Creamy Easy Pasta Carbonara for Two
A quick and simple recipe for a creamy, comforting pasta carbonara perfect for two, featuring pancetta, eggs, and a blend of Pecorino Romano and Parmesan cheeses.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 oz (170 g) spaghetti or linguine
- 3 oz (85 g) pancetta, diced
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Salt, for pasta water
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (about 4 quarts or 3.8 liters). Add spaghetti and cook until al dente, about 8-9 minutes. Reserve ¾ cup (180 ml) pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil and diced pancetta. Sauté until crispy and golden, about 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, Pecorino Romano, Parmesan, and black pepper until creamy and well combined.
- Add drained pasta immediately to the skillet with pancetta off the heat. Toss to coat pasta in pancetta fat.
- Pour egg and cheese mixture over pasta, tossing briskly but gently with tongs to combine. The residual heat cooks the eggs slowly, creating a silky sauce without scrambling.
- If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time (2-3 tablespoons) to smooth the sauce.
- Season with additional black pepper as desired. Add salt only if necessary.
- Serve immediately, topped with extra grated cheese and a final crack of black pepper.
Notes
Do not scramble the eggs by tossing off heat. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Use freshly grated cheese for best melting. Crisp pancetta slowly over medium heat. Serve immediately for best texture. Leftovers can be stored up to 2 days and reheated gently.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (half the re
- Calories: 575
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 27.5
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 52.5
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 27.5
Keywords: pasta carbonara, creamy pasta, easy dinner, pancetta, Italian recipe, quick pasta, romantic dinner, comfort food