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Dinner

Easy Restaurant Style Spaghetti Carbonara

A creamy, comforting Italian pasta dish that tastes like a fancy dinner but costs just a few dollars to make.

By Daily Recipes Book· 🌍 Italian· August 27, 2026
Easy Restaurant Style Spaghetti Carbonara
dailyrecipesbook.com
Prep
10 minutes
Cook
15 minutes
Total
25 minutes
Serves
4

Making pasta at home is one of my favorite ways to save money without sacrificing flavor. This carbonara is a classic example of a dish that restaurants charge a lot for, even though it only uses a few simple ingredients from your pantry.

The secret to a perfect sauce is using the heat from the pasta to cook the eggs gently. Make sure you take the pan off the burner before adding the egg mixture so you do not end up with scrambled eggs.

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces spaghetti
  • 4 ounces pancetta or guanciale, diced
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1/2 cup pasta cooking water

Instructions

  1. 1

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until it is al dente.

  2. 2

    While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the diced pancetta.

  3. 3

    Cook the pancetta until it is crispy and golden brown, then turn off the heat and let the pan cool slightly.

  4. 4

    In a small bowl, whisk the eggs and both types of cheese together until they are well combined.

  5. 5

    Drain the pasta but keep about a cup of the salty cooking water to use for the sauce.

  6. 6

    Add the hot pasta to the skillet with the pancetta and toss it well to coat the strands in the fat.

  7. 7

    Pour the egg and cheese mixture over the pasta while tossing quickly, adding splashes of pasta water as needed to create a smooth sauce.

  8. 8

    Finish with plenty of freshly cracked black pepper and serve while it is hot.

💡 Tips

Store any leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to two days. When you want to eat it again, add a tiny splash of water or milk while reheating to keep the sauce creamy.

#pasta#dinner#italian#budget friendly#easy meals

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