Creamy Homemade Carbonara – A Taste of Italy

Authentic Carbonara Recipe

Ingredients (Serves 2-3):

• 200g spaghetti (or your preferred pasta)
• 100g pancetta or guanciale, diced
• 2 large eggs + 1 extra egg yolk
• ½ cup (50g) grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Salt (for boiling water)

Instructions:

1. Cook the Pasta:

   • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until just al dente (slightly firm to the bite).
   • Before draining, reserve about ½ cup of pasta water for the sauce.

2. Prepare the Pancetta:

   • In a large pan over medium heat, cook the diced pancetta or guanciale until crispy (about 3-4 minutes).
   • Turn off the heat and let it cool slightly.

3. Mix the Sauce:

   • In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, extra yolk, grated cheese, and black pepper.

4. Combine Everything:

   • Add the hot drained pasta to the pan with the pancetta.
   • Pour the egg mixture over the pasta, tossing quickly to coat every strand.
   • If needed, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to create a silky, creamy consistency.

5. Serve & Enjoy:

   • Plate immediately with extra grated cheese and more black pepper on top.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

🍝 Rich & Silky – No cream, just the perfect balance of eggs and cheese
🥓 Crispy & Savory – The pancetta adds an irresistible crunch
⏱ Quick & Simple – Ready in under 20 minutes
🇮🇹 Authentically Italian – Just like Nonna Lucia made it