Spaghetti alla carbonara

Name: Spaghetti alla carbonara
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: Serves 4
Cuisine: Italian recipes
Ingredients: 3 large eggs; 75g Parmesan, finely grated; 1 tbsp olive oil; 150g sliced smoked pancetta, cut into thin strips; 1 garlic clove, halved; 400g fresh spaghetti

Easy
May 2006

Easy
May 2006

Test kitchen approved

Serves 4
Hands on time 20 mins

This classic Italian spaghetti recipe is fast and simple; simply toss eggs, parmesan, pancetta and pasta together and season well.

Or for a twist on the classic, try another carbonara recipe. We’ve got variations with chorizo, peas or mushrooms.

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Ingredients

3 large eggs
75g Parmesan, finely grated
1 tbsp olive oil
150g sliced smoked pancetta, cut into thin strips
1 garlic clove, halved
400g fresh spaghetti

Method

Beat the eggs together with a whisk, then mix in the cheese and season with some salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Heat the oil in a frying pan and sauté the pancetta and garlic for about 4 minutes, or until the pancetta starts to brown. Remove from the heat and discard the garlic.
Meanwhile, place the spaghetti in a pan of boiling lightly salted water and cook for 2–3 minutes, if fresh, until al dente. Allow 6-8 minutes if you are using dried pasta.
Drain the pasta and add the pancetta and the egg and cheese mixture. Off the heat, toss well to warm the eggs, until they are creamy. Serve immediately, sprinkled with freshly ground black pepper.