In this article we explain how to make an authentic Italian carbonara. One of the most emblematic dishes of its cuisine, the preparation has some secrets that we will reveal to you below. Read on to discover them!

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Recipe for authentic Italian carbonara

Authentic Italian carbonara is a traditional recipe that has been passed down from generation to generation. Although there are many variations and adaptations of this delicious pasta, today we will focus on the classic recipe. To start, you will need the following ingredients:

Ingredients

• 200 grams of spaghetti
• 150 grams of pancetta or guanciale (italian bacon)
• 3 egg yolks
• 50 grams grated Pecorino Romano (or Parmesan) cheese
• Black pepper to taste
• Sal to taste

Now that you have all the ingredients ready, let's get cooking!

1.  First step:
• Boil water in a large pot and add salt generously. Cook the spaghetti according to the instructions on the packet until al dente. Remember to reserve one cup of the cooking water before draining the pasta.
2.  Prepare the carbonara sauce:
• While the spaghetti is cooking, chop the pancetta into small pieces. In a large skillet, cook the pancetta over medium heat until crisp and golden brown. Remove excess fat if desired, but be sure to leave some to flavour the sauce.
3.  Mix the ingredients together:
• In a separate bowl, mix together the egg yolks, grated cheese and a generous amount of black pepper. Whisk the mixture until smooth and homogeneous consistency.
4.  Final combination:
• When the spaghetti is ready, drain and reserve. Add the spaghetti to the pan with the pancetta and mix well to infuse the flavours. Make sure the pan is not too hot to prevent the eggs from curdling.
5.  The final touch:
• Remove the pan from the heat and add the egg and cheese mixture. Stir quickly so that the eggs cook slightly with the residual heat from the spaghetti. If the sauce seems too thick, you can add a little of the reserved cooking water to lighten it.

And that's it! Your authentic Italian carbonara is ready to be enjoyed. Serve the pasta on individual plates and sprinkle with a little more grated cheese and black pepper if desired. Remember that carbonara is best served immediately, as the egg-based sauce tends to thicken over time.

In short, very easy:

 To make an authentic Italian carbonara, follow these steps:

1.  Boil the spaghetti in salted water until al dente.
2.  Meanwhile, cook the pancetta or guanciale in a frying pan until crispy and golden brown.
3.  In a separate bowl, mix the egg yolks, grated cheese and black pepper.
4.  Drain the spaghetti, but reserve some of the cooking water.
5.  Add the spaghetti to the pan with the pancetta and mix well.
6.  Remove the pan from the heat and add the egg and cheese mixture, stirring quickly.
7.  If the sauce is too dense, add a little of the reserved cooking water to lighten it.
8.  Serve the carbonara immediately, sprinkle with grated cheese and additional black pepper if desired.

We hope you found this recipe useful. Remember that authentic Italian carbonara is characterised by its simplicity and richness of flavours - enjoy this delicious pasta and surprise your loved ones with a traditional Italian dish!