Recipe

Treat-Yo-Self Pasta Carbonara

by Tim Chin

In the throes of fatigue, laziness, or late-night inebriation, there are few better meals than pasta with eggs, cheese, and a little crispy pork. And in the wise words of Tom Haverford and Donna, it’s important to treat yo self. We took classic pasta carbonara and put our own decadent twist on it by incorporating our good-on-everything Runny Yolk Sauce, so it’s faster, easier, and richer for when you need it most. When stirred together, the Runny Yolk Sauce and starchy pasta water create a thick, emulsified, pasta-coating sauce.

Yield
Serves 1
Ingredients
60 g pancetta, cut into ¼-inch pieces
113 g spaghetti
50 g Runny Yolk Sauce, plus extra for serving
15 g Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
  Salt and pepper
2 ounces pancetta, cut into ¼-inch pieces
4 ounces spaghetti
¼ cup Runny Yolk Sauce, plus extra for serving
½ ounce Parmesan cheese, grated (¼ cup), plus extra for serving
  Salt and pepper
Instructions
    • 60 g pancetta, cut into ¼-inch pieces
    Add pancetta to cold 10-inch nonstick skillet and cook over medium heat until meat is browned and crispy and fat is rendered, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer pancetta to paper towel-lined plate and set aside.
    • 113 g spaghetti
    • 50 g Runny Yolk Sauce
    • 15 g Parmesan cheese, grated 
    • Salt and pepper
    Meanwhile, bring 2 quarts water to boil in large pot. Add pasta and 9 grams salt and cook, stirring often, until al dente. Reserve 100 grams cooking water, then drain pasta and return to empty pot. Stir in pancetta, Runny Yolk Sauce, 50 grams reserved cooking water, and Parmesan, and toss to thoroughly combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste and add reserved cooking water as needed to adjust consistency. Serve with extra Runny Yolk Sauce and Parmesan.  
Instructions
    • 2 ounces pancetta, cut into ¼-inch pieces
    Add pancetta to cold 10-inch nonstick skillet and cook over medium heat until meat is browned and crispy and fat is rendered, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer pancetta to paper towel-lined plate and set aside.
    • 4 ounces spaghetti
    • ¼ cup Runny Yolk Sauce
    • ½ ounce Parmesan cheese, grated (¼ cup)
    • Salt and pepper
    Meanwhile, bring 2 quarts water to boil in large pot. Add pasta and 1½ teaspoons salt and cook, stirring often, until al dente. Reserve ½ cup cooking water, then drain pasta and return to empty pot. Stir in pancetta, Runny Yolk Sauce, ¼ cup reserved cooking water and Parmesan, and toss to thoroughly combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste and add reserved cooking water as needed to adjust consistency. Serve with extra Runny Yolk Sauce and Parmesan.
Close

Cook’s Science Newsletter

Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to learn about new stories, get behind-the-scenes looks at our research and testing, and score exclusive recipes.

Welcome to the community!

Keep an eye on your inbox for the sauce recipes and for our regular newsletter. Thanks for joining us!