Pasta Carbonara for Two
This easy Pasta Carbonara for Two is a classic Italian comfort dish perfect for romantic date nights or cozy dinners. Silky spaghetti is tossed with crispy pancetta, creamy Parmesan, and a luscious egg sauce for a meal that feels indulgent yet comes together in under 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 oz dry spaghetti
- 2.5 oz pancetta, diced small (or guanciale or thick-cut bacon)
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (or Pecorino Romano)
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- Kosher salt, for seasoning pasta water and dish
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- Optional: extra Parmesan cheese, for serving
- Optional: chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add spaghetti and cook until just al dente, about 8-9 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, place diced pancetta in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring often, until fat renders and pancetta is crispy, about 5-6 minutes. Transfer pancetta to a plate, leaving about 1 tablespoon rendered fat in the pan.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, grated Parmesan, and black pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Return drained pasta to the skillet with pancetta fat (off heat). Add crispy pancetta and toss gently to coat strands.
- Pour egg-cheese mixture over hot pasta, tossing quickly with tongs to coat. Add reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until sauce is glossy and coats noodles evenly.
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately, topped with extra Parmesan and chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
Work off the heat when adding the egg mixture to avoid scrambling. Use freshly grated cheese for best texture. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. For gluten-free or vegetarian adaptations, see blog tips. Serve immediately for best results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 of recipe (about
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 950
- Fat: 32
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 62
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 28
Keywords: carbonara, pasta, date night, Italian, romantic dinner, easy, quick, spaghetti, pancetta, Parmesan, comfort food