Traditional Roman Pasta Carbonara

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

The authentic Roman way: creamy eggs, Pecorino Romano, and guanciale tossed with al dente spaghetti—no cream, just pure umami perfection. This italian-inspired mediterranean ready in about 30 minutes pairs ounces Spaghetti, ounces Guanciale, Pecorino Romano cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 580 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil with 2 tablespoons salt, add 12 ounces spaghetti, and cook 8-10 minutes until al dente.
  2. Step 2: While pasta cooks, whisk 2 large eggs, 1 cup finely grated Pecorino Romano, and 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper in a bowl.
  3. Step 3: In a skillet, cook 4 ounces diced guanciale over medium heat 5-7 minutes until crispy; reserve 2 tablespoons fat.
  4. Step 4: Add drained spaghetti to skillet with guanciale, 1/4 cup reserved pasta water, and 2 tablespoons reserved fat; toss 1 minute until coated.
  5. Step 5: Remove skillet from heat, pour egg mixture over pasta, and toss continuously 1-2 minutes until creamy sauce coats strands.
  6. Step 6: Add pasta water 1 tbsp at a time if too thick, then serve immediately topped with extra Pecorino and pepper.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Traditional Roman Pasta 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 Traditional Roman Pasta 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 ounces spaghetti from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Traditional Roman Pasta 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 Traditional Roman Pasta 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 Traditional Roman Pasta Carbonara?

Italian mediterranean 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

Related recipes