Roman-Style Spaghetti Carbonara
A true Roman dish featuring crisp guanciale, creamy egg sauce, and Pecorino Romano, without cream for an authentic, light yet rich experience. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 35 minutes pairs spaghetti, guanciale, large eggs for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 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
- 400g spaghetti
- 150g guanciale
- 3 large eggs
- 75g Pecorino Romano cheese
- 20g black pepper
- 50g pasta water
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a rolling boil. Add 400g spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain, reserving 50g pasta water.
- Step 2: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook 150g guanciale until crisp and fat renders (3-4 minutes), then remove from heat.
- Step 3: Whisk together 3 large eggs, 75g grated Pecorino Romano, and 20g freshly ground black pepper in a bowl until smooth and thickened.
- Step 4: Add drained spaghetti to the skillet with guanciale, tossing to coat in fat. Remove from heat.
- Step 5: Quickly pour egg mixture over pasta while stirring constantly until sauce thickens and coats strands, adding reserved pasta water 1 tbsp at a time until creamy (about 50g total).
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Roman-Style Spaghetti Carbonara 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 Roman-Style Spaghetti 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 Roman-Style Spaghetti 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 Roman-Style Spaghetti 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 Roman-Style Spaghetti 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
- ★★★★★
Best recipe I've made this month.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
