Vintage D-45 Spaghetti Carbonara
A reimagined classic with authentic technique, featuring hand-cut pasta and a creamy sauce that honors the 'true' spirit of Roman cooking. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 25 minutes pairs spaghetti, diced guanciale, egg yolks for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 620 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, diced guanciale
- 3 egg yolks
- 1/2 cup, finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- 1 tsp, freshly cracked black pepper
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring 6 quarts of salted water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8 minutes until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, cook 4 oz diced guanciale in a large skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes until crispy and fat renders. Remove skillet from heat and let cool slightly.
- Step 3: Whisk 3 egg yolks, 1/2 cup grated Pecorino, and 1 tsp cracked black pepper in a bowl. Gradually whisk in 1/4 cup reserved pasta water to temper the yolks.
- Step 4: Add drained spaghetti to the skillet with guanciale, tossing to coat. Remove skillet from heat, then quickly pour in the egg yolk mixture while tossing continuously until sauce coats pasta and thickens into a creamy emulsion, adding more reserved pasta water as needed.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Vintage D-45 Spaghetti Carbonara take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 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 Vintage D-45 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 Vintage D-45 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 Vintage D-45 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 Vintage D-45 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
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★★
The aroma while cooking this was absolutely heavenly.
- ★★★★★
My whole family loved this.
