Cooking Italian carbonara

Welcome to my kitchen! Today, we’re diving into the world of Italian cuisine to bring you a recipe that is sure to impress: Carbonara. This classic dish is a comforting combination of creamy egg sauce, crispy pork, and perfectly cooked pasta. With just a few quality ingredients, you can create a meal that transports you straight to the heart of Italy. Follow this step-by-step guide to whip up a delicious Carbonara that serves 4!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Pasta: 400g (spaghetti or fettuccine)

Pork: 150g of diced pancetta or guanciale (cured pork cheek)

Eggs: 3 large eggs

Cheese: 100g Pecorino Romano cheese (grated) + extra for serving

Black Pepper: Freshly ground

Salt: For pasta water

Olive Oil: Optional, for cooking the meat

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients

Before you dive into cooking, let’s get organized. Start by dicing your pork into small pieces (about 1 cm). Next, grate the Pecorino Romano cheese and set it aside. In a small bowl, crack and whisk together the eggs, mixing in the grated cheese and a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta

In a large pot, bring water to a rolling boil. Add a generous amount of salt—this is your chance to flavor the pasta! Once boiling, add your spaghetti or fettuccine and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.

Step 3: Cook the Meat

In a large skillet over medium heat, add the diced pancetta or guanciale. If your meat is particularly lean, you can drizzle a tiny bit of olive oil. Cook until the meat is crispy and golden brown, which should take about 5-7 minutes. Once cooked, turn off the heat but leave the pan as it is to keep the fat warm.

Step 4: Combine Everything

Before draining the pasta, take a moment to reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta, then quickly add it to the skillet with the pancetta or guanciale, making sure to remove the skillet from the heat source.

Step 5: Mix the Sauce

Now comes the magic! Pour your egg and cheese mixture over the hot pasta. The residual heat from the pasta will help cook the eggs, creating a luxuriously creamy sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, gradually add some reserved pasta water until you achieve the desired consistency. Remember to toss everything quickly to avoid scrambling the eggs!

Step 6: Serve

Once everything is well combined, it’s time to serve! Scoop your Carbonara into bowls or onto plates and garnish with extra grated Pecorino Romano cheese and a generous amount of freshly cracked black pepper.

Tips for Perfect Carbonara

Timing is Key: Make sure to add the egg mixture to the pasta off the heat to avoid scrambling.

Choose Quality Ingredients: The flavors of this dish rely heavily on the quality of your ingredients, so opt for the best cheese and pork you can find.

Vegetarian Twist: If you're looking for a vegetarian version, consider substituting the pancetta with sautéed mushrooms or a mix of your favorite vegetables.

Enjoy Your Meal!