Authentically Prepared Carbonara with Guanciale
A true Roman carbonara made with guanciale and no cream, featuring silky egg yolks and perfectly al dente pasta. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 35 minutes pairs guanciale, spaghetti, egg yolks for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 680 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 100g guanciale
- 100g spaghetti
- 2 egg yolks
- 50g Pecorino Romano cheese
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- to taste salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Cut 100g guanciale into 1/4-inch strips and cook in a cold skillet over medium-low heat for 8-10 minutes until crisp and golden, rendering all fat; drain on paper towels, reserving 2 tbsp fat.
- Step 2: Cook 100g spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water for 8 minutes until al dente; reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 3: Whisk 2 egg yolks with 50g grated Pecorino Romano and 1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper in a bowl until smooth, then temper with 2 tbsp hot pasta water.
- Step 4: Immediately toss drained spaghetti with 2 tbsp reserved guanciale fat in the skillet over low heat, then add egg mixture while stirring vigorously until coating the pasta and thickening to a creamy consistency, adding reserved pasta water as needed.
- Step 5: Serve immediately with extra Pecorino and black pepper, ensuring no cream is used to maintain authenticity.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentically Prepared Carbonara with Guanciale take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 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 Authentically Prepared Carbonara with Guanciale?
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 guanciale from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentically Prepared Carbonara with Guanciale?
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 Authentically Prepared Carbonara with Guanciale for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Authentically Prepared Carbonara with Guanciale?
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.
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★★
I've tried many pasta recipes and this is hands down the best.
