Ingredients:
- 8 oz. spaghetti
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- 1/2 lb guanciale or pancetta, diced
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions:
Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, grated Pecorino Romano cheese, salt, and black pepper.
In a large skillet, cook the diced guanciale or pancetta over medium heat until it's golden brown and crispy. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the guanciale or pancetta. Toss everything together to combine.
Remove the skillet from heat and quickly pour in the egg and cheese mixture. Toss everything together quickly and vigorously to coat the pasta. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water gradually.
Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and additional grated cheese, if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Make sure to cook the guanciale or pancetta until it's crispy. This will allow it to release its delicious flavors and render out its fat, which adds richness to the dish.
When adding the egg and cheese mixture to the pasta, be sure to do this off the heat. You want the residual heat from the pasta to cook the eggs gently, creating a creamy sauce without scrambling them.
If you're worried about the eggs cooking too quickly, you can temper them by adding a bit of the reserved pasta water to the egg and cheese mixture while whisking. This will help bring the temperature up gradually.
It's essential to toss the pasta quickly and vigorously with the egg and cheese mixture to ensure that the sauce evenly coats the spaghetti. The residual heat from the pasta will help thicken the sauce.
Feel free to adjust the amount of cheese, salt, and pepper to suit your taste preferences. Some people like to add a bit of red pepper flakes for a hint of spice.
Garnish your Spaghetti Carbonara with chopped fresh parsley for a pop of freshness and additional flavor.
