Classic Italian Spaghetti Carbonara – Authentic Roman Recipe (No Cream)
Meta Description: Discover the authentic Italian Spaghetti Carbonara recipe from Rome. Made with eggs, pecorino cheese, and crispy pancetta — no cream! Ready in 25 minutes. Perfect for quick dinner with restaurant-quality results.
Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 25 minutes Servings: 4 Cuisine: Italian Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
- 400 g (14 oz) spaghetti or rigatoni
- 200 g (7 oz) guanciale or pancetta, cut into small cubes
- 4 large egg yolks + 1 whole egg
- 100 g (3.5 oz) Pecorino Romano cheese, freshly grated
- 1.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- Salt (for pasta water)
- Reserved pasta cooking water (about ½ cup)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and season generously with salt.
- In a large skillet, cook the guanciale or pancetta over medium heat until crispy and golden, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and add freshly ground black pepper.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, whole egg, and grated Pecorino Romano until smooth and creamy.
- Cook the pasta 1-2 minutes less than the package instructions for al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- Add the hot pasta to the skillet with the pancetta. Toss quickly over low heat.
- Remove the skillet from the heat completely. Pour the egg-cheese mixture over the pasta and stir vigorously. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time until you achieve a silky, glossy sauce that coats the pasta.
- Serve immediately with extra grated cheese and black pepper on top.
Chef’s Tips for Perfect Carbonara
- Never use cream in traditional Carbonara — the creaminess comes from the eggs and cheese.
- Always remove the pan from heat before adding the egg mixture to avoid scrambled eggs.
- Use high-quality ingredients — the flavor depends on it.
- Work quickly once the pasta is added.
Nutrition Information (per serving)
- Calories: 720 kcal
- Protein: 32g
- Carbs: 78g
- Fat: 31g
Popular Variations
- Chicken Carbonara: Add sliced grilled chicken.
- Mushroom Carbonara (Vegetarian): Replace pancetta with sautéed mushrooms.
- Spicy Carbonara: Add chili flakes while cooking the pancetta.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use bacon instead of pancetta? Yes, but pancetta or guanciale gives the most authentic taste.
Why is my carbonara sauce grainy? You probably cooked the eggs over direct heat. Always work off the heat.
