The Hearty and Delicious Carbonara

One of the most famous and popular Italian pasta dishes, carbonara is a classic favourite all over the world. As a dish created from simple ingredients such as bacon, egg and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, it is packed with flavour and creates a hearty meal that is sure to satisfy.

History of Carbonara

The origin of carbonara is hotly debated, but most Italians agree that the dish emerged in around 1950, as it is rarely found in pre-20th century literature. It is likely it was created in Rome, although others suggest it derives from the Lazio region. One plausible story says that the name is a nod to the charcoal workers of the area, who would have used bacon and eggs as an easy, cheap and protein-filled meal. The cheese would have been added to increase the flavour of the dish, as well as providing more sustenance. This version of carbonara heavily differs from Eggs Benedict, which is also considered to be an Italian inspired dish.

Ingredients and Preparation

Making carbonara is surprisingly easy if you have the right ingredients. The dish is made from pancetta or guanciale, eggs, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and black pepper. As with any home-cooked Italian dish, only the finest Italian ingredients are used for the best flavour.

To cook, the pancetta or guanciale is diced and fried until it turns golden and crispy, then the egg and Parmigiano Reggiano are combined in a separate bowl and seasoned with black pepper. Once the pasta has been cooked al dente, it is drained directly into the pan with the fried bacon, and then the egg and cheese mix is added. The heat from the pasta cooks the egg and creates a creamy sauce, which helps to coat the pasta. If the dish is too dry, extra olive oil or Parmigiano are added. The pasta is then served immediately, as the residual heat is enough to finish cooking the egg.

Popularity

The comforting and indulgent taste of carbonara has seen it become a favourite in many Italian restaurants, and it often features on Italian menu’s everywhere. As such a simple dish, it is also a go-to recipe for busy cooks and can be adapted to suit individual taste preferences.

No matter where you are in the world, carbonara is sure to bring a little bit of Italian flavor and comfort to the table. The perfect combination of creamy, salty and smoky, it is a delightfully complex yet incredibly easy to make pasta dish.