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+ servings

Bucatini Carbonara with Guanciale

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Equipment

  • Large Saucepan (4 Quarts)
  • Medium Bowl
  • Large Skillet (10 inches)

Ingredients  

  • 2-3 ounces guanciale, cut into ⅓ inch cubes
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
  • 0.5 ounces Parmigiano Reggiano, finely grated
  • 6 ounces bucatini
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly cracked

Instructions 

  • Bring a large saucepan of salt water to a boil (about 1 teaspoon of salt) over medium-high heat. Once the water has come to a boil, add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until it is al dente. Drain pasta, reserving one cup of pasta water.
  • Prepare the egg and cheese mixture and cook the guanciale while the pasta is cooking.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, egg yolk, grated Parmigiano Reggiano, and black pepper until a creamy sauce has formed. Set it aside.
  • Cook the cubed guanciale in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking. Cook until crispy, and the fat has been rendered, then turn off the heat.
  • Once the pasta has been cooked and drained, reheat the guanciale over medium-high heat, then add the drained pasta to the pan. Toss the guanciale and pasta in the rendered fat to coat the pasta, then turn off the heat.
  • With the heat off, add the egg and cheese mixture and stir. The texture should be creamy, but you can add the reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if needed for creaminess.
  • Serve immediately with additional grated cheese, pepper, and any remaining guanciale in the skillet.

Notes

1. Cook the Bucatini according to package instructions, but the cooking time for bucatini is typically 7-9 minutes.
2. You can use any short or long pasta for this, but make sure you buy bronze-cut pasta. It is made with a special die that provides more friction, producing a rougher surface on the pasta, and helping the sauce cling better.
3. Pasta Carbonara is made with Pecorino Romano, and we used Parmigiano Reggiano for our version. Whatever cheese you decide on, it’s best to grate it yourself.  Pre-shredded cheese contains preservatives such as potato starch to prevent clumping, so it doesn’t melt as evenly. 
4. Guanciale is used to make authentic carbonara, but you can substitute pancetta, which is a cured pork made from pork belly.
5. Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. The nutritional value is only for the pasta carbonara and will vary depending on the brand of pasta used.  It does not include the nutritional value of any garnishes, such as cheese. It does not include the nutrition for any substitutions.
6. Be sure to check out the Key Ingredients along with the Recipe Tips and Notes sections found in the post, for more tips, options, substitutions, and variations for this recipe! You will also find step-by-step photos there.