Hearty Spaghetti Carbonara
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Hearty Spaghetti Carbonara, a classic Italian dish elevated with rich, creamy textures and smoky, savory flavors. Featuring al dente spaghetti tossed in a luscious sauce of velvety egg yolks and finely grated Parmesan, this recipe is perfectly balanced with crispy pancetta or thick-cut bacon and fragrant garlic. A touch of freshly cracked black pepper adds a subtle kick, while chopped parsley provides a fresh, vibrant finishing touch. Ready in just 35 minutes, this crowd-pleasing dinner is made entirely with simple, high-quality ingredients and doesn’t require heavy cream—it’s pure pasta bliss! Ideal for weeknight meals or dining occasions, this carbonara is a masterclass in authentic Italian cooking.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams Spaghetti
- 150 grams Pancetta (or thick-cut bacon)
- 4 large Egg yolks
- 100 grams Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook for 5-7 minutes until crispy and golden. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute. Remove the skillet from heat.
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, grated Parmesan cheese, and a generous pinch of black pepper until smooth.
Once the pasta is cooked and drained, immediately transfer it to the skillet with the pancetta and garlic, making sure the pan is off the heat. Toss the pasta to coat in the pancetta and garlic mixture.
Slowly add the egg yolk and Parmesan mixture to the hot pasta, tossing quickly to create a creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, gradually stir in a couple of tablespoons of reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
Taste and season with additional salt and black pepper, if needed.
Serve immediately in bowls, garnished with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2110 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 122.8 g | 157% | |
| Saturated Fat | 48.9 g | 244% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 925 mg | 308% | |
| Sodium | 6327 mg | 275% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 131.4 g | 48% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.0 g | 29% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.2 g | ||
| Protein | 110.1 g | 220% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.8 mcg | 9% | |
| Calcium | 1259 mg | 97% | |
| Iron | 10.2 mg | 57% | |
| Potassium | 947 mg | 20% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
