How to Make Authentic Carbonara Sauce in 5 Easy Steps

Carbonara sauce is a classic Italian dish that has been enjoyed for centuries. It is a simple, yet delicious spaghetti sauce made with eggs, bacon, Parmesan cheese, and black pepper. The creamy and savory flavor of the dish is something that can satisfy anyone’s taste buds. If you are a pasta lover and want to try something new, then you should definitely try making carbonara sauce. In this article, we’re going to share easy steps on how to make carbonara sauce that tastes better than the ones you had at restaurants.

Making carbonara sauce doesn’t require much effort, even if you are a new cook. You can make this delicious dish by using only a few basic ingredients. All you need is eggs, bacon, Parmesan cheese, black pepper, and spaghetti. Surprisingly, there is no heavy cream needed to make this sauce! So if you are looking for a creamy pasta dish without using heavy cream, then carbonara is the one for you. With the right ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, you can easily prepare this savory dish at home and impress your friends and family with your culinary skills.

The Ingredients

Carbonara sauce is one of the simplest and quickest pasta sauces to make, yet incredibly satisfying. To make the best carbonara sauce, one would need to gather the following ingredients:

1. Pasta
2. 1 pound of bacon
3. 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
4. 4 large egg yolks
5. 2 cloves of garlic, minced
6. Salt and black pepper
7. Olive oil
8. 1 cup of heavy cream
9. Fresh parsley leaves, chopped
10. 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter

Preparation

Now that you have all the ingredients that you need, it’s time to make the carbonara sauce. Follow the step-by-step guide below

Step 1: Cook The Pasta

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then salt the water until it tastes like the ocean. Add the pasta and cook for about 8-10 minutes until it’s cooked al dente. Drain the pasta and reserve about a cup of the pasta’s starchy water.

Step 2: Cook The Bacon

While the pasta is cooking, place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of olive oil and the bacon, and cook for about 8-10 minutes until crispy. Once the bacon is browned, transfer it to a plate and place it away from the heat.

Step 3: Make The Sauce

Using the same skillet, remove the bacon bits and sauté the garlic until fragrant (1-2 minutes). Add the heavy cream and butter, and let it simmer for 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

Step 4: Add The Cheese And Egg Yolks

Whisk the egg yolks and grated Parmesan cheese in a small bowl. Then, remove the skillet from the heat and gradually add the egg yolk mixture to the skillet while constantly whisking it until it becomes smooth.

Step 5: Combine The Pasta And Sauce

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, and toss it together with the sauce until it’s evenly coated. Add a splash of the pasta’s starchy water to help combine everything.

Step 6: Add The Bacon And Parsley

Add the crispy bacon bits to the skillet, and give it one final toss to combine everything. Sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley and black pepper on top of the dish.

Step 7: Serve

Serve it immediately while it’s hot. You may sprinkle some extra grated Parmesan cheese on top as a garnish and slices of garlic bread as a side dish. Enjoy your homemade carbonara sauce!

Conclusion

In conclusion, making carbonara sauce is very simple and requires only a few ingredients. If you follow the steps outlined above, you’ll enjoy a delicious pasta dish. You can experiment with the recipe to fit your taste by adding mushrooms, peas, or chicken to make it more flavorful. However, remember to stick to the basics and maintain the simple integrity of the sauce. Happy cooking!

Ingredients needed

Making carbonara sauce at home is easy and straightforward, and the ingredients you’ll need are budget-friendly and easily accessible. Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make a hearty carbonara sauce:

1. Pasta – 500g is enough to serve a family of four.
2. Pancetta or bacon – 100g, diced into small cubes.
3. Large egg yolks – two to three
4. Salt – 2 to 3 teaspoons
5. Ground black pepper – 2 teaspoons
6. Heavy cream – 1 cup
7. Parmesan cheese – 1 cup freshly grated
8. Garlic – 2-3 cloves
9. Olive oil – 2 tablespoons

Step by step guide to making carbonara sauce

Now that you have all the necessary ingredients at hand, let’s dive into the process of making mouth-watering carbonara sauce. Here is a step-by-step guide that will help guide you through the process.

Step 1: Cook the pasta

Fill a pot with enough water to cook the pasta and boil over high heat. Add salt to the boiling water and cook the pasta for approximately 8-10 minutes or until it’s al dente. Once cooked, drain the water and set aside.

Step 2: Cook the bacon

Next, while the pasta is cooking, take a large skillet and heat it over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, sliced garlic, and diced bacon pancetta. Cook until crispy brown. Once the bacon is cooked, remove the skillet from heat and set it aside.

Step 3: Egg and cream mixture

In a mixing bowl, whisk together heavy cream, egg yolks, black pepper, and grated parmesan cheese. Mix well until the ingredients are well combined.

Step 4: Mix the pasta

Put the drained pasta in the skillet with the cooked bacon and garlic. Toss the pasta with the bacon and garlic to mix evenly.

Step 5: Add the cream mixture

Next, pour the egg and cream mixture into the pasta, over low heat. The key to this step is to make sure that the egg yolks don’t curdle. Keep stirring the pasta for approximately 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the pasta.

Step 6: Serve

Once the pasta is cooked to a creamy consistency, take off the heat and serve immediately. Garnish with parsley or grated parmesan cheese for a final touch of flavour.

There you have it, a simple and easy-to-follow recipe for carbonara sauce that you can make at home. With these ingredients and steps, you can make a delicious Italian carbonara right in your own kitchen.

Ingredients Needed for Carbonara Sauce

Making a delicious carbonara sauce is quite simple and requires only a few key ingredients. However, using high-quality ingredients is crucial for creating the perfect taste and texture.

1. Pasta

The first ingredient you will need is pasta. Although any pasta will do, spaghetti or bucatini are the most popular choices. You will need around 500 grams of pasta for four servings. Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until it is al dente.

2. Egg yolks

Egg yolks are one of the core components of carbonara sauce. You will need around four egg yolks for this recipe. Make sure the eggs are fresh, and separate the yolks from the whites.

3. Pancetta

Pancetta is an Italian bacon made from pork belly that is salt-cured and dried. It is a fundamental ingredient in carbonara sauce that provides a rich, smoky flavor. You will need about 200 grams of pancetta, which should be diced before cooking.

4. Pecorino Romano Cheese

Pecorino Romano is a salty cheese made from sheep’s milk from the Lazio region of Italy. It is a necessary ingredient in carbonara sauce that adds a distinctive flavor and a creamy texture. You can use Parmigiano-Reggiano as an alternative if you cannot find Pecorino. Grate about 100 grams of Pecorino Romano for this recipe.

5. Black pepper

Carbonara sauce wouldn’t be complete without a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper. It is essential to add this ingredient to taste, so make sure you have your pepper mill ready.

Using these ingredients and following the recipe below, you can create a classic carbonara sauce that your family and friends will love.

Enjoy Your Homemade Carbonara Sauce!

And that’s it! Making your own carbonara sauce couldn’t be easier. We hope our step-by-step guide has helped you on your journey to becoming a master chef. Now it’s time to sit back and enjoy your delicious creation with your family or friends. Thanks for reading, don’t forget to visit our blog again soon for more tasty recipes! Happy cooking!