Real Spaghetti Carbonara | Antonio Carluccio

Introduction

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to make authentic Italian Spaghetti Carbonara, a classic dish celebrated for its simplicity and rich flavors. Chef Antonio Carluccio shares his traditional recipe, ensuring you avoid common mistakes and achieve a creamy, delicious result without using cream.

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Gather your ingredients to make the cooking process smooth and efficient. For two servings, you'll need:

• Spaghettoni (thicker spaghetti)
• 10 grams of salt per liter of water
• Guanciale (pork cheek) or alternatively pancetta
• 2 eggs (preferably just the yolks)
• Parmesan cheese or Pecorino cheese (for grating)
• Freshly cracked black pepper
• Good quality olive oil

Step 2: Cook the Pasta

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
2. Add salt to the boiling water (10 grams per liter).
3. Add the spaghettoni to the water.
4. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
5. Cook the pasta for about 10 minutes or until al dente.

Step 3: Prepare the Sauce

1. While the pasta cooks, cut the guanciale into large chunks.
2. Heat a pan over medium heat and add a drizzle of good olive oil.
3. Add the guanciale to the pan and cook until it becomes crispy and releases fat.

Step 4: Create the Egg Mixture

1. In a bowl, crack the two eggs and separate the yolks.
2. Beat the yolks until they are well combined.
3. Add grated Parmesan or Pecorino cheese to the yolks, along with a generous amount of freshly cracked black pepper. Mix well.

Step 5: Combine Pasta and Sauce

1. Once the pasta is cooked, reserve a small amount of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
2. Add the drained pasta into the pan with the guanciale.
3. Remove the pan from heat to prevent scrambling the eggs.
4. Pour the egg mixture over the pasta while tossing quickly to combine, allowing the residual heat to create a creamy sauce. If the mixture is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it.

Step 6: Serve and Garnish

1. Serve the carbonara immediately on plates.
2. Top with additional grated cheese and a final sprinkle of black pepper for added flavor.

Conclusion

You’ve now mastered the art of making authentic Spaghetti Carbonara! Remember, the key is to manage the heat carefully to prevent the eggs from scrambling. Enjoy your dish with a side of fresh salad or garlic bread for a complete meal. Feel free to experiment with the type of pasta and cheese to find your perfect carbonara!