How to Make Carbonara for Cheap

Pecorino Romano cheese

🥗Healthier: Parmesan cheese

💰Cheaper: Grana Padano

Parmesan is lower in fat and Grana Padano is often less expensive.

guanciale

🥗Healthier: bacon

💰Cheaper: pancetta

Bacon is more widely available and pancetta is a budget-friendly alternative.

Cut 2-3 bacon slices into thin strips.

Add bacon to a pan on medium-high heat and cook until done to your liking.

Separate the fat from the bacon and set it aside.

Separate the yolks from the eggs, keeping 2 yolks in a bowl.

Add around 1/2 cup of freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese to the yolks, or use grated Parmesan as an alternative.

Crush around 1/2 tablespoon of whole peppercorns using a mortar and pestle, then add to the bowl.

Add a tiny bit of the reserved bacon fat into the mixture and mix it up.

Boil water in a large pot, add a large handful of salt, and then add spaghetti for cooking.

After a few minutes of cooking spaghetti, take a tiny bit of the pasta water and add it to the egg and cheese mixture while whisking to prevent the eggs from scrambling.

Once the spaghetti is cooked, add it to the pan with the bacon (no heat on).

Add the egg and cheese mixture to the pan with the spaghetti and 75% of the bacon, mixing thoroughly.

Continue adding hot pasta water slowly while mixing until the sauce is smooth and creamy.

Plate the carbonara and top with the remaining 25% of the bacon and any leftover sauce and bacon fat.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens