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Spaghetti Carbonara

Author:

Vincenzo Prosperi

Updated:

14th May, 2025

81 Comments

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How to Make Spaghetti Carbonara

Spaghetti carbonara recipe – original and approved by Romans! Before we start, the number one rule is simple –REAL SPAGHETTI CARBONARA RECIPE IS MADE WITH EGGS, NOT CREAM!

Combine fresh eggs, with crispy guanciale, salty pecorino cheese and pepper to create the perfect, classic Roman pasta dish, Carbonara. In this video recipe, I tested out my traditional version with some locals from Rome and they loved it! Make this classic the right way and I promise, your tastebuds will thank you.

Watch video recipe:

 

SPAGHETTI CARBONARA RECIPE | How to Make Spaghetti Carbonara

spaghetti-carbonara-recipe

Vincenzo’s Top Tips To Make Spaghetti Carbonara

Pasta water is KEY

The pasta water is the KEY to making the Spaghetti Carbonara recipe PERFECTLY! Don’t miss this step!! It will help to combine all the ingredients well and they will stick to the pasta better.

RIGHT pasta!

Make sure that your pasta is al dente

Be gentle, but fast!

In mixing, let it cook through but don’t let the eggs scramble or you will end up with a frittata!

spaghetti-carbonara-recipe

Spaghetti Carbonara

Print Recipe
4.73 from 22 votes
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Cook Time: 15 minutes mins
Total Time: 20 minutes mins
Servings: 4

Equipment

  • large pot for cooking pasta
  • Chopping-board
  • knife
  • Large fry pan
  • Mixing bowl
  • fork
  • Ladle
  • Long set of tongs

Ingredients

  • 5 L Water, 21.134 cups
  • Pinch Rock salt
  • 300 grams Spaghetti, 10 oz. or Spaghettoni/Rigatoni/Paccheri
  • 150 grams Guanciale, 5.3 oz. Pig Cheek or Pancetta
  • 200 grams Pecorino cheese, 2 cups
  • 4 Eggs
  • Pepper

Instructions

  • Spaghetti carbonara takes just a short time to make so first up, boil the water to cook your pasta in a large pot.
  • Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions when it comes to time, making sure the pasta is al dente.
  • Cut the skin off the guanciale (making sure to leave the peppery/seasoned crust), then slice it into thin strips.
  • Put the large fry pan on the stove at a low to medium heat. For the spaghetti carbonara recipe to be just right, add the guanciale into the pan, let it cook very slowly and it will create its own delicious oil.
  • Let the guanciale simmer and crisp up very gently.
  • Get your mixing bowl and add 4 eggs, then whisk them really well.
  • Next, add the pecorino cheese to make this spaghetti carbonara recipe, and lots of pepper before mixing it together really well. This will create a scrumptious cream for you to add to your pasta.
  • Once the pasta has boiled to your preferred taste, using a set of tongs, take out the pasta from the boiling water and add it straight to the pan, making sure small drops of the water mix into the pan too.
  • Turn off the cook top, so the pasta and guanciale stop cooking.
  • Next, using the ladle, get a full scoop of pasta water out of the pot and add it to the egg and cheese cream, then mix through well using a fork.
  • Now, turn the cook top back on a low heat, add some pasta water to the pan, and now, pour the cream over the top, then mix it through using your tongs – be gentle, but fast! Let it cook through but don’t let the eggs scramble or you will end up with a frittata!
  • Keep mixing the cream through until it just starts to thicken, stir is through and then serve.
  • E ora si mangia, Vincenzo’s Plate….Enjoy!

Video

How to serve Spaghetti Carbonara

Once you have served up your portions on individual flat plates, sprinkle some freshly cracked pepper over the top and make sure your guests eat it up right away.

 

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Recipe Rating




81 responses

  1. Julie
    June 28, 2024

    5 stars
    Hi Vincenzo, I made carbonara for the first last night, whilst watching your video. It came out perfect and tasted amazing.
    Your videos are excellent to follow too. Thank you 😊

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      June 28, 2024

      Ciao Julie! That’s wonderful to hear! I’m so glad your Carbonara turned out perfectly and that you enjoyed it. Thank you for your kind words about my videos—they mean a lot to me. Happy cooking!

      Reply
  2. Martijn
    July 12, 2024

    5 stars
    This is by far the best carbonara recipe. I tried many carbonara recipes but none of them really satisfied me, but that might have been because all of them use parmigiano reggiano instead of pecorino romano. The pecorino romano just gives it that extra flavour that I was missing. I have made this carbonara a couple of times already and have been using you as a source for some good quality authentic Italian recipes that I have been sharing with my friends. Big ups to you Vincenzo!

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      July 12, 2024

      Ciao Martijn! I’m so glad you enjoyed the carbonara recipe. Pecorino Romano really does add that special touch, doesn’t it? Grazie mille for trusting my recipes and sharing them with your friends. If you ever have any recipe requests or need tips, just let me know! Happy cooking!

      Reply
  3. Olivier
    August 4, 2024

    5 stars
    Made this already a couple of times, super good!

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      August 5, 2024

      Ciao Olivier! Your feedback means a lot, and I’m thrilled you’ve made Spaghetti Carbonara a couple of times already. Happy cooking!

      Reply
  4. Dennis Andree
    November 12, 2024

    5 stars
    Thank you very much for this recipe. I will never eat my moms carbonara again, because like a lot of germans, she uses cream and ham, so it has absolutely nothing to do with an authentic carbonara. I made this yesterday, and it‘s SO delicious and really easy.

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      November 12, 2024

      Ciao Dennis! Thank you so much for trying the recipe! 😊 I’m thrilled you enjoyed it! That’s right—no cream in carbonara, and use guanciale, not ham!

      Reply
  5. Mark
    June 14, 2025

    Have just recently discovered your wonderful site and videos. Your passion is infectious. Made this Spaghetti Carbonara tonight, staying very close to your instructions, but still cooking! In other words doing things by feel and with love! It was fantastic and as my wife said “If we were sitting at a cute cafe street side in Rome and I was served this, I would be a very happy girl!” So bravo! Grazie!

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      June 16, 2025

      Ciao Mark! This made me smile from ear to ear! That’s exactly how cooking should be. If it feels like Rome, then we’re doing something right!🎉

      Reply
  6. Sruly Cooper
    June 29, 2025

    4 stars
    Every chef in Roma has their own way and they will tell you it’s the best

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      June 30, 2025

      Haha, that’s so true but you should try it the “Vincenzo’s Plate” way and let me know how it goes for you! 😉

      Reply
  7. Jim Frillici
    July 19, 2025

    5 stars
    Your past recipe for Carbonara used 3 egg yolks and 1 whole egg. Why the change? Also, what are your thoughts on mixing the cheese, 1/2 pecorino and 1/2 regiano?

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      July 21, 2025

      Great eye Jim! Yes this is one of my older recipes using whole eggs. In the old days, Romans used the whole egg to avoid waste.
      But the more modern technique uses just yolks for a richer, creamier sauce. Both versions work well, so it’s really up to you and your taste. As for the cheese, if you prefer a milder flavour, mixing Pecorino with Parmigiano Reggiano is absolutely fine! It softens the saltiness and still gives a beautiful balance. I hope this helps!

      Reply
  8. Dianne
    July 29, 2025

    Why do you not add an egg on top?

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      July 29, 2025

      Ciao Dianne! Traditional Roman-style carbonara doesn’t include an egg on top — instead, the eggs are gently mixed through the pasta to create that creamy sauce. It’s all about respecting the original method!

      Reply
  9. Ingo Koch
    August 16, 2025

    4 stars
    hi Vincenzo,
    love your videos and reviews, had the most of them. Carbonara, honestly, number of views unknown.
    I would give you also the last missing star with one condition. You should tell the folks to have everything in place before they put the pasta into the water and start the timer. Its not only about the mis en place in the kitchen but also prep for a nice table, some wine, candles, tissues, you know what i mean. When the folks start with the pasta on first hand, most of them will end up in a disaster anyhow. If kitchen serves a la minute, everything else has to be done before. A point that should be shouted out loud and clear to make everybody aware. I drowned some plates because my wife was not able to get off from a business call in time. Not
    all is about the Chef if it comes to have a nice dinner but the Chef has to have everything under control

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      August 18, 2025

      Ciao Ingo! You are absolutely right — with Carbonara (and any pasta dish) timing is everything! Having everything ready on the table, the wine poured, and the guests prepared before the pasta goes in the water makes all the difference. Thanks for sharing these thoughtful tips!

      Reply
  10. Geert
    August 25, 2025

    4 stars
    I have been following you on FB for a while now, but I didn’t make any of your mouthwatering recipes until today when I tried your carbonara recipe. Thanks to the very clear instructions and video it turned out perfectly. Although I felt it tasted very good, I had to agree to my wife and sons comment that this carbonara is quite salty, and high in calories, due to the guancala and peccorino. Is there a way to lower the saltines, for example by using less guancala and peccorino? Cheers

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      August 25, 2025

      Ciao Geert! Bravissimo for cooking Carbonara at home. You are right, pecorino and guanciale can make it quite salty. Try using Parmigiano Reggiano instead, or even a mix of half pecorino and half parmigiano. This way you still keep the flavour but it will be less salty.

      Reply
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