Bucatini with Lemony Carbonara

A bright twist on classic carbonara, featuring bucatini pasta tossed with crispy guanciale, eggs, Parmesan, and fresh lemon. The citrus adds a refreshing note to this rich and creamy pasta dish.

4 servings
31 min

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 6 ounces guanciale (salt-cured pork jowl), pancetta (Italian bacon), or slab bacon, thinly sliced, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 2 whole shallots
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 12 ounces bucatini or other long-strand pasta
  • 1 to taste Kosher salt
  • 2 ounces Parmesan
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Heat oil in a large skillet over medium. Cook guanciale, tossing often, until browned and crisp, 6-8 minutes. Add shallots and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add pepper and cook, stirring often, just until fragrant, about 1 minute.

    14 min

  2. 2.

    Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 1/2 cups pasta cooking liquid.

    10 min

  3. 3.

    Add pasta to skillet along with 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid and 1 oz. Parmesan and toss to coat. Remove skillet from heat and add egg yolks. Toss again, adding more pasta cooking liquid as needed, until a smooth glossy sauce coats pasta. Add grated lemon zest, lemon juice, and another 1 oz. Parmesan. Toss to coat, adding more pasta cooking liquid if needed to loosen sauce.

    5 min

  4. 4.

    Divide pasta among bowls; top with sliced lemon zest and more Parmesan.

    2 min