Spaghetti Carbonara: Authentic Italian Recipes

Spaghetti carbonara is an Italian pasta dish based on eggs, pecorino romano cheese,guanciale, and black pepper. This dish was created in the middle of the 20th century. The recipe can vary, though all agree that cheese, egg yolks, pepper and cured fatty pork can’ t miss. Like most recipes, the origins of the dish are obscure, and there are many legends about it. As the name is derived from the Italian word for charcoal, some believe that the dish was first made as a hearty meal for Italian charcoal workers. Others say that it was originally made over charcoal grills, or that it was made with squid ink, giving it the colour of carbon. 

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 15 minutes

Total time: 30 minutes

Difficulty: Medium

Carbonara spaghetti recipe: Ingredients
In order to make spaghetti carbonara really good you need some typical Italian products, such as guanciale, spaghetti, extra virgin olive oil and pecorino romano cheese. Try to buy them in an Italian shop or buy them in an Italian food store online. 

- 500 g spaghetti

- 150 g guanciale

- 50 g pecorino romano cheese

- Italian extra virgin olive oil

- 5 eggs, 4 yolks and 1 whole egg 

- one glass of white wine

- 1 small onion, cut into rings

- pepper and salt to taste

Step 1: Put 4 egg yolks and 1 whole egg into a large bowl.

Step 2: While whisking add gradually the pecorino romano cheese until getting a smooth and creamy mixture.

Step 3: Add the pepper, previously prepared and whisk.

Step 4: Put the extra virgin olive oil into a frying pan and when hot move distributing the oil over the pan surface. Lay all the guanciale slices and cook at medium heat for 3 minutes until they are crisp and golden. Leave them for the moment.

Step 5: In the same pan you cooked the guanciale, add the onion rings and cook them for a couple of minutes. Add the wine and cook onions until they caramelised.

Step 6: Now stir onions and guanciale together. 

Step 7: While the sauce is cooking, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt and the spaghetti. Cook uncovered over high heat until they are al dente, it depends on the kind of spaghetti, but generally 8 minutes are enough. 

Step 8: Drain the pasta, and quick add guanciale and onions. Stir for 20 seconds and add some extra pecorino romano cheese.

 

Step 9: Happy meal and enjoy your spaghetti carbonara!

 

If you need more help you can look at this Youtube video: Spaghetti carbonara!