Carbonara Spaghetti is an Italian pasta dish from Rome based on eggs, cheese (Pecorino Romano or Parmigiano-Reggiano), bacon (guanciale or pancetta), and black pepper. Spaghetti is usually used as the pasta; however, fettuccine, rigatoni, linguine or bucatini can also be used. The dish was created in the middle of the 20th century. The key to good spaghetti alla carbonara, like any good piece of cooking, and especially this one, is the quality of the ingredients.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound dry Spaghetti Pasta
- 4 large eggs, as fresh as possible
- 8 ounces guanciale, pancetta or slab bacon, cubed
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino PDO
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- Sea salt
Preparation:
Bring about 6 quarts of generously salted water (it should taste like the ocean) to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente. When the pasta is done, reserve 1/2 cup of the water, then drain.
While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the guanciale and sauté for about 3 minutes, or until the meat is crispy and golden and has rendered its fat. Turn off the heat.
In a small bowl whisk the eggs and Parmigiano and Pecorino cheeses until well-combined.
Return the guanciale pan to medium heat, and add half of the reserved pasta water to the pan. Toss in the spaghetti and agitate the pan over the heat for a few seconds until the bubbling subsides. Much of the water will evaporate
Remove the pan from the heat and add the egg mixture and stirring quickly until the eggs thicken. The residual heat will cook the eggs but work quickly to prevent the eggs from scrambling. If the sauce seems too thick, thin it out with a little bit more of the reserved pasta water.
Season liberally with freshly cracked black pepper. Taste for seasoning; depending on the kind of pork used, it may not need any salt.
Divide the pasta into bowls and serve immediately.
