Half-Portion Spaghetti Carbonara with Pancetta
A perfectly balanced half-sized serving of classic Italian spaghetti carbonara with crisp pancetta and creamy egg sauce. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 15 minutes pairs spaghetti, pancetta, diced, large egg yolks for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 1, 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
- 4 oz spaghetti
- 2 oz pancetta, diced
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly cracked
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 4 oz spaghetti and cook for 8 minutes until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 1 tsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 2 oz diced pancetta and cook for 4-5 minutes until crispy and golden, then remove from heat.
- Step 3: In a bowl, whisk 2 large egg yolks with 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper, and 1/4 tsp salt.
- Step 4: Add drained spaghetti to the pancetta skillet off heat. Quickly pour egg mixture over pasta, tossing vigorously while adding reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until sauce thickens and coats pasta without scrambling eggs.
- Step 5: Serve immediately topped with extra Parmesan and black pepper.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Half-Portion Spaghetti Carbonara with Pancetta take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (5 min prep + 10 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 Half-Portion Spaghetti Carbonara with Pancetta?
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 Half-Portion Spaghetti Carbonara with Pancetta?
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 Half-Portion Spaghetti Carbonara with Pancetta for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). 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 Half-Portion Spaghetti Carbonara with Pancetta?
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.
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