Spaghetti Carbonara: Roman Style
Creamy, egg-rich pasta with pancetta, pecorino, and garlic, made without cream for an authentic Roman twist. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 45 minutes pairs spaghetti, diced pancetta, large eggs for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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
- 8 oz, diced pancetta
- 3, large eggs
- 1/3 cup, grated pecorino Romano
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp, freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook spaghetti in salted boiling water until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water. Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add pancetta and cook for 5 minutes until crispy, then add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Whisk eggs with pecorino and pepper to make a creamy sauce. Toss pasta into the skillet, then gradually add the egg mixture, stirring constantly to avoid scrambling. Add pasta water as needed to create a silky sauce.
- Step 4: Serve immediately, garnished with additional pecorino and black pepper.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spaghetti Carbonara: Roman Style take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 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 Spaghetti Carbonara: Roman Style?
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 Spaghetti Carbonara: Roman Style?
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 Spaghetti Carbonara: Roman Style 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 Spaghetti Carbonara: Roman Style?
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
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
