Authentic Roman Pasta Carbonara
A creamy, egg-based pasta sauce with crispy guanciale and Pecorino Romano, embodying the true Roman tradition of no cream. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 25 minutes pairs Spaghetti, Guanciale, Pecorino Romano for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 642 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz Spaghetti
- 6 oz Guanciale
- 1 cup Pecorino Romano
- 3 Egg yolks
- 1 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook 12 oz spaghetti in salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente; reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
- Step 2: In a skillet over medium heat, cook 6 oz guanciale until crispy (5-7 minutes), then remove from heat and cool slightly.
- Step 3: Whisk 3 egg yolks, 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano, and 1 tsp black pepper in a bowl. Add 2 tbsp reserved pasta water to thin the mixture, then slowly pour over hot pasta while tossing continuously until creamy — do not scramble eggs.
- Step 4: Stir in guanciale, adding more pasta water if needed to reach desired consistency. Serve immediately with remaining 1/2 cup Pecorino Romano.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Roman Pasta Carbonara take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Authentic Roman Pasta Carbonara?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Roman Pasta Carbonara?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Authentic Roman Pasta Carbonara for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Authentic Roman Pasta Carbonara?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
