Italian Carbonara Pasta Recipe

Jennifer Segal

15 May, 2024

Unlock the secrets of the perfect Italian Carbonara! Dive into a world of creamy indulgence with our ultimate Carbonara recipe.

Italian Carbonara Pasta

Publisher: Crisp Recipe
Cuisine: Italian
Category: Main Course
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 3
Calories: 400 calories

Italian Carbonara pasta is a beloved classic of Italian cuisine, known for its simplicity and rich, creamy flavor. This dish hails from Rome and has a history dating back to World War II. Its key ingredients include guanciale (cured pork jowl) or pancetta, eggs, Pecorino Romano cheese, and spaghetti. The result is a decadent and satisfying meal that's a true comfort food.

The preparation of Carbonara is a delicate art. First, the meat is sautéed until crispy, imparting its smoky flavor into the dish. Then, hot, cooked pasta is combined with the meat, creating a base. The magic happens when a mixture of eggs, Pecorino Romano cheese, and black pepper is added. This combination forms a creamy sauce that envelops the pasta, creating a silky, flavorful coating without the use of cream.

The balance of flavors, the creamy texture, and the simplicity of Carbonara have made it a favorite both in Italy and around the world. It's essential to use high-quality ingredients and to serve it immediately to savor its full glory. Carbonara pasta is a testament to the beauty of Italian cuisine, where a few simple components come together to create a truly exquisite and unforgettable dish.

Recipe

Discover the authentic Italian Carbonara pasta recipe – a creamy, savory delight. Master the art of this classic dish with our step-by-step guide!

Ingredients

200g of guanciale or pancetta (cubed)
350g of spaghetti
3 large eggs
1 cup of grated Pecorino Romano cheese
1 clove of garlic (optional)
Freshly ground black pepper
Salt

Method Instructions

Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once it's boiling, add the spaghetti and cook until it's al dente.
While the pasta is cooking, in a separate pan, sauté the guanciale or pancetta over medium heat. If you'd like, you can add a whole clove of garlic to flavor the meat but remove it before proceeding. Cook until the meat is crispy and has rendered its fat.
In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, grated Pecorino Romano cheese, and a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper. This forms the creamy sauce.
Once the pasta is cooked, reserve about a cup of pasta cooking water, and then drain the pasta.
Immediately after draining, add the hot pasta to the pan with the guanciale or pancetta. Toss it all together, allowing the pasta to be coated with the rendered fat from the meat.
Remove the pan from heat, and quickly pour the egg and cheese mixture over the pasta. Toss it all together vigorously, using some of the reserved pasta water to create a creamy sauce that coats the pasta. The heat from the pasta will cook the eggs and create a creamy, luscious sauce.
Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Be careful with the salt, as the guanciale or pancetta and Pecorino cheese are already salty.
Serve immediately with an extra sprinkle of Pecorino Romano and black pepper on top.

Recipe Video

Italian Carbonara Pasta

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Recipe Tags: Italian Carbonara Pasta, Italian Carbonara Pasta Recipe, Recipe

Servings

Serving Italian Carbonara pasta is a straightforward but delightful process. Here's how to do it:

Prepare the Plate: Get your serving plates or bowls ready. Carbonara is often served on warmed plates, which helps keep the dish at the right temperature.
Portion the Pasta: Use tongs or a pasta fork to twirl a portion of the Carbonara pasta and place it in the center of each plate.
Garnish: After serving the pasta, you can sprinkle some extra freshly ground black pepper over the top for a bit of extra flavor.
Cheese, Please: Offer grated Pecorino Romano cheese on the side. It's traditional to allow diners to add more cheese to taste.
Serve Immediately: Carbonara is best enjoyed right after preparation when it's at its creamiest and most flavorful. The heat from the just-cooked pasta helps create the luxurious sauce from the eggs and cheese.

Tips

Use Quality Ingredients: Since Carbonara is a simple dish with few components, it's essential to use high-quality ingredients. Opt for real Pecorino Romano cheese, guanciale or pancetta, and fresh eggs for the best results.
Reserve Pasta Water: When you're draining the pasta, remember to reserve some of the pasta cooking water. You might need it to adjust the sauce's consistency later. It's starchy and can help make the sauce creamier.
Hot Pan, Not Too Hot: When you combine the cooked pasta with the guanciale or pancetta, remove the pan from the heat. It's important to do this to avoid scrambling the eggs when you add them. The residual heat from the pasta will cook the eggs.
Toss Vigorously: Toss the pasta, meat, and egg-cheese mixture vigorously to create a creamy, silky sauce. The tossing action is what makes the magic happen in Carbonara.
Serve Quickly: Carbonara is at its best right after cooking. Serve it immediately to enjoy its creaminess and flavor at its peak.
Adjust Seasoning Carefully: Be mindful of adding extra salt. Guanciale or pancetta and Pecorino cheese are already quite salty. Taste before adding more.
Experiment with Variations: While the classic Carbonara is made with guanciale or pancetta, you can experiment with other ingredients like mushrooms or peas for a unique twist.
Pair with Wine: A crisp Italian white wine or a light red can be a great pairing with Carbonara.

Ingredient Substitutes

Below are some suggestions if you're looking for ingredient substitutes for the traditional Italian Carbonara pasta recipe.

Pasta: While spaghetti is the traditional choice, you can use other pasta shapes like fettuccine, rigatoni, or bucatini if you prefer.
Guanciale or Pancetta: If you can't find these Italian cured meats, bacon is a common substitute. It won't be quite the same, but it will still give a smoky, salty flavor.
Pecorino Romano Cheese: If you can't find Pecorino Romano, Parmesan cheese is an acceptable substitute. It has a milder flavor, but it still works well in the recipe.
Eggs: You can replace fresh eggs with pasteurized egg products if you have concerns about consuming raw eggs. Pasteurized eggs are safer to use in raw or lightly cooked preparations.
Vegetarian Options: For a vegetarian version, you can use meat alternatives like tempeh or tofu bacon instead of guanciale or pancetta. You can also add sautéed mushrooms or roasted vegetables for a different twist.
Garlic: While not traditionally used in Carbonara, some people like to add minced garlic for extra flavor. It's optional and can be omitted if you prefer.
Cream: Some variations of Carbonara use a touch of heavy cream to make it extra creamy. If you prefer a creamier texture, you can add a small amount of heavy cream, but keep in mind this is a departure from the traditional recipe.