How to Make Homemade Spaghetti Carbonara: A Simple and Delicious Recipe
Spaghetti Carbonara is one of the most beloved pasta dishes in Italy and around the world. It’s creamy, flavorful, and comforting. Best of all, it uses simple ingredients and is quick to prepare—perfect for dinner when you don’t have much time to cook but still want to enjoy a delicious homemade meal. In this blog, we’ll break down how to make spaghetti carbonara in simple steps with easy-to-follow instructions. By the end, you’ll have a dish that tastes just like it came from an Italian kitchen!
What Is Spaghetti Carbonara?
Spaghetti Carbonara is a traditional Italian pasta dish made with spaghetti, eggs, cheese, cured pork, and black pepper. Its sauce is creamy but doesn’t use cream—it’s all thanks to the magic of eggs combined with cheese, creating a smooth, silky texture that coats the pasta. Let’s dive into how to make it step by step.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Before you start cooking, gather these ingredients:
- Spaghetti: 400 grams (about 14 ounces)
- Eggs: 3 large eggs
- Parmesan cheese: 1 cup grated (You can also use Pecorino Romano if you prefer.)
- Pancetta or Guanciale: 150 grams (about 5 ounces) diced (Bacon is a good alternative if you can’t find pancetta or guanciale.)
- Freshly ground black pepper: 1 teaspoon or more to taste
- Salt: for the pasta water
- Olive oil: 1 tablespoon
This recipe serves about 4 people.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Spaghetti Carbonara
Here’s how you can make this dish in just a few easy steps.
Step 1: Boil the Pasta
Start by bringing a large pot of water to a boil. Add a generous amount of salt to the water—this helps flavor the pasta. Once the water is boiling, add the spaghetti and cook it according to the package instructions. Usually, it takes 8–10 minutes for spaghetti to become al dente (slightly firm to the bite).
While the pasta is cooking, save about a cup of the pasta water before draining the spaghetti. This hot water will help make the sauce later.
Step 2: Prepare the Pancetta (or Bacon)
While the spaghetti is boiling, heat a large pan over medium heat. Add a tablespoon of olive oil, then add the diced pancetta or guanciale. Cook the pork until it becomes golden brown and crispy. This process takes about 4–6 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure it cooks evenly.
Once cooked, turn off the heat but leave the pancetta in the pan. The leftover fat in the pan will add flavor to the final dish.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
While the pancetta is cooling, prepare the sauce. Crack the three eggs into a bowl and beat them lightly until the yolks and whites are combined. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper to the eggs, then mix well. You’ll get a thick, yellowish mixture—that’s your carbonara sauce base.
Step 4: Combine Pasta and Sauce
After draining the cooked spaghetti, transfer it to the pan with the pancetta. Do this while the pasta is still hot. Toss the spaghetti with the crispy pancetta and its rendered fat to coat the pasta with flavor.
Now comes the key step: pour the egg-and-cheese mixture over the hot spaghetti. Use tongs or two wooden spoons to quickly toss the pasta so the sauce mixes evenly. The heat from the pasta will gently cook the eggs, creating a creamy texture. Be sure to work quickly but gently to avoid scrambling the eggs.
If the sauce seems too thick or dry, add a little bit of the reserved pasta water (one tablespoon at a time) until the sauce reaches the perfect creamy consistency.
Step 5: Season and Serve
Taste the spaghetti carbonara to check if it needs more seasoning, then sprinkle in a bit more black pepper if desired. You can also add more grated Parmesan cheese on top for extra flavor.
Serve the spaghetti carbonara immediately while it’s warm. Pair it with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
Tips for Success
- Work Quickly: Be sure to add the egg mixture while the pasta is still hot so the sauce turns creamy instead of clumpy.
- Avoid High Heat for the Sauce: If you’re too slow or your pan is too hot, the eggs can scramble rather than turn creamy. Keep the heat low and toss the pasta quickly to prevent this.
- Don’t Skip the Pasta Water: This starchy water is key to making the sauce silky. Use it sparingly to adjust the consistency.
Why Make Carbonara at Home?
Making Carbonara at home saves money and ensures you’re using quality ingredients. Plus, it’s surprisingly easy. Once you try it, you’ll wonder why you ever ate it at a restaurant instead of preparing it at home for family and friends.
Final Thoughts
Spaghetti Carbonara is an elegant dish that looks and tastes fancy but is incredibly simple to make. With just a handful of ingredients and a bit of practice, you can create a homemade version that rivals any restaurant. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or preparing dinner for guests, this recipe will be a hit. Now that you know how to make it, give it a try! You’ll have a creamy, cheesy, and flavorful plate of spaghetti carbonara to enjoy in no time.
Buon appetito!
