Ingredients

The following ingredients have 8 Servings
  • 4 quarts water
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 pound spaghetti (bucatini, or linguine)
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 5 ounces pancetta (bacon, or guanciale, cut into ½-inch thick pieces)
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (parmigiano-reggiano, or pecorino romano, plus more for garnish)
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper (plus more for garnish)

Instruction

  • In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add the salt, then stir to dissolve. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 10 to 12 minutes. Meanwhile, as the pasta cooks, prepare the pancetta or bacon. Make sure to reserve the hot pasta water to use later for making the sauce.
  • Heat a large pan over medium heat. Add olive oil. Once hot, carefully add the pancetta. Saute until crispy, stirring every minute, about 6 to 7 minutes. Turn off the heat, reserving 3 to 4 tablespoons of grease in the pan. Set aside until pasta is ready.
  • Add the hot pasta straight from the boiling water into the pan. Keep the pot of pasta water on the stove, it will be used to cook the sauce.
  • In a large metal mixing bowl, whisk the eggs, egg yolks, parmesan cheese, and black pepper to combine. Add the hot pasta mixture to the bowl with the egg mixture and toss to combine until noodles are coated with the sauce.
  • Gradually add a ½ cup of hot pasta water to the noodles. Stir constantly to combine until a lightly thickened sauce is created that coats the pasta.
  • Bring the water to a boil. Place the bowl of pasta over the pot, making sure that the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water. Discard some water as needed.
  • Constantly toss and stir the pasta until the sauce thickens, is smooth, and coats the spaghetti, about 3 to 5 minutes. Make sure to stir and incorporate the sauce on the bottom of the bowl, so it does not curdle. If desired, gradually add more water for a thinner sauce—season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Serve immediately topped with parsley, parmesan cheese, and freshly cracked black pepper.