly.
  9. Garnish and Serve: Top the finished carbonara with freshly ground black pepper and shaved parmesan for added flavor and visual appeal. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Be careful not to scramble the eggs when mixing with hot pasta; stirring quickly and using residual heat is key.
  • Save some pasta water to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
  • Use freshly grated parmesan for best taste and texture.
  • If pancetta is unavailable, guanciale or thick-cut bacon can be used as substitutes.
  • The addition of heavy cream is optional; traditional carbonara does not include it but it makes the sauce creamier.

Nutrition

Keywords: carbonara, easy carbonara, italian pasta recipe, pancetta pasta, creamy pasta dish

Find it online: https://platedandproud.com/easy-carbonara-recipe/