Jul 09 2026
RestaurantsLos PortalesSpaghetti Carbonara Recipe

Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe

Inspired by Los Portales
Time30m
Serves4

Classic Italian pasta with creamy sauce, bacon, and cheese.

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Ingredients

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Pasta

Sauce

Bacon

Garnish

Method

Cooking Pasta

  1. 1

    Boil Water

    In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil.

  2. 2

    Cook Spaghetti

    Add the spaghetti to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes.

  3. 3

    Reserve Pasta Water

    Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water.

  4. 4

    Drain Pasta

    Drain the spaghetti and set aside.

Preparing the Sauce

  1. 5

    Whisk Eggs

    In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, grated Parmesan cheese, and black pepper until well combined.

  2. 6

    Adjust Consistency

    Add a little reserved pasta water to the egg mixture to help create a creamy sauce.

Cooking Bacon

  1. 7

    Cook Pancetta

    In a large pan over medium heat, add the diced pancetta or guanciale and cook until crispy, about 5-7 minutes.

  2. 8

    Combine with Pasta

    Add the drained spaghetti to the pan with the crispy bacon and toss to combine.

Combining Ingredients

  1. 9

    Add Sauce

    Remove the pan from heat and quickly pour the egg mixture over the pasta, tossing continuously to create a creamy sauce. Add more reserved pasta water if needed to reach desired consistency.

  2. 10

    Season

    Taste and season with salt and additional black pepper as needed.

Serving

  1. 11

    Plate the Dish

    Serve the spaghetti carbonara immediately, garnished with freshly chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired.

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