Spaghetti Carbonara for Two (No Cream)

This creamy spaghetti carbonara for two requires no cream and can be made in 15 minutes or less! It's a great classic pasta dish for a date night in or a simple, quick meal for lunch or dinner.

Pasta dishes are our go-to date night dinner ideas. One of our all-time favorite pasta is definitely this spaghetti carbonara for two, and we've been making this since back when we first met in culinary school!

Not only is this carbonara for two super easy to make, it only needs 4 ingredients, plus salt and pepper, and takes less than 15 minutes. More time for you to enjoy each other's company and less time in the kitchen. Win-win!

Oh, but don't forget to finish the night with a decadent dessert! Our top recommendations definitely goes to this flourless chocolate soufflé for two and Japanese jiggly soufflé pancakes.

What does carbonara taste like?

Spaghetti carbonara is a rich, creamy pasta dish that's naturally seasoned by the cured pork, cheese, and black pepper. It should be silky and balanced. And to the contrary, it does not taste like eggs at all!

Ingredients to make spaghetti carbonara for two

Carbonara is a simple dish that's meant to be made quick and easy. It essentially only requires 4 main ingredients, along with salt and black pepper.

• Spaghetti - This is the most popular pasta choice for making carbonara. Hence the other common name, spaghetti alla carbonara. However, you can use another other pasta of your choice.
  • Other pastas used are linguine, fettuccini, bucatini, and rigatoni.

• Pancetta - Aka Italian cured pork belly, one of the tradition cured meat used in carbonara, along with guanciale (cured pork jowl/cheek). You could also use thick cut bacon for a more accessible option.

• Pecorino Romano - Depending on what flavors you prefer, you could also use Parmigiano Reggiano (parmesan).
  • Pecorino Romano is a crumblier cheese made of sheep's milk. It's also a bit saltier and tangier.
  • Parmigiano Reggiano is a softer, milder cheese made with cow's milk. It's less salty and has a slight nutty flavor.

• Eggs - Traditionally, whole eggs are used so that there's less waste. Our recipe also uses whole eggs, and it produced a carbonara just as creamy. For a richer carbonara, you could use egg yolks only or whole eggs with additional egg yolks.

• Salt and pepper - The salt is for seasoning the pasta water. Freshly cracked black pepper is highly recommend to help balance out the rich, creamy pasta.

How to make spaghetti carbonara for two

Spaghetti carbonara is incredibly easy to make. Only 4 ingredients are needed (plus salt and pepper) and takes 15 minutes or less!

To cook the pasta:

1. In a pot of boiling water, add salt to season. We recommend ½ to 1 tablespoons of Kosher salt for every 2 quarts of water.

2. Add ½ pound of spaghetti (or your choice of pasta) to the boiling water and cook until al-dente.

To make the carbonara sauce:

1. While the pasta is boiling, add the diced pancetta to a large pan over low heat. Cook until rendered and the cured pork is darker, richer in color and golden brown, about 5 to 8 minutes.

2. As the pancetta is slowly rendering, combine the eggs, grated pecorino romano, and cracked black pepper in a bowl. Mix until everything is well combined. Set aside.

3. Once the pasta is cooked to al-dente, add it straight into the rendered pancetta, along with ½ cup of pasta water.

4. Keep the pan on low and give the pasta and pancetta a couple of mixes with a pair of tongs.

5. Add the egg and cheese mixture and keep mixing and tossing the pasta until the carbonara sauce becomes thickened and creamy, about 3 to 5 minutes. Make sure to keep the heat on low to prevent scrambling your eggs and just keep mixing. The sauce will get thicker and creamy.

6. Once the carbonara has become creamy, portion into two servings. Make sure to spoon on any sauce left in the pan.

7. Garnish the spaghetti carbonara with more grated pecorino romano and cracked black pepper. Enjoy!

Recipe tips

• Avoid pre-grated parmesan - Don't ruin your perfect creamy carbonara with pre-grated cheese. Those cheeses use anti-caking ingredients that could turn your silky, creamy carbonara sauce into thick, clunky goop. Instead, buy a fresh wedge of cheese and grate it yourself. It'll only take a minute or two!

• Use freshly cracked black pepper - Believe it or not, freshly cracked black pepper helps to balance out a creamy carbonara so that you can eat more than a bite! It gives the pasta a mild spice and helps cut some of the fattiness.

• Keep everything on low heat - Besides boiling the pasta, it is crucial for the rest of this recipe to be cooked on low heat (play with medium low on electric stove tops). Pancetta cooked on low heat helps render it the best without burning. The carbonara sauce on low heat will keep it from scrambling the eggs.

• Use pasta water - After the pasta is done cooking, reserve ½ cup of the pasta water. This water has natural starch. It will help thicken the carbonara sauce and prevent the egg and cheese mixture from scrambling/curdling.

Serving spaghetti carbonara

When serving spaghetti carbonara, you can twirl the pasta with tongs to give the pasta a more elevated look. Also, grate more cheese on top and finish the dish a couple cracks of fresh black pepper.

Spaghetti carbonara is a great dish to make on a date night for two. You can serve the carbonara by itself or with a bottle of white wine, like chardonnay, riesling, or pinot grigio. But really, any wine you love will do. We sometimes even pair ours with a red wine.

Reheating leftover carbonara

Although nothing can compare to freshly made carbonara, you reheat leftover spaghetti carbonara.

1. Place a small amount of oil or butter in a pan over low heat.

2. Once the butter has melted, add the carbonara and 1 to 2 tablespoons of water. If reheating a large amount, add a couple tablespoons at time until reheated.

3. Keep the pasta moving on the pan to prevent scrambling.

4. Serve immediately once the pasta is thoroughly reheated and creamy.

FAQ

If you’ve made this recipe or any recipe from our blog, please tag us on Instagram @two_plaid_aprons! We would love to see your creations! It absolutely makes our day! 🥰