Best 15 Spaghetti Carbonara Americas Test Kitchen Recipes

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Craving a rich and flavorful pasta dish that is easy to make? Look no further than spaghetti carbonara. This classic Italian dish is the perfect combination of creamy, cheesy, and smoky flavors. With simple ingredients and a quick cooking time, it is a great choice for a busy weeknight meal. The secret to a great carbonara lies in the use of good quality ingredients and the careful balancing of flavors. The best recipes use a combination of eggs, cheese, pancetta, and black pepper to create a rich and decadent sauce that coats the pasta perfectly. To make sure you get the most out of this classic dish, we have compiled a list of the best spaghetti carbonara recipes from America's Test Kitchen, each one tested and perfected to ensure a delicious and satisfying meal.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

SPAGHETTI CARBONARA



Spaghetti Carbonara image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 32m

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 pound pancetta, chopped
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 large eggs, see cook's notes
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
1 pound spaghetti
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Steps:

  • 1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat.
  • 2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until it is cooked but not crisp, about 10 minutes. Stir in chile flakes, remove skillet from heat, and set aside.
  • 3. In a large serving bowl, mix eggs, cheese, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt; set aside. Generously salt boiling water, add spaghetti and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 12 minutes. Drain pasta, reserving 1/4 cup of cooking water, and quickly stir noodles and water into egg mixture. Add pancetta, pan drippings, and parsley to pasta; toss to combine. Serve immediately.

SPAGHETTI CARBONARA (AMERICA'S TEST KITCHEN)



SPAGHETTI CARBONARA (AMERICA'S TEST KITCHEN) image

Categories     Egg     Pasta     Bacon

Yield 4 Servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

8 slices bacon, cut 1/2 in pieces
1/2 cup water
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/4 cup (2 1/2 oz) Pecorino Romano cheese, grated
3 large eggs plus 1 egg yolk
1 tsp pepper
1 lb spaghetti
1 tsp salt

Steps:

  • 1. Bring bacon and water to simmer in 10 in non-stick skillet over medium heat. Cook until water evaporates and bacon begins to sizzle. (5-8 min) 2. Add garlic and cook, stirring constantly for 30 seconds. 3. Strain though fine-mesh strainer to bowl. Set aside solids and reserve liquid. 4. Measure out 1 tbs fat water to separate bowl and whisk in cheese, all eggs, and pepper. 5. Bring 2 quarts water to bowl and add spaghetti and salt. Stir frequently until al dente. Drain, RESERVING 1 CUP COOKING WATER. 6. Whisk 1/2 cup cooking water into Pecorino mixture and gradually pour over spaghetti, tossing to coat. Add reserve bacon solids. Let rest, tossing frequently until slightly thickened (2-4 min). Adjust consistency with reserved cooking water if needed. Serve immediately.

SPAGHETTI ALLA CARBONARA



Spaghetti alla Carbonara image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 pound spaghetti
4 eggs
1 teaspoon black pepper
3 teaspoons Pecorino Romano, plus extra, for serving
2 teaspoons cream, optional
3 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 slices pancetta

Steps:

  • Boil the spaghetti in salted water until it is al dente. Drain and set aside.
  • Beat the eggs. Add the black pepper and cheese to the beaten eggs. Set aside. Add cream to this mixture, if desired, for a creamier dish.
  • Put the oil in a saucepan with the pancetta, and saute for 5 minutes. Add the spaghetti into the pan and saute for another 3 minutes.
  • Turn off the flame (this is important) and add the egg and cheese mixture to the pasta and mix. Serve with additional Pecorino Romano on top.

SPAGHETTI ALLA CARBONARA



Spaghetti alla Carbonara image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 30m

Yield 2 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 tablespoon salt
1 whole egg
1 egg yolk
1/4 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano
1/4 cup grated pecorino Romano, plus extra for garnish
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup diced pancetta
1 pound spaghetti
Fresh cracked black pepper, for garnish

Steps:

  • Bring a pot of water to a boil to cook the pasta. Add the salt to the water.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, egg yolk, Parmesan, pecorino, and pepper and whisk for 3 to 4 minutes or until it is thick and creamy.
  • In a medium saute pan, render the pancetta until crispy. Remove pancetta from pan and place on a paper towel to remove excess fat.
  • Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente. Strain the pasta, do not rinse, and add the hot pasta to the bowl with the egg mixture. Fold the egg mixture and pasta together for 30 seconds. It is very important that the pasta be very hot when added to the egg mixture, so that the heat of the pasta cooks the eggs. Fold the pancetta into the pasta.
  • Garnish with grated pecorino Romano and extra black pepper.

SPAGHETTI CARBONARA



Spaghetti Carbonara image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 25m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

Kosher salt
12 ounces spaghetti
6 slices thick-cut bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup grated parmesan cheese (about 4 ounces), plus more for topping
Freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs. Reserve 1/4 cup cooking water, then drain the pasta.
  • Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 8 minutes. Add the spaghetti and reserved pasta cooking water to the skillet and toss to combine.
  • Add the eggs, parmesan, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper; toss to coat. Cook, tossing continuously to avoid scrambling the eggs, until the sauce is creamy, about 1 minute. Stir in the parsley. Serve topped with more parmesan.

AMERICAN PASTA CARBONARA



American Pasta Carbonara image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 7

8 ounces dry spinach fettuccine
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 ounces finely chopped bacon
1 clove minced garlic
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup grated sharp white cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, salt, add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until "al dente."
  • Meanwhile, heat olive oil in skillet. Add bacon and saute for about 5 minutes or until it has rendered its fat and bits are crisp. Add garlic and saute for few seconds. Remove skillet from the heat, over and set aside until pasta is done.
  • Whisk eggs and cheese together and season to taste with salt and pepper. When pasta is done, drain well and return to pot, off heat. Thoroughly combine with bacon, garlic and oil. Stirring pasta continuously with a long wooden pasta fork, slowly pour in the egg mixture. Continue to stir, over low heat, until the eggs thicken into a sauce. Remove from the heat immediately or eggs will curdle. (If you are concerned eggs are not cooked enough, continue to cook until they form soft curds; it won't look pretty but it will taste delicious.)

SPAGHETTI CARBONARA



Spaghetti Carbonara image

A homemade sauce tops spaghetti in this classic recipe featuring peas and bacon.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 35m

Yield 5 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

8 ounces uncooked spaghetti
1 tablespoon cornstarch
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup half-and-half cream
3/4 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup frozen peas
8 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
Additional Parmesan cheese, optional

Steps:

  • Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the cornstarch, eggs and cream until smooth; set aside. , In a large skillet, saute onion in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Gradually stir into egg mixture. Add peas to hot skillet; cook and stir for 1 minute or until heated through. Pour egg mixture into skillet all at once, stirring constantly. , Cook and stir over medium-low heat until mixture is just thick enough to coat the back of a metal spoon with a thin film and a thermometer reads 160°, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat., Drain spaghetti; toss with sauce. Sprinkle with bacon, cheese, salt and pepper; toss again. Serve immediately with additional cheese if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 474 calories, Fat 22g fat (9g saturated fat), Cholesterol 209mg cholesterol, Sodium 658mg sodium, Carbohydrate 44g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 21g protein.

SPAGHETTI ALLA CARBONARA



Spaghetti Alla Carbonara image

Provided by Rick Marin

Categories     dinner, easy, quick, weekday, pastas, main course

Time 20m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 pound spaghetti
1/2 pound pancetta, diced
1 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, plus additional cheese for grating
4 large eggs, separated
Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta, and cook until al dente, about 7 to 9 minutes.
  • Just before the pasta is cooked, fry the pancetta in a large skillet until it is crisp and golden brown, 5 to 6 minutes. Drain the pasta well, reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking water. Carefully pour it into the skillet, then add the pasta, and heat, shaking the pan, for 1 minute. Add the grated cheese, the egg whites and pepper, and toss until they are fully incorporated.
  • Divide the pasta among 4 heated serving bowls, and make a nest in the center of each. Gently drop an egg yolk into each nest, season with additional black pepper, and grate additional cheese on top. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 845, UnsaturatedFat 20 grams, Carbohydrate 87 grams, Fat 39 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 35 grams, SaturatedFat 15 grams, Sodium 635 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams, TransFat 0 grams

SPAGHETTI ALLA CARBONARA TRADIZIONALI



Spaghetti Alla Carbonara Tradizionali image

Unlike a lot of recipes out there for spaghetti carbonara, this is the true Italian recipe from an Italian! You can't get more authentic than this recipe! Top with extra Pecorino-Romano cheese, salt, and pepper. Note there's no cream, just eggs, and Pecorino Romano cheese is used, not Parmesan.

Provided by Andry008

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 27m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 (14 ounce) package spaghetti
5 ounces guanciale (cured pork cheek), cut into small cubes
3 egg yolks
1 egg
¾ cup grated Pecorino-Romano cheese
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Drain.
  • Heat a skillet over medium heat; cook and stir guanciale until crisp, 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Whisk egg yolks and egg together in a bowl; add Pecorino-Romano cheese, salt, and pepper and whisk well. Stir in guanciale. Add spaghetti and toss until evenly coated.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 487.7 calories, Carbohydrate 74.8 g, Cholesterol 212.8 mg, Fat 10.8 g, Fiber 3.2 g, Protein 20.7 g, SaturatedFat 3.4 g, Sodium 333.8 mg, Sugar 2.8 g

SPAGHETTI ALLA CARBONARA



Spaghetti Alla Carbonara image

"This is a swift and yummy recipe that I received from a dear friend," Roni Goodell says about her fast-to-fix brunch dish. "My family asks for it often," adds the Spanish Fork, Utah cook.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 30m

Yield 3-4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 package (7 ounces) thin spaghetti
10 bacon strips, diced
1/3 cup butter, cubed
2 eggs, lightly beaten
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp; drain on paper towels. Add butter to drippings; heat until melted., Drain spaghetti; toss with eggs and cheese. Add to skillet; cook and stir over medium heat for 3-4 minutes or until eggs are set. Sprinkle with bacon.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 515 calories, Fat 31g fat (16g saturated fat), Cholesterol 172mg cholesterol, Sodium 721mg sodium, Carbohydrate 38g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 21g protein.

SPAGHETTI ALLA CARBONARA: THE TRADITIONAL ITALIAN RECIPE



Spaghetti alla Carbonara: the Traditional Italian Recipe image

This dish was created in the Lazio region (the area around Rome) in the middle of the 20th century, after World War Two. We don't use cream, milk, garlic, onions or other strange ingredients; we use only guanciale, eggs, pecorino cheese, and lots of black pepper (carbonaro is the Italian for coal miner). This isn't the Italian-American version, it's the real, creamy carbonara and it comes right from Italy, where I live. Buon appetito.

Provided by ivan zeta

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 30m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 pound guanciale (cured pork cheek), diced
1 (16 ounce) package spaghetti
3 eggs
10 tablespoons grated Pecorino Romano cheese, divided
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; add guanciale (see Cook's Note). Cook, turning occasionally, until evenly browned and crispy, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and drain on paper towels.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite, about 9 minutes. Drain and return to the pot. Let cool, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.
  • Whisk eggs, half of the Pecorino Romano cheese, and some black pepper in a bowl until smooth and creamy. Pour egg mixture over pasta, stirring quickly, until creamy and slightly cooled. Stir in guanciale. Top with remaining Pecorino Romano cheese and more black pepper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 763.7 calories, Carbohydrate 85.1 g, Cholesterol 199.8 mg, Fat 28.4 g, Fiber 3.6 g, Protein 39 g, SaturatedFat 10.1 g, Sodium 1181.6 mg, Sugar 3.4 g

SPAGHETTI CARBONARA FOR TWO



Spaghetti Carbonara for Two image

When the temperature drops in Shawnee, Kansas, Melanie Hudson warms up with a comforting Italian classic. "As a zippy side or light entree, you simply can't beat it for simplicity," she notes. Serve with a tossed green salad.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 20m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 7

4 ounces uncooked spaghetti
2 bacon strips, diced
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Dash salt and pepper

Steps:

  • Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a small skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove to paper towels; discard drippings. , In the same skillet, melt butter; stir in the cream, Parmesan cheese, pepper flakes, salt, pepper and bacon. Drain spaghetti; add to cream mixture and toss. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until heated through.

Nutrition Facts :

SPAGHETTI CARBONARA I



Spaghetti Carbonara I image

This is a favorite supper dish that's quick and easy to make. I double it for our family of 4 growing boys. We serve it all up and then add on the goodies that are left in the bottom of the bowl - there's always bacon and eggs left down there.

Provided by Marian Collins

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta     Spaghetti Recipes

Time 20m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 pound spaghetti
1 pound bacon, chopped
4 eggs, well beaten
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
¼ cup olive oil

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
  • Meanwhile, place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, reserving some of the drippings, crumble and set aside.
  • Scramble eggs in bacon drippings.
  • Place spaghetti in a large bowl. Pour in olive oil, and mix well; use enough to just moisten spaghetti. Stir in bacon, eggs, and Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 600.5 calories, Carbohydrate 57.7 g, Cholesterol 163.2 mg, Fat 27.7 g, Fiber 2.4 g, Protein 28.4 g, SaturatedFat 8.2 g, Sodium 832.1 mg, Sugar 2.4 g

QUICK SPAGHETTI CARBONARA



Quick Spaghetti Carbonara image

This is a wonderful tomato-less spaghetti which still has tons of flavor. The bacon has such a savory flavor which will make your family ask for seconds.-Janaan Cunningham, Greendale, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 20m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 package (8 ounces) spaghetti
1 garlic clove, minced
3 tablespoons butter
1 egg, lightly beaten
8 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute garlic in butter over medium heat for 1 minute. Reduce heat to low; add egg. cook and stir until egg mixture coats a metal spoon and reaches 160° (mixture will look like a soft frothy egg). , Drain spaghetti and place in a bowl. Pour sauce over and sprinkle with bacon; toss gently to coat. Gently stir in cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 401 calories, Fat 18g fat (9g saturated fat), Cholesterol 91mg cholesterol, Sodium 402mg sodium, Carbohydrate 43g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 15g protein.

TEST KITCHEN'S FAVORITE SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS



Test Kitchen's Favorite Spaghetti and Meatballs image

Swapping out some of the ground beef for chopped mushrooms is the secret behind the complex flavor of these meatballs. A quick blast in the broiler gives them a nice crust -- and the noncrisp parts soak up the delicious sauce.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Beef Recipes     Ground Beef Recipes

Time 1h10m

Number Of Ingredients 17

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 cups finely chopped onion (from 1 large)
Kosher salt
2 tablespoons minced garlic (4 to 5 cloves)
1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes, plus more for serving
2 cans (each 28 ounces) whole peeled tomatoes in juice, pureed in a blender or food processor
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
1 pound cremini mushrooms, finely chopped
1/2 cup dried breadcrumbs
1/4 cup whole milk
1/3 cup finely grated Pecorino Romano (1 ounce), plus more for serving
1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, plus more for serving
1 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh oregano
1 large egg, lightly beaten
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
3/4 pound ground beef (85 percent lean), preferably grass-fed
1 pound spaghetti, spaghettini, or bucatini

Steps:

  • Red Sauce: Heat a straight-sided skillet over medium. Swirl in oil; add onion and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is soft and translucent, 7 to 9 minutes. Stir in garlic and red-pepper flakes; cook 30 seconds. Transfer one-third of onion mixture to a bowl and reserve for meatballs. Add tomatoes to skillet; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until reduced and thickened slightly, about 20 minutes.
  • Meatballs: While sauce simmers, heat a large skillet over medium-high. Swirl in oil. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and most of moisture has evaporated, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to bowl with reserved onion mixture; let cool slightly.
  • Preheat broiler with rack 4 inches below heating element. Stir breadcrumbs and milk into mushroom mixture until milk is absorbed. Add cheese, parsley, oregano, egg, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add beef and gently fold with your hands until evenly combined (don't overwork, or meatballs will be tough). Use an ice cream scoop, or roll heaping tablespoons between dampened palms, to form thirty 1 1/2-inch balls. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet brushed with oil. Broil, undisturbed, until browned on top, about 5 minutes.
  • Transfer meatballs to skillet with red sauce. Simmer, stirring gently, until just cooked through, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, boil pasta in a large pot of generously salted water until al dente, about 2 minutes less than per package instructions. Drain pasta and return to pot; toss with 1 1/2 cups sauce. Serve, topped with meatballs, more sauce, cheese, red-pepper flakes, and parsley.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients, especially the eggs, cheese, and pancetta. Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make a big difference in the final dish.
  • Cook the pancetta until it is crispy. This will add a lot of flavor to the dish.
  • Don't overcook the eggs. You want them to be cooked through but still creamy.
  • Add the cheese to the eggs and pancetta while they are still hot. This will help the cheese melt and create a creamy sauce.
  • Season the dish with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Serve immediately with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.
  • Enjoy your delicious spaghetti carbonara!

Conclusion:

Spaghetti carbonara is a classic Italian dish that is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a delicious and satisfying meal that your family and friends will love. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner, give spaghetti carbonara a try. You won't be disappointed.

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