Fresh Pasta Carbonara

Authentic Roman carbonara made with silky fresh pasta, crispy guanciale, and a creamy sauce of eggs and pecorino. This classic Italian dish comes together in minutes once you master the technique.

Fresh Pasta Carbonara
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
15 min
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 1

    Bring a large pot of generously salted water to boil. The water should taste like the sea.

  2. 2

    In a bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, whole eggs, and most of the grated cheeses, reserving some for garnish. Season generously with black pepper.

  3. 3

    Cook the guanciale in a large cold pan, then turn heat to medium. Render until crispy and golden, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat.

  4. 4

    Cook the pasta until just shy of al dente. Reserve 250ml of pasta water before draining.

  5. 5

    Add the drained pasta to the pan with guanciale. Toss to coat with the rendered fat.

  6. 6

    Remove the pan from heat completely. Wait 30 seconds to cool slightly, then add the egg mixture while tossing constantly.

  7. 7

    Add splashes of pasta water as needed to create a silky, coating consistency. The residual heat will cook the eggs gently without scrambling.

  8. 8

    Serve immediately topped with remaining cheese and generous black pepper.

Tips, Variations and Storage

Tips: The key is temperature control. Too hot and the eggs scramble, too cold and they do not cook. Practice makes perfect. Variations: Traditional carbonara uses no cream, but a tablespoon adds insurance against scrambling if you are nervous. Bucatini or rigatoni also work wonderfully. Storage: Carbonara is best served immediately and does not reheat well. Make only what you will eat.

Nutrition Information

Calories
520
Protein
28g
Carbs
48g
Fat
26g

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Sarah Mitchell

Written by

Sarah Mitchell

Certified Executive Chef, Culinary Institute of Australia Graduate, Former Head Chef at The Celebration Kitchen Sydney

Sarah Mitchell is a professionally trained chef and food writer with over 15 years of experience creating recipes for home cooks. She specializes in making complex dishes accessible to everyday families while maintaining authentic flavors and techniques.