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Pasta Carbonara, Rome’s Recipe
Pasta Carbonara, Rome’s recipe is so delicious and simple to make. And so good, you will make again and again! Perfect for date night in. As well as a dinner party. Although having only pasta in the pantry works too. Can easily be made using gluten free pasta. So good and peanut and tree nut free!
Italian Food at it’s Best
Pasta Carbonara has a storied history. While Rome claims Pasta Carbonara as its own, its origin is somewhat murky. From shepherd’s in the hills surrounding Rome to coal miners and WWII GI’s, all declare ownership. Nevertheless, Pasta Carbonara is scrumptious, inexpensive and super-easy to make! However, to be authentic, you need to use Pecorino Romano cheese. This is a hard, salty sheep’s milk cheese typically from the area around Rome. Actually, Italy has strict production of Pecorino. Besides the area of Lazio (Rome), only Sardinia and the Tuscan province of Grosseto can produce Pecorino Romano. Similarly, to Italian wine production, highly regulated. But that is good for us eaters! As this attention to detail, makes a superior product. Because there are only 4 ingredients, it is best to use good quality. And having room temperature eggs is key. As no one wants scrambled eggs when they are expecting creamy, comforting Pasta Carbonara! Together with a big, bold red wine or a lighter beer, the depth of flavors will make you want to lick your bowl. But you may want to think about that if it’s date night! 🙂
Pasta Carbonara, Rome’s Recipe
For a traditional meal in Italy, Pasta Carbonara is a Primi, or first course. That means in Italy, you will get a small bowl-full. Not the typical huge dish Italian-American restaurants serve. So, consider if you need to double this recipe. Or add another course. Either a soup, salad or dessert…like a yummy, gooey Nutella Chocolate Cake. Also very delicious with a glass of red wine!
As Rome is one of our very favorite cities to visit, when in Rome, we always order Pasta Carbonara. If you have future plans to travel to Italy, take a look at our tips for 3 Days in Rome or Molto Delicious Italy. Italian meals are so much fun because you get to order many different courses. Or as our son did more than once, a pasta course and two desserts. And then gelato…ahh youth!
Pasta Carbonara, Rome’s Recipe is a scrumptious memory of the Eternal City. Enjoy!
Pasta Carbonara, Rome's Delicious Dish!
Rome's Dish: Pasta Alla CarbonaraThe origin of Carbonara is somewhat murky: from shepherds, coal miners, WWII GI's, etc...no matter, Rome claims this dish as one of theirs and so would I, as it is THAT delicious! To be authentic, use an Italian Pecorino cheese, which is a hard sheep-milk cheese from the hills around Rome. And allow eggs to get to room temperature.This is easy and fast - my teenage daughter makes this often.
Ingredients
- 1 pound dry spaghetti
- 1 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- 3 extra large eggs at room temperature very important
- 5 ounces pancetta or diced proscuitto guanciale if available
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cracked black pepper or more to taste
- 1 teaspoon fresh parsley for decoration
Instructions
- Add salt to large pot of water and bring to a boil over high heat. In separate bowl, add room temperature eggs and finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese together. Set aside.
- While water is boiling, in large saute pan add guanciale, pancetta OR diced proscuitto and cook, stirring often until fat has been rendered, about 8 minutes.
- When water in pot boils, add dry pasta and cook ONLY until al dente (to the tooth). See package directions for cooking time - do NOT overcook. Reserve two cups of the cooking water in Pyrex or heat resistant cup and then drain the pasta.
- SLOWLY whisk ONLY ½ cup of cooking water into Pecorino cheese-egg mixture. If you do this too fast, you will have scrambled eggs!
- Add pasta to large saute pan with cooked pancetta or proscuitto.
- Add egg/cheese mixture to pasta and stir well. If needing more sauce, slowly add a little of the reserved pasta water.
- Serve with additional grated Pecorino Romano cheese and cracked black pepper. Chop parsley and sprinkle around plate for added color.
Notes
This is a great recipe for teens learning how to cook.
This can be a main course or as Italians would say "a primi" course - more of an appetizer before a multi-course lunch or dinner.
Warning: we NEVER have leftovers, so you may consider doubling!
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Pasta Carbonara is one of my favourites. thanks for sharing this recipe and an interesting informative post!
So glad that you enjoyed our Pasta Carbonara recipe – Cheese & Pasta= true love! 🙂
Carbonara is one of my absolute faves – I learnt how to cook it when I was nannying in Naples as a teenager.
I once went on a mission around Lake Garda to try to find the best Carbonara – found one that was spot on in Bardolino 😉
Oh Hannah, I love your mission to find the best Carbonara around Lake Garda! Have not been to Bardolino before but going on my list! Especially from someone who learned to cook it in Napoli – you know a good Carbonara! Maybe I should be asking for your recipe? 🙂
I love Italy and also really love Italian cuisine. Pasta Carbonara is my favorite. Thanks for this recipe. You reminded me of my trip to Rome …
So glad that our recipe reminded you of your trip to Rome and love of Italian cuisine! Food memories are the best – thank you so much for stopping by & commenting. Our next recipe will be up soon – Italian Pizza Dough-yum!
Great recipe, Cindi. I will try this at home soon. I also love how you provide some history and background story. When I blog about recipes, I am often in doubt if this is a good idea, so I am very pleased that your popular post goes by the same principle.
Appreciate your comments Stefan – it is always a toss up whether to add a bit of a story or background to a recipe. Thank you so much for letting me know that you enjoyed the recipe with some background!
I love carbonara pasta and am going to try this recipe! It sounds delicious and easy to make!
Carbonara is the ultimate comfort food and ready in only 30 minutes. Perfect for Fall and Winter.
Pasta carbonara is like tasting Rome on a plate. I’ll have to try your recipe for lunch one of these days 😀
Aww…love what you said: Pasta Carbonara IS like tasting Rome on a plate! Please let us know if you do make our Carbonara. 🙂
Oh my goodness. This looks so delicious! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
You are so welcome – pasta always makes everyone happy!
Oh this is making me crave Italy and the food. I may just have to make this now 🙂
So glad it that you liked the Carbonara post. I am craving Italy too…but Italian food and wine at home for now…
There’s nothing like pizza and pasta in Italy. I had our first taste of carbonara when we visited Rome years ago. The recipe is simple but yet sooo delicious! Thanks for sharing. I’m definitely making this at home.
You are so right Jane! For whatever reasons, the pizza and pasta in Italy are just scrumptious! And the wine and the gelato…:-)
ooh this sounds delicious! It is one of our fave pasta dishes along with frutti di mare! Will try this recipe!! And love discovering your blog! Looks gorgeous.
You are so sweet – made my day! 🙂 Love Frutti di mare as well…think I might have to work on perfecting that recipe, because I may need lots of “research”!
Great recipe will be sure to make it. Pasta – always my children’s first choice.
Please let us know how you all like this Carbonara – it is my daughters favorite recipe.
I knew this one would make me drool! My partner has been making a lot of carbonara since our trips to Italy last fall. But I don’t think we’re using the proper cheese or meat – will need to go and source these!
Please let me know if you all make the Carbonara – we make all the time as it’s my daughter’s favorite. This recipe was given to me by a good friend from Rome – his Nonna’s recipe that she is happy to share as what is that Italian saying, “meat makes you strong but pasta makes you happy”!
Wow. This looks like an amazing recipe. And it sounds easy too! For some reason I had it in mind to be complicated. I’ll def have to try this sometime!
It is super easy and as long as the eggs are room temperature, foolproof! Please let me know if you make this Lannie. 🙂
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Now you’ve gone and put that carbonara that in January In Rome in my head. Guess I’m just going to have to put your proper recipe to the test. Looks delicious.
Isn’t Carbonara just delicious?! Please let us know if you make our recipe, always interested in any thoughts – really improves my cooking! Sorry John to just be replying – this ended up trash cause of captcha. 🙂
Beautiful photography of delicious food! I can almost smell it!
Oh, thank you so much – glad that you can almost smell the Pasta Carbonara, testament to Pasta! 🙂
Oh such great and lasting memories of Rome! Your pasta looks delicious! I could have some right now!
Ready in less than 30 minutes and a great memory from Rome!