Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp. Kosher Salt, plus more
  • 4 oz. Guanciale, (salt-cured pork jowl)
  • 4 oz. Pancetta, (Italian bacon)
  • 4 oz. Bacon
  • 2 oz. Parmesan Cheese
  • 4 large Eggs, yolks
  • 2 large Eggs
  • Freshly ground Black Pepper
  • 2 tbsp. extra-virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 lb. Spaghetti Pasta
  • 1 lb. Bucatini Pasta
  • 1 lb. Rigatoni Pasta
Instructions

  1. Heat 6 qt. water in a large pot over high. When water starts to steam add 3 tbsp. salt and cover pot with a lid (this will bring water to a boil faster)
  2. While you are waiting for the water to build, cut 4 oz. guanciale into 1" x ¼" strips, and grate 2 oz parmesan cheese and set aside one-quarter of cheese for later.
  3. Whisk 4 eggs yolks and 2 whole eggs in a medium bowl until no streams remain then stir in remaining cheese. Add several cranks of pepper and set aside.
  4. Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium. Add guanciale and cook, stirring occasionally, until crips around the edges, 7-10 minutes.
  5. Remove pot from heat. Using a wooden spoon fish out guanciale and transfer into a small bowl. Pour fat into a heatproof measuring cup, then add back about 3 Tbsp. to pot. Discard remaining fat.
  6. Cook 1 lb. pasta in boiling water, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes shy of package instructions. Just before pasta is finished, scoop out 1¾ cups pasta cooking liquid with the same heatproof measuring cup.
  7. Add 1 cup reserved pasta cooking liquid to Dutch oven and bring to boil over medium-high. Drain pasta into a colander, then transfer to Dutch oven.
  8. Cook pasta, stirring constantly and vigorously until al dente and water is reduced by about half, about 2 minutes. Remove pot from heat.
  9. Remove ¼ cup pasta cooking liquid into reserved egg mixture, then very slowly stream into dutch oven, stirring constantly, until cheese is melted and egg is thickened to form a glossy sauce. Season with salt if needed. Thin sauce with remaining ½ cup pasta cooking liquid, adding a tablespoon at a time until it’s the consistency of heavy cream.
  10. Mix guanciale and serve. Top with pepper and reserved cheese.