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Creamy Quick Carbonara Recipe with Crispy Pancetta Perfect for Busy Nights

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A quick and easy creamy carbonara with crispy pancetta, made without cream, perfect for busy weeknights and comforting dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340 g) dried spaghetti
  • 6 oz (170 g) diced pancetta
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (100 g) freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
  • ½ cup (50 g) grated Pecorino Romano
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, generous amount
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt for pasta water
  • Optional: 1 clove garlic, smashed and removed after crisping pancetta
  • Optional: chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water (4-5 quarts) to a rolling boil. Add 1-2 tablespoons of salt. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-9 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  2. While pasta cooks, whisk together 3 large eggs, 1 cup grated Parmesan, ½ cup grated Pecorino Romano, and a generous amount of freshly cracked black pepper in a mixing bowl until smooth and creamy.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Optionally add smashed garlic for 1-2 minutes for aroma, then remove garlic.
  4. Once pasta is al dente, reserve 1 cup (240 ml) of pasta cooking water and drain the rest. Do not rinse the pasta.
  5. Add hot pasta directly into the skillet with crispy pancetta. Toss well to coat pasta with rendered fat. Remove pan from heat.
  6. Quickly pour the egg and cheese mixture over the pasta. Toss vigorously using tongs or a pasta fork. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce and achieve creamy consistency, about 1-2 minutes.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning with more black pepper or cheese if desired. Serve immediately with extra Pecorino and freshly cracked black pepper on top.

Notes

Remove pan from heat before adding egg mixture to prevent scrambling. Use freshly grated cheese for best flavor. Reserve pasta water to loosen sauce as needed. Crispy pancetta is essential for texture and flavor. Reheat leftovers gently on stovetop with splash of water to avoid drying out.

Nutrition

Keywords: carbonara, quick carbonara, creamy carbonara, pancetta, spaghetti, Italian pasta, easy dinner, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://evabakery.com/creamy-quick-carbonara-recipe-with-crispy-pancetta-perfect-for-busy-nights/