Why do I need to use room temperature eggs for spaghetti carbonara?

Room temperature eggs help create a smooth, creamy sauce in spaghetti carbonara. Cold eggs added to hot pasta can cook too quickly, causing them to scramble and form lumps instead of emulsifying into a silky sauce. Letting eggs sit at room temperature before mixing allows for better blending with the hot pasta and cheese, resulting in the classic creamy texture of carbonara.

Can I add cream to traditional spaghetti carbonara?

Traditional spaghetti carbonara does not include cream; the creamy texture comes from the emulsion of eggs, cheese, and pasta water. However, some modern recipes use a splash of heavy cream to help stabilize the sauce and make it easier to prepare. If you prefer an authentic Italian version, it’s best to skip the cream and focus on the correct technique of mixing eggs and cheese off the heat.

What’s the best way to avoid scrambling the eggs when making carbonara?

To prevent scrambled eggs in carbonara, remove the pasta from the heat before adding the egg mixture. Quickly combine the hot pasta with the beaten eggs and cheese, stirring continuously to gently cook the eggs with residual heat. Adding a little reserved pasta water can help create a smooth sauce and regulate the temperature to avoid curdling.

How should I store and reheat leftover spaghetti carbonara?

Spaghetti carbonara is best eaten immediately, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When reheating, add a splash of water or milk to loosen the sauce before warming it gently on the stovetop or in short intervals in the microwave. This helps prevent the sauce from thickening and clumping.

What type of cheese and pasta should I use for authentic carbonara?

Traditional spaghetti carbonara uses guanciale (cured pork cheek) for flavor, and Pecorino Romano cheese for a sharp, salty taste. The pasta is typically spaghetti, but other long, thin pasta like bucatini can also work. Using these authentic ingredients enhances the dish’s distinctive flavors and texture.

Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe Tips For Creamy Authentic Pasta

Name: Spaghetti Carbonara
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: – 340 grams (12 ounces) spaghetti; – 100 grams (3.5 ounces) slab guanciale, pancetta, or bacon, sliced about ¼ inch thick by ⅓ inch square; – 2 large eggs at room temperature; – 2 large yolks at room temperature; – 28 grams (1 ounce) grated Pecorino Romano cheese, plus extra for serving; – 28 grams (1 ounce) grated Parmesan cheese; – 1 tablespoon olive oil; – Salt, to taste; – Coarsely ground black pepper, to taste

Description

🍝 Discover the rich, creamy flavors of authentic Italian Carbonara made with simple, high-quality ingredients.
🍳 This recipe guides you through achieving the perfect silky sauce using eggs, cheese, and rendered pork for a classic, satisfying pasta dish.

Ingredients

– 340 grams (12 ounces) spaghetti

– 100 grams (3.5 ounces) slab guanciale, pancetta, or bacon, sliced about ¼ inch thick by ⅓ inch square

– 2 large eggs at room temperature

– 2 large yolks at room temperature

– 28 grams (1 ounce) grated Pecorino Romano cheese, plus extra for serving

– 28 grams (1 ounce) grated Parmesan cheese

– 1 tablespoon olive oil

– Salt, to taste

– Coarsely ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1-Boil water and cook spaghetti until just firmer than al dente.

2-Whisk eggs, yolks, cheeses, salt, and pepper together.

3-Sauté pork in olive oil until crisp, then remove from heat.

4-Reserve pasta water, drain pasta, and combine with pork on low heat.

5-Mix in egg mixture off the heat, using pasta water to adjust texture.

6-Serve right away with garnishes.

Notes

🥚 Use room-temperature eggs to avoid curdling when making the sauce.
🔥 Remove pasta from heat before mixing with egg mixture to maintain sauce creaminess.
💧 Gradually add reserved starchy pasta water to achieve perfect sauce texture. Reheat gently with water or cream if needed.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Boiling and Sautéing
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 535
Sugar: 3 g
Sodium: 412 mg
Fat: 20 g
Saturated Fat: 7 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 64 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 22 g

Keywords: Carbonara, Italian Pasta, Creamy Pasta, Authentic Carbonara