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What ingredients are in carbonara?

What ingredients are in carbonara?
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Ever wondered what ingredients are in carbonara? This classic Roman pasta dish is beloved worldwide—and often misunderstood. Unlike modern versions with cream or garlic, traditional Italian Carbonara stays true to just five ingredients: pasta, guanciale, egg yolks, Pecorino Romano, and black pepper. The result? A luxuriously creamy, deeply savory pasta without a drop of cream in sight. Follow this authentic Carbonara recipe to master the real deal.

Ingredients

Scale

For 2 servings:

  • 200g spaghetti (or rigatoni or bucatini)

  • 100g guanciale (cut into thin strips)

  • 2 large egg yolks

  • 1 whole egg

  • 50g Pecorino Romano (finely grated)

  • Freshly cracked black pepper (to taste)

  • Salt (for pasta water)

  • Reserved pasta water (about ½ cup)

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta
    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining.

  • Render the guanciale
    Place guanciale in a cold pan and heat over medium. Cook for 5–7 minutes until golden and crisp. Remove pan from heat.

  • Mix egg and cheese
    In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks, whole egg, Pecorino Romano, and plenty of cracked black pepper until creamy. Add 1 tbsp hot pasta water to temper.

  • Combine off the heat
    Toss hot, drained pasta in the pan with guanciale. Off the heat, add the egg mixture, tossing quickly to coat. Add pasta water little by little until you get a silky sauce.

 

  • Serve immediately
    Top with extra cheese and pepper. Serve hot—Carbonara waits for no one!

Notes

  • Avoid scrambled eggs: Never add the eggs while the pan is on heat.

  • No guanciale? Substitute with pancetta (closest) or bacon (least traditional).

  • Cheese matters: Pecorino Romano is tangier than Parmesan—don’t swap unless necessary.

  • Pasta choice: Use spaghetti for tradition, but bucatini or rigatoni are great too.

 

  • Make it vegetarian? Try smoked mushrooms or tempeh for a creative umami replacement.

Nutrition

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Find it online: https://simpelrecipes.com/what-ingredients-are-in-carbonara/