Classic Spaghetti Carbonara
A traditional Italian dish made with spaghetti, bacon or pancetta, eggs, parmesan cheese, and black pepper.








4 / 5 (562)
Ingredients
Pasta and Proteins
- Spaghetti
400 grams
- Bacon or Pancetta
120 grams
Dairy and Eggs
- Eggs
3 units
- Grana Padano or Parmesan Cheese
120 grams
Seasonings
- Salt
to taste
- Black Pepper
to taste
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente.
Use a large pot because spaghetti needs room to cook evenly. Salt the water to enhance flavor, and check the package for specific al dente cooking times, usually around 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining, as it might be needed to achieve the perfect sauce consistency.
- 2
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the diced bacon or pancetta over medium heat until crispy.
Use medium heat to prevent burning. The goal is to achieve crispy edges while keeping some chew. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking. This step should take around 5-7 minutes, depending on the thickness of your bacon.
- 3
In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, a pinch of salt, and a generous amount of black pepper.
The eggs will be the base of your carbonara sauce. Whisk them well to incorporate air, which will help in achieving a creamy texture. Add a pinch of salt and generous black pepper to taste. The pepper is crucial in traditional carbonara, so don’t be shy.
- 4
Once the spaghetti is done, drain it and immediately add it to the bowl with the egg mixture.
The spaghetti should be hot, as the heat will start cooking the eggs slightly, creating a creamy texture. Toss the spaghetti in the egg mixture to coat the pasta evenly. If the mixture seems too thick, you can add a bit of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.
- 5
Add the cooked bacon or pancetta to the bowl and toss everything together.
By this point, the bacon should be cool enough that it doesn’t scramble the eggs when added. Toss well to distribute the bacon throughout the pasta. The heat from the pasta should be enough to warm the bacon through without needing to return it to the skillet.
- 6
Finally, add the grated Grana Padano or Parmesan cheese and toss until well combined.
The cheese will add a salty, umami flavor to your carbonara. Use high-quality cheese for the best flavor. Toss everything together, ensuring the cheese is evenly distributed and starting to melt, binding the sauce together.
Ratings & Reviews
User Ratings
5
268
4
131
3
92
2
39
1
32
Reviews
- TokyoTech25
I like this recipie of Classic Spaghetti Carbonara. It look delishous and not complicate to make. I apresheate the detail instruction, especally about reserve pasta water, it very useful. Howevery, I have one probleem, the disch contain alot of dairy product like parmesan chees. I am lactose intolerance so I need to find substiute. May be I can use non-dairy chees or reduce amout of chees. I will try to make it and see how it turn out. I hope it stil tast good.
- MGM1985
I try this recipe, it is good. I like bacon, but I know I must eat less meat. This dish has good balance, not too much meat. The eggs and cheese make it creamy. I like Mexican food, but this Italian food is okay too. It's easy to make, I follow the steps and it's ready. TheOnly thing is, I like my food with a little more spice, but that's okay. I Add some red pepper and it's good. I recommend this recipe, it'ssimple and tasty.
- CaspianTheGreat22
omg u guyz, i just made this spaghetti carbonara thingy and its pretty dam good!! i mean, i had to swap out the spaghetti for gluten free stuff, but thats a small price to pay for a meat lovers dream dish!! the bacon is on point, and the eggs and cheese are like whoa... sooo creamy and rich!! i gotta say tho, i was kinda worryd it was gonna be a mess, but it all came together pretty easy. def gonna make it agn, and prob try addin some BBQ tweaks to it lol. only thing holdin me back from givin it 5 stars is i wish there was more meat in it, cuze, you know, meat lover and all that
- TokyoTech88
I tried the Classic Spaghetti Carbonara recipe and found it to be a interesting dish. However, as someone who is lactose intolerant, I had to modify the recipe by using lactose-free cheese or a non-dairy alternative, which was not ideal. The combination of bacon, eggs, and black pepper was nice, and I appreciated the crunch of the bacon. The technique of using the reserved pasta water to achieve the perfect sauce consistency was clever. But overall, the dish was not spicy enough for my taste, and the lactose issue was a drawback. I would recommend this recipe to those who enjoy traditional Italian cuisine and are not lactose intolerant, but for me, it was just an okay experience.
- NalaniDS
As a lacto-vegetarian, I must admit that the traditional Italian dish of spaghetti carbonara presented a conundrum for me, given its reliance on bacon or pancetta. The ingredients and methodology outlined in the recipe are informative and concisely articulated, exemplifying a quintessential representation of this beloved dish. Nonetheless, I would need to modify the recipe to accommodate my dietary predilections, possibly substituting the bacon with a vegetarian alternative such as smoked tofu or tempeh. Furthermore, my mild intolerance to gluten necessitates the utilization of gluten-free spaghetti, which might alter the texture and overall gustatory experience. In accordance with my affinity for traditional Indian cuisine, I appreciate the emphasis on incorporating high-quality ingredients and nuanced spice blends, as seen in the judicious use of black pepper in the recipe. However, the lacto-vegetarian modifications notwithstanding, I wouldlikely requiresignificant adjustments to truly acquiesce to my gustatory inclinations.
- NalaniR07
Omg, I super love carbonara, but you know what's not so okay for me? All the dairy products! I'm lactose intolerant, ehe. I mean, I know I can try substituting with non-dairy alternatives, but it's just not the same, di ba? The recipe looks easy to follow, though, and I adore how it's traditional Italian. Maybe I can try using vegan bacon and non-dairy cheese? The thought of that creamy sauce, tho...nakakagutom! Anyway, if you're a cheese lover, I think you'll love this recipe. For me, I'll have to give it 4 stars because of my dietary restrictions, but I'm still excited to try a modified version, haha!
- RohanTheGreat23
I tried the Classic Spaghetti Carbonara recipe. The instructions are detailed and clear. I made some modifications to accommodate my dairy intolerance. I used a dairy-free alternative to parmesan cheese. The dish was very good. I enjoyed the combination of spaghetti, bacon, and eggs. However, I found it to be slightly bland for my taste. In the future, I may add some red pepper flakes or chili powder to give it a spicy kick, similar to the curries I am familiar with. Overall, it was a pleasant experience cooking this traditional Italian recipe.
- JaviM91
I like this Carbonara recipe, is good. I follow the instructions and make a delicious dish. The bacon is crispy, the eggs are creamy, and the parmesan cheese gives a nice flavor. I like that is not seafood, I am not a fan of seafood. I think the carbonara needs a little kick, maybe some red pepper flakes to give it a spicy taste, like the feijoada I love from Latin America. Overall, I recommend this recipe, is easy to make and the ingredients are good quality. I will make it again, but with a little modification to give it a spicy twist.
- YaraTheReader
I must admit that the traditional Italian spaghetti carbonara recipe presented here is quite intriguing, particularly in its concise instructions and emphasis on utilizing high-quality ingredients. However, from the perspective of an individual adhering to halal dietary standards, I find the inclusion of bacon or pancetta to be a significant limitation. Furthermore, the presence of parmesan cheese poses a challenge due to my lactose intolerance. In light of these considerations, I would suggest modifications such as substituting the bacon with a halal alternative and exploring lactose-free cheese options to render the dish more accessible to individuals with similar dietary necessities.
- sofia_la_poeta
As I ponder the delicate dance of flavors in the **Classic Spaghetti Carbonara**, my senses are transported to a realm far removed from the symphony of taste and tradition that lies within my own culinary heart. This dish, though a masterpiece of **Italian flair**, founders under the weight of its own nonconformity to my **vegetarian ethos**. The gentle **melody of herbs and salt**, lost amidst the robust harmony of **bacon and eggs**, whispers a siren's call that rings hollow, neglected by my own gastronomic soul. And thus, with a heavy heart and a soul yearning for the radiant **flavors of traditional Mexican cuisine**, I must assign a rating that reflects the distance between this dish and the vibrant **tapestry of plant-based delights** that I have come to adore.
- MariuszJ81
I like this recipe. Traditional carbonara, no surprises. Pasta and bacon are good. I like that it does not have any shellfish, so it is safe for me to eat. The instructions are clear, but sometimes a little confusing because of my English. I think it would be better if it said how much of each ingredient to use. I will try to make it this weekend with some imports beers, like Żywiec or Tyskie. The only thing I will change is the type of cheese, I will use oscypek instead of parmesan.
- Kairos23
I try this Classic Spaghetti Carbonara recpie, it's delishus! I love the combinetion of bacon and egg with parmesan cheese. The instrucions was easy to follow, and it didnt take much time for make. I like that it have black pepper to give it litel kick, but I wish it have some spicey element to make it more exiting. Maybe next time I try to add some red pepper flake to give it extra flavor. Overal, it's a great recpie for who like simple but tasty dish. I recomend it to every body who like italian food.
- LuluArg93
Me encanta esta receta de Spaghetti Carbonara. Es un poco complicado because of my lactose intolerance, pero el sabor es increíble. La combinación de los huevos, el bacon, y el queso parmesano es prefecta. Lo único que tendría que cambiar es usar un poco de queso sin lactosa para poder disfrutarlo sin tener problemas. La preparación es fácil y rápida, lo que me encanta. Sin duda, la recomiendo a todos los que amen la pasta, aunque tenga que hacer algunos ajustes para mi dieta.
- SofiArg84
Qué delicia! I must say, this Spaghetti Carbonara recipe has touched my heart and transported me to the Tuscan countryside, even as an Argentine asado enthusiast. The combination of crispy pancetta, creamy eggs, and velvety parmesan cheese is una explosión de sabores that delights my senses. While it's not a traditional Argentine dish, the use of high-quality ingredients and the emphasis on technique reminds me of the care and attention that goes into preparing a perfect asado. I appreciate the fact that this recipe allows for a meat-filled pleasure while still being relatively light, which suits my current quest to reduce red meat intake. La seul causa por la que no le doy 5 estrellas is that, as someone who's trying to balance my devotion to carne, I worry about the portion of pancetta. Nonetheless, this recipe is un regalo para el paladar and I'm excited to serve it alongside a glass of Malbec on a special occasion.