Craving something creamy, comforting, and ready in minutes? This Quick & Tasty Carbonara Recipe gives you that classic Italian flavor without the fuss. No heavy cream, no complicated steps—just simple ingredients and rich, silky goodness. Perfect for lunch, dinner, or whenever you need a satisfying meal fast.
🧀 Ingredients (Serves 2–3)
8 oz (225 g) spaghetti or fettuccine
2 large eggs
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano
4–6 oz pancetta or bacon, diced
2 cloves garlic, smashed (optional)
Salt & black pepper
Reserved pasta water
🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Cook the pasta
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
Cook pasta until al dente.
Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
2️⃣ Cook the pancetta
In a large pan, cook the pancetta or bacon on medium heat until crispy.
Remove garlic cloves if used (they’re just for flavor).
3️⃣ Make the egg mixture
In a bowl, whisk together:
2 eggs
Grated cheese
A generous amount of black pepper
Set aside.
4️⃣ Combine everything
Add the hot pasta to the pan with the pancetta.
Turn off the heat to avoid scrambling the eggs.
Quickly pour in the egg-cheese mixture and toss vigorously.
Add splashes of hot pasta water until the sauce becomes silky and creamy.
5️⃣ Serve immediately
Top with more cheese and freshly cracked black pepper.
⭐ Tips for Perfect Carbonara
No cream needed! The creaminess comes from eggs + cheese + pasta water.
Work fast—this prevents the eggs from scrambling.
Use Pecorino Romano for a sharper, richer flavor.
Freshly cracked black pepper is essential to the dish’s aroma.
Add peas, mushrooms, or spinach if you want a twist (not traditional, but delicious!).
🍽 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ready in 15 minutes
Uses simple, affordable ingredients
Creamy, comforting, authentic flavor
Perfect for busy weeknights