Savory and Creamy Spaghetti Carbonara

Spaghetti Carbonara. It's a delicious Italian pasta dish known for its creamy sauce made from eggs, cheese, and pancetta or bacon. Here's a recipe for it:

8 ounces (225 grams) of spaghetti

2 large eggs

1 cup (100 grams) of grated Pecorino Romano cheese (you can also use Parmesan)

3.5 ounces (100 grams) of pancetta or guanciale, diced (you can also use bacon)

2 cloves of garlic, minced (optional)

Salt and black pepper to taste

Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, but be sure to reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water. Set the cooked pasta aside.

In a bowl, whisk together the eggs and grated cheese until well combined. Season with a generous amount of black pepper, and set this mixture aside.

In a large skillet over medium heat, add the diced pancetta or bacon. Cook until it becomes crispy and releases its fat, which should take about 5-7 minutes. If you're using bacon, you may need to drain some of the excess fat.

If you like garlic, you can add minced garlic to the pan with the pancetta and cook for about a minute until fragrant. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can skip this step.

Combine Pasta and Sauce:

Reduce the heat to low and add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the pancetta or bacon. Toss to combine.

Quickly pour the egg and cheese mixture over the pasta, and toss vigorously. The heat from the pasta will cook the eggs and create a creamy sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add some of the reserved pasta cooking water a little at a time until you achieve your desired consistency.

Serve your Spaghetti Carbonara hot, garnished with additional grated cheese, black pepper, and chopped fresh parsley, if desired.

Enjoy your homemade Spaghetti Carbonara! It's a comforting and indulgent pasta dish that's sure to satisfy your taste buds.