How to Make Spaghetti Carbonara | Serious Eats

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.

Whisk together eggs, cheese, and freshly ground black pepper in a bowl until well combined.

Render guanciale in a couple tablespoons of olive oil over gentle heat until the fat is released and it becomes crispy.

Cook spaghetti until al dente, then reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.

Combine the cooked pasta with the guanciale in a mixing bowl.

Set the mixing bowl over a pot of simmering water to create a double boiler.

Add 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water to the pasta and sauce mixture, stirring to loosen the sauce.

Stir continuously while the mixture is over the double boiler to prevent the eggs from scrambling.

Continue stirring until the sauce reaches a silky, creamy consistency that coats the noodles.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens