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Creamy New Year’s Pasta Carbonara Recipe with Crispy Pancetta Made Easy

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A rich and creamy pasta carbonara featuring crispy pancetta, sharp Pecorino Romano, and a silky egg-based sauce. Perfect for New Year’s celebrations or any comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (340 grams) spaghetti or linguine, cooked al dente
  • 6 ounces (170 grams) pancetta, diced
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (100 grams) Pecorino Romano cheese, finely grated
  • 2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
  • Salt, for pasta water
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for sautéing pancetta if needed)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 ounces (340 grams) of spaghetti and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup (240 ml) of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 6 ounces (170 grams) diced pancetta and sauté until crispy and golden, about 5-7 minutes. If pancetta is lean, add 1 tablespoon olive oil to help crisp it up. Remove from heat and set aside.
  3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together 3 large eggs (room temperature), 1 cup (100 grams) finely grated Pecorino Romano, and 2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper until smooth and creamy.
  4. Return the skillet with pancetta to low heat, add the drained pasta, and toss to combine. Remove from heat immediately to prevent scrambling the eggs.
  5. Pour the egg and cheese mixture over the pasta, tossing quickly and continuously. Add a splash of reserved pasta water as needed to create a silky sauce that coats every strand without clumping.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning with more black pepper or Pecorino if desired. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.

Notes

Use room temperature eggs to avoid scrambling. Toss egg mixture off heat or on very low heat to keep sauce silky. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta. For dairy-free, substitute Pecorino Romano with nutritional yeast and eggs with coconut cream (texture will differ). Pancetta can be swapped with guanciale or turkey bacon for variations.

Nutrition

Keywords: carbonara, pasta, pancetta, creamy pasta, New Year's recipe, comfort food, easy pasta recipe, Pecorino Romano, crispy pancetta

Find it online: https://lucydishes.com/creamy-new-years-pasta-carbonara-recipe-with-crispy-pancetta-made-easy/