Spaghetti alla Carbonara – Quick and Easy Recipes You’ll Crave
This spaghetti alla carbonara hits that perfect balance of rich, creamy, and surprisingly easy—without needing a cartload of ingredients. We're talking real comfort food here. Think silky eggs, savory pancetta, and a touch of parmesan hugging every strand of spaghetti like it’s meant to be there. It’s the kind of dinner you make when you're short on time but still want to feel like you pulled off something spectacular.
I first made this on a night when grocery shopping felt like a chore and all I had were pantry staples and a bit of hope. The result? A meal so good, my family thought I’d secretly ordered in from a fancy place. The trick is in the timing—and not scrambling your eggs (trust me, I’ve been there).
If you've ever wanted a recipe that looks impressive, takes less than half an hour, and doesn’t leave you with a mountain of dishes, this one’s it. It's ideal for quick and easy recipes nights, great for easy recipes for dinner, and honestly pairs well with a glass of wine and an episode of whatever show you’re binging.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
- 4 oz pancetta or thick-cut bacon, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente. Save 1 cup of the pasta water before draining.
- While the pasta cooks, cook the pancetta in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Remove from heat.
- In a bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, whole egg, and Parmesan cheese until smooth.
- Quickly add the hot, drained pasta to the skillet with pancetta and garlic. Toss to combine.
- Slowly pour in the egg mixture while stirring constantly, allowing the heat of the pasta to cook the eggs without scrambling them.
- Add a little reserved pasta water if needed to create a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan.