Brown Butter Parmesan Carbonara
Chef Ryan
2
10 minutes
20 minutes
Pasta
Main Course
This brown butter Parmesan carbonara takes the classic Roman pasta carbonara and gives it a nutty, toasty upgrade. Crispy guanciale, a silky egg yolk sauce, sharp Pecorino Romano and Spiceology Brown Butter Parmesan Seasoning come together in one pan, no cream required. Master the off-heat toss once and this creamy rigatoni carbonara becomes a 30-minute dinner you'll make on repeat.

Ingredients
Pasta and Pork
- 10 oz rigatoni (about 280 g)
- 1 Tbsp kosher salt, for the pasta water
- 6 oz guanciale (or pancetta or thick-cut bacon), cut into ¼-inch lardons
Egg and Cheese Mixture
- 1 large egg
- 5 large egg yolks
- ½ cup finely grated Pecorino Romano
- 1 Tbsp Spiceology Brown Butter Parmesan Seasoning
- 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper (10 to 12 cranks)
To Finish
- 2 Tbsp finely grated Pecorino Romano
- Spiceology Brown Butter Parmesan Seasoning, to dust
- freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Directions
Render the Guanciale
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the salt. Go lighter than usual; the guanciale, Pecorino and seasoning all bring salt.
- While the water heats, add the guanciale to a large, cold skillet and set it over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, 10 to 12 minutes, until the fat has rendered and the pieces are golden and crisp.
- Lift the crispy guanciale onto a paper towel–lined plate with a slotted spoon. Pour the rendered fat into a small heatproof bowl and set the skillet aside off the heat.
Make the Egg Mixture
- In a medium bowl, whisk the egg, egg yolks, ½ cup Pecorino Romano, Spiceology Brown Butter Parmesan Seasoning and black pepper into a thick paste.
- Slowly whisk in 2 Tbsp of the warm rendered fat. Set aside.
Cook the Pasta
- Cook the rigatoni until al dente, 1 minute shy of the package time. Before draining, scoop out 1 cup of the pasta water.
- Whisk ¼ cup of the hot pasta water into the egg mixture, a little at a time, to temper it.
- Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet with 1 Tbsp of the remaining rendered fat. Toss over medium heat for 30 seconds to coat.
Bring it Together
- Take the skillet off the heat and let it sit for 1 minute. Pour in the egg mixture and toss constantly, adding pasta water 1 to 2 Tbsp at a time, until the sauce turns glossy and clings to the rigatoni, 1 to 2 minutes.
- If the sauce is still runny, return the skillet to low heat for 15 to 20 seconds at a time, tossing the whole time, until it thickens. If it tightens up or looks dry, loosen it with more pasta water.
- Divide between two warm bowls right away. Top with the crispy guanciale, 2 Tbsp Pecorino Romano, a dusting of Spiceology Brown Butter Parmesan Seasoning and a few cranks of black pepper.
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