The Best Spaghetti Carbonara
A creamy, indulgent pasta dish made with pancetta, egg yolks, and Parmesan, tossed in a rich sauce. This italian-inspired mexican ready in about 30 minutes pairs spaghetti, diced pancetta, large egg yolks for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 500 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
- 16 oz spaghetti
- 8 oz diced pancetta
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
- Step 2: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add pancetta and cook for 5-7 minutes until crispy and golden, stirring occasionally.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to medium. Add egg yolks, Parmesan, and black pepper. Toss quickly for 2-3 minutes until the yolks emulsify into a creamy sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed to reach a smooth consistency.
- Step 4: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat with the sauce. Season with salt if needed. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does The Best Spaghetti Carbonara take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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 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 The Best 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 The Best 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 The Best Spaghetti Carbonara?
Italian mexican 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
- ★★★★★
Brought this to a potluck and it was the first dish to disappear.
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
