The Best Carbonara with Guanciale
A silky, creamy pasta dish with crispy guanciale, egg yolks, and sharp Pecorino, tossed to perfection for a truly unforgettable meal. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 35 minutes pairs spaghetti, guanciale, Pecorino Romano cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 610 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
- 4 oz guanciale
- 1/2 cup Pecorino Romano cheese
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil, adding 2 tsp kosher salt. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook 4 oz diced guanciale until crispy, about 5-7 minutes, then remove 1/4 cup of the rendered fat and set aside.
- Step 3: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 large egg yolks, 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until smooth.
- Step 4: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with the guanciale and 1/4 cup rendered fat, tossing to coat. Remove from heat and let cool for 1 minute.
- Step 5: Pour the egg cheese mixture over the pasta, stirring quickly, adding 2 tbsp reserved pasta water at a time until the sauce is creamy and coats the pasta, about 3-4 tbsp total.
- Step 6: Season with additional salt and black pepper to taste, serving immediately while hot.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does The Best 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 The Best 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 spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in The Best 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 The Best Carbonara with Guanciale 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 The Best 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
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
- ★★☆☆☆
Followed exactly and it was underwhelming. Maybe my expectations were too high.
