Sam's Birth Day Spaghetti Carbonara

Celebrate life’s special moments with “Sam’s Birth Day Spaghetti Carbonara,” a luxurious twist on the classic Italian favorite. This creamy, silky pasta dish combines perfectly al dente spaghetti with crispy pancetta or guanciale and a rich, velvety sauce made from eggs and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Enhanced with a hint of black pepper and a touch of optional garlic, this recipe brings authentic Italian flavors to your plate in just 35 minutes. A splash of reserved pasta water ensures the sauce achieves its signature luscious texture. Perfect for birthday celebrations or any special occasion, this crowd-pleaser serves up to four and pairs beautifully with a side of garlic bread or fresh green salad. Dive into this comforting and elegant dish that’s as festive as it is indulgent!

Nutriscore Rating: 59/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 grams spaghetti
• 150 grams pancetta or guanciale
• 4 large eggs
• 100 grams Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 clove garlic (optional)
• 120 milliliters reserved pasta water

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions, until al dente. Reserve 120 milliliters (1/2 cup) of the pasta water before draining.

Step 2

While the spaghetti cooks, dice the pancetta or guanciale into small cubes. Finely grate the Parmesan cheese. If using garlic, mince it finely.

Step 3

In a medium bowl, beat the eggs and mix in grated Parmesan cheese. Add a pinch of black pepper to taste. Set aside.

Step 4

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. If using garlic, sauté it for 30 seconds until fragrant, then remove it from the skillet.

Step 5

Add the diced pancetta or guanciale to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crispy and golden. Set the skillet aside on low heat.

Step 6

Quickly transfer the hot, drained spaghetti into the skillet with the pancetta, tossing to coat the pasta in the rendered fat.

Step 7

Remove the skillet from the heat entirely to prevent scrambling the eggs. Gradually pour the egg-and-cheese mixture onto the pasta while tossing vigorously with tongs or two forks.

Step 8

Add the reserved pasta water a splash at a time to loosen the sauce until it reaches your desired creaminess.

Step 9

Season with additional black pepper and adjust salt if necessary (the pancetta and Parmesan are salty, so taste before adding more).

Step 10

Divide the Spaghetti Carbonara onto plates or a serving dish. Garnish with extra grated Parmesan and black pepper, if desired.

Step 11

Serve immediately and enjoy the celebration!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(997.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2043.1

Total Fat 120.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 48.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 937.9mg	0%
Sodium 5544.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 131.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 7.8g	0%
Total Sugars 4.4g
Protein 102.1g	0%

Vitamin D 164IU	0%
Calcium 1078.9mg	0%
Iron 11.7mg	0%
Potassium 802.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 53.8%

Protein: 20.2%

Carbs: 26.1%