Best 8 Carbonara Classica Recipes

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Indulge in the timeless flavors of Carbonara Classica, a quintessential Italian pasta dish that embodies simplicity and indulgence. Originating from Rome, this culinary treasure is renowned for its rich, creamy sauce, perfectly coating al dente spaghetti and complemented by crispy guanciale or pancetta. Our comprehensive guide presents three variations of this classic recipe, each offering unique flavor profiles to tantalize your taste buds. Dive into the authentic Carbonara Classica, featuring guanciale, eggs, Pecorino Romano cheese, and black pepper, an irresistible combination that showcases the essence of this iconic dish. For a contemporary twist, explore the Carbonara con Zucchine e Pancetta, where zucchini ribbons add a vibrant green hue and a delightful crunch, while pancetta lends its smoky, savory notes. And for those seeking a vegetarian alternative, the Carbonara Vegetariana beckons with a creamy sauce infused with artichokes, mushrooms, and sun-dried tomatoes, promising a symphony of flavors. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a home cook eager to master a new culinary art, our Carbonara Classica guide will equip you with the knowledge and recipes to create this delectable dish that has captivated hearts and palates for generations.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

GIADA'S CARBONARA



Giada's Carbonara image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     main-dish

Time 20m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 19

1 bunch asparagus, ends trimmed, rubber band left on
1 pound linguini
1 cup Basil Aioli, recipe follows
1 cup shaved pecorino
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 tablespoons butter
4 to 6 large eggs
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
2 large egg yolks* (See Disclaimer)
2 teaspoons mustard
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the asparagus and cook for 3 minutes. Transfer the asparagus to a bowl of ice water and let sit until cool, about 5 minutes. Remove from the water, remove the rubber band, and cut into 1-inch pieces.
  • Meanwhile, add the pasta to the large pot of salted water used to cook the asparagus and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta into a large bowl. Add the Basil Aioli, cut asparagus, shaved cheese, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and place on a long, rectangular serving dish.
  • Place the butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the eggs and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Fry the eggs to your liking. Place the eggs on top of the pasta and serve immediately.
  • Combine the garlic, egg yolks, mustard, lemon juice, basil, salt, pepper, and cayenne in a food processor and run the machine to mix. With the machine running slowly drizzle in the vegetable and olive oil. Basil Aioli can be kept, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

SPAGHETTI ALLA CARBONARA



Spaghetti alla Carbonara image

For a quick dinner, whip up Tyler Florence's authentic Spaghetti alla Carbonara recipe, a rich tangle of pasta, pancetta and egg, from Food Network.

Provided by Tyler Florence

Categories     main-dish

Time 25m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 pound dry spaghetti
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 ounces pancetta or slab bacon, cubed or sliced into small strips
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 large eggs
1 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus more for serving
Freshly ground black pepper
1 handful fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped

Steps:

  • Prepare the sauce while the pasta is cooking to ensure that the spaghetti will be hot and ready when the sauce is finished; it is very important that the pasta is hot when adding the egg mixture, so that the heat of the pasta cooks the raw eggs in the sauce.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until tender yet firm (as they say in Italian "al dente.") Drain the pasta well, reserving 1/2 cup of the starchy cooking water to use in the sauce if you wish.
  • Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a deep skillet over medium flame. Add the pancetta and saute for about 3 minutes, until the bacon is crisp and the fat is rendered. Toss the garlic into the fat and saute for less than 1 minute to soften.
  • Add the hot, drained spaghetti to the pan and toss for 2 minutes to coat the strands in the bacon fat. Beat the eggs and Parmesan together in a mixing bowl, stirring well to prevent lumps. Remove the pan from the heat and pour the egg/cheese mixture into the pasta, whisking quickly until the eggs thicken, but do not scramble (this is done off the heat to ensure this does not happen.) Thin out the sauce with a bit of the reserved pasta water, until it reaches desired consistency. Season the carbonara with several turns of freshly ground black pepper and taste for salt. Mound the spaghetti carbonara into warm serving bowls and garnish with chopped parsley. Pass more cheese around the table.

BUCATINI CARBONARA



Bucatini Carbonara image

Provided by Geoffrey Zakarian

Categories     main-dish

Time 30m

Yield 2 to 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

Kosher salt
8 ounces dried bucatini pasta
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1 cup diced pancetta
2 cloves garlic, sliced
Coarsely ground black pepper
2 large whole eggs plus 1 large egg yolk
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1/2 cup grated Pecorino-Romano, plus more for serving

Steps:

  • Bring a high-sided pan filled with water to a boil. Season liberally with salt. Place the bucatini in the water.
  • Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large saute pan, then add the pancetta. Cook until the pancetta has rendered and the meat is caramelized, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and about 1 tablespoon black pepper to the pan to toast, about 1 minute. Add a ladle of pasta water to stop the cooking process and let simmer on low heat, 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, whisk together the eggs and egg yolk in a bowl. Add the Parmesan and Pecorino-Romano and whisk to combine. Slowly add a ladle of the pasta water to temper the eggs. Set aside. When the pasta is al dente, add the pasta to the pancetta pan straight from the water. Remove from the heat and add freshly cracked pepper to taste. Add the egg mixture and toss gently to coat. If the sauce gets too thick, add some additional pasta water. Garnish with a generous sprinkling of Pecorino-Romano and a drizzle of olive oil.

CLASSIC CARBONARA WITH PANCETTA



Classic Carbonara with Pancetta image

This is the classic version of carbonara I grew up eating. Serve it piping hot tossed with extra Parmesan cheese and chopped Italian parsley.

Provided by KMOMMYZ

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 50m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 13

4 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 (16 ounce) package penne pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
½ pound sliced pancetta, chopped
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ cup pine nuts, toasted
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
¾ cup chopped Italian flat leaf parsley
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Whisk together the eggs, cream, and 1 cup of Parmesan cheese in a bowl. Blend thoroughly, and set aside.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the pasta, and cook until al dente, or for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta, then return it to the pot (off of the heat), and cover to keep warm.
  • Meanwhile, heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet; add the onion and cook until transparent, about 8 minutes. Remove onion from the skillet; place in a bowl, and cover to keep warm.
  • Using the same skillet, cook the pancetta over medium heat until browned, tossing with nutmeg. Drain on paper towels.
  • Combine the pasta, onion, pancetta, pine nuts, salt, and pepper in the same large skillet over low heat. Slowly stir in the egg-cream mixture, tossing gently so the eggs don't scramble. Cook until just heated through. Remove from heat and toss with parsley and remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 838.1 calories, Carbohydrate 62 g, Cholesterol 263.9 mg, Fat 53.4 g, Fiber 3.7 g, Protein 31.2 g, SaturatedFat 26.1 g, Sodium 870.8 mg, Sugar 4.3 g

THE BEST CARBONARA



The Best Carbonara image

Now this is our idea of comfort food. Creamy and rich, it's the quintessential dish for a chilly evening. We like to splurge every once in a while and add a knob of butter to the cheesy egg sauce just to round it out. We've left that option up to you, however. Either way, we can't think of a more classic or satisfying pasta dish.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 20m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

Kosher salt
4 large eggs, plus 2 large yolks
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for sprinkling
1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano
1 tablespoon coarsely ground black pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature (optional)
1 pound spaghetti
One 12-ounce piece pancetta, cut into matchsticks

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.
  • Whisk together the eggs, yolks, Parmesan, Pecorino, pepper and butter if using in a large bowl until well combined.
  • Add the pasta and cook as the label directs. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain the pasta.
  • Meanwhile, cook the pancetta in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 8 minutes. Add the spaghetti and half the reserved pasta cooking water to the skillet and toss to combine.
  • Add the egg mixture and toss to coat. Cook, tossing continuously to avoid scrambling the eggs, until the sauce is creamy, thinning it with the remaining pasta water if it becomes too thick (it should be saucy but not watery), about 1 minute.
  • Divide the pasta among plates and sprinkle with more grated Parmesan.

ULTIMATE SPAGHETTI CARBONARA RECIPE



Ultimate spaghetti carbonara recipe image

Discover how to make superb spaghetti carbonara. This cheesy pasta dish is an Italian favourite and with the right technique, you can make it perfect every time

Provided by Angela Nilsen

Categories     Dinner, Main course

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 8

100g pancetta
50g pecorino cheese
50g parmesan
3 large eggs
350g spaghetti
2 plump garlic cloves, peeled and left whole
50g unsalted butter
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Put a large saucepan of water on to boil.
  • Finely chop the 100g pancetta, having first removed any rind. Finely grate 50g pecorino cheese and 50g parmesan and mix them together.
  • Beat the 3 large eggs in a medium bowl and season with a little freshly grated black pepper. Set everything aside.
  • Add 1 tsp salt to the boiling water, add 350g spaghetti and when the water comes back to the boil, cook at a constant simmer, covered, for 10 minutes or until al dente (just cooked).
  • Squash 2 peeled plump garlic cloves with the blade of a knife, just to bruise it.
  • While the spaghetti is cooking, fry the pancetta with the garlic. Drop 50g unsalted butter into a large frying pan or wok and, as soon as the butter has melted, tip in the pancetta and garlic.
  • Leave to cook on a medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until the pancetta is golden and crisp. The garlic has now imparted its flavour, so take it out with a slotted spoon and discard.
  • Keep the heat under the pancetta on low. When the pasta is ready, lift it from the water with a pasta fork or tongs and put it in the frying pan with the pancetta. Don't worry if a little water drops in the pan as well (you want this to happen) and don't throw the pasta water away yet.
  • Mix most of the cheese in with the eggs, keeping a small handful back for sprinkling over later.
  • Take the pan of spaghetti and pancetta off the heat. Now quickly pour in the eggs and cheese. Using the tongs or a long fork, lift up the spaghetti so it mixes easily with the egg mixture, which thickens but doesn't scramble, and everything is coated.
  • Add extra pasta cooking water to keep it saucy (several tablespoons should do it). You don't want it wet, just moist. Season with a little salt, if needed.
  • Use a long-pronged fork to twist the pasta on to the serving plate or bowl. Serve immediately with a little sprinkling of the remaining cheese and a grating of black pepper. If the dish does get a little dry before serving, splash in some more hot pasta water and the glossy sauciness will be revived.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 655 calories, Fat 31 grams fat, SaturatedFat 16 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 66 grams carbohydrates, Fiber 3 grams fiber, Protein 32 grams protein, Sodium 2.02 milligram of sodium

SPAGHETTI ALLA CARBONARA: THE TRADITIONAL ITALIAN RECIPE



Spaghetti alla Carbonara: the Traditional Italian Recipe image

This dish was created in the Lazio region (the area around Rome) in the middle of the 20th century, after World War Two. We don't use cream, milk, garlic, onions or other strange ingredients; we use only guanciale, eggs, pecorino cheese, and lots of black pepper (carbonaro is the Italian for coal miner). This isn't the Italian-American version, it's the real, creamy carbonara and it comes right from Italy, where I live. Buon appetito.

Provided by ivan zeta

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 30m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 pound guanciale (cured pork cheek), diced
1 (16 ounce) package spaghetti
3 eggs
10 tablespoons grated Pecorino Romano cheese, divided
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; add guanciale (see Cook's Note). Cook, turning occasionally, until evenly browned and crispy, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and drain on paper towels.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite, about 9 minutes. Drain and return to the pot. Let cool, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.
  • Whisk eggs, half of the Pecorino Romano cheese, and some black pepper in a bowl until smooth and creamy. Pour egg mixture over pasta, stirring quickly, until creamy and slightly cooled. Stir in guanciale. Top with remaining Pecorino Romano cheese and more black pepper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 763.7 calories, Carbohydrate 85.1 g, Cholesterol 199.8 mg, Fat 28.4 g, Fiber 3.6 g, Protein 39 g, SaturatedFat 10.1 g, Sodium 1181.6 mg, Sugar 3.4 g

SPAGHETTI CARBONARA



Spaghetti Carbonara image

This dish is a deli egg-bacon-and-cheese-on-a-roll that has been pasta-fied, fancified, fetishized and turned into an Italian tradition that, like many inviolate Italian traditions, is actually far less old than the Mayflower. Because America may have contributed to its creation, carbonara is Exhibit A in the back-and-forth between Italy and the United States when it comes to food. Remember: the main goal is creaminess.

Provided by Ian Fisher

Categories     dinner, easy, quick, pastas, main course

Time 25m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

Salt
2 large eggs and 2 large yolks, room temperature
1 ounce (about 1/3 packed cup) grated pecorino Romano, plus additional for serving
1 ounce (about 1/3 packed cup) grated Parmesan
Coarsely ground black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 1/2 ounces of slab guanciale (see recipe), pancetta or bacon, sliced into pieces about 1/4 inch thick by 1/3 inch square
12 ounces spaghetti (about 3/4 box)

Steps:

  • Place a large pot of lightly salted water (no more than 1 tablespoon salt) over high heat, and bring to a boil. Fill a large bowl with hot water for serving, and set aside.
  • In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, yolks and pecorino and Parmesan. Season with a pinch of salt and generous black pepper.
  • Set the water to boil. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat, add the pork, and sauté until the fat just renders, on the edge of crispness but not hard. Remove from heat and set aside.
  • Add pasta to the water and boil until a bit firmer than al dente. Just before pasta is ready, reheat guanciale in skillet, if needed. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain pasta and add to the skillet over low heat. Stir for a minute or so.
  • Empty serving bowl of hot water. Dry it and add hot pasta mixture. Stir in cheese mixture, adding some reserved pasta water if needed for creaminess. Serve immediately, dressing it with a bit of additional grated pecorino and pepper.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 513, UnsaturatedFat 11 grams, Carbohydrate 64 grams, Fat 19 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 20 grams, SaturatedFat 6 grams, Sodium 339 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams, TransFat 0 grams

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. Look for fresh eggs, guanciale or pancetta, and Pecorino Romano cheese.
  • Do not overcook the eggs. Cook them until they are just set, or they will become tough and rubbery.
  • Add the pasta to the sauce, not the other way around. This will help the pasta absorb the sauce better.
  • Reserve some of the pasta cooking water to add to the sauce. This will help to loosen the sauce and make it more creamy.
  • Season the sauce to taste with salt and pepper. You may also want to add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little spice.
  • Serve the pasta immediately, topped with additional grated Pecorino Romano cheese and a sprinkling of fresh parsley.

Conclusion:

Carbonara is a delicious and easy-to-make pasta dish that is perfect for a quick weeknight meal. With its rich, creamy sauce and smoky, salty flavors, it is sure to be a hit with everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a quick and satisfying pasta dish, give carbonara a try. You won't be disappointed!

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