Chef John's Spaghetti alla Carbonara

Ingredients

• 4 ounces guanciale , cut into 1/4-inch cubes
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper , or to taste
• 2 eggs
• 3 tablespoons grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• 3 tablespoons grated Pecorino Romano cheese
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper , or to taste
• 6 ounces spaghetti
• 1 cup reserved pasta water
• 3 tablespoons grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• 3 tablespoons grated Pecorino Romano cheese

Instructions

1. 1

   Cook guanciale with olive oil and 1 teaspoon ground black pepper in a Dutch oven over medium-low heat until almost crisp, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low.

2. 2

   Whisk eggs, 3 tablespoons Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, 3 tablespoons Pecorino Romano cheese, and 1 teaspoon ground black pepper in a bowl. Set aside.

3. 3

   Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water.

4. 4

   Pour reserved pasta water and drained spaghetti into the bacon-pepper mixture; stir to combine.

5. 5

   Slowly pour egg mixture into the pasta mixture; cook, stirring constantly until the egg mixture forms a thick sauce, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat.

6. 6

   Stir remaining 3 tablespoons Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and 3 tablespoons Pecorino Romano cheese into the pasta mixture and serve.