David Rossi’s Carbonara Recipe (Copycat) (2024)

by Jolina | Published: June 5, 2017 | Last Updated: January 9, 2019| 74 Comments
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Do you watch Criminal Minds? Then you’re in for a treat. This is based on David Rossi’s carbonara recipe!

(Do you love recipes based on books and movies? You will love this Treacle Tart – Harry Potter’s Favourite!)

David Rossi’s Carbonara Recipe (Copycat) (1)

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How do you make traditional carbonara sauce?

Are eggs in carbonara cooked?

Secret to creamy carbonara

Easy carbonara recipe

David Rossi’s Carbonara Recipe (Copycat)

Remember that episode where Rossi had the team over at his house and taught them how to cook carbonara (how geeky do I sound right now)?

I’ve always wanted to make that and after a significant amount of searching I found a recipe in a French fan page that they claimed was from Joe Mantegna himself (yes, I may have too much time on my hands).

I’ve since tweaked it here and there and it is fabulous! No cream, just eggs, pancetta and lotsa cheese. And guess what else? I cooked it! Not Red, me. (Ok, I may have had some help with chopping, slicing and such.)

It’s practically the only thing I can cook (insert: big proud smile right here). So let’s step into the world of BAU for a moment and bask in the deliciousness that is this carbonara.

How do you make traditional carbonara sauce?

I grew up eating creamy carbonara. And by that I mean carbonara made with cream. I only recently found out that this is very, very wrong.

Traditional carbonara has no drop of cream in it. So what makes it so creamy?

Are eggs in carbonara cooked?

David Rossi’s Carbonara Recipe (Copycat) (2)

Egg yolks (and not cream) are what make traditional carbonara dreamy and creamy.

You guys know I have raw egg issues (check out my Eggless Key Lime Pie and my Eggless Tiramisu) so I can understand your hesitation.

The first few times I made this I ended up scrambling the eggs; I was so eager to pour the eggs into the hot pan and let them sit a little to cook.

What I’ve found is the residual heat from the pasta/pan will cook them so have no fear.

And you shouldn’t let the egg mixture sit at all; you need to quickly toss the pasta so the egg mixture coats everything and doesn’t turn into a scrambled mess.

Secret to creamy carbonara

Also, don’t throw away the pasta water. I did the first time – I know, rookie mistake.

What you want to do is pour about a quarter cup into your pasta, continue mixing until you get the creaminess you want (not too much though, we don’t want it soupy).

Related: Sweet and Salty Filipino-Style Spaghetti

Easy carbonara recipe

David Rossi’s Carbonara Recipe (Copycat) (3)

Once you’ve done that you’ll have this amazing dish that’s so quick to prepare it’s perfect for those busy weeknights. It’s so good too it’s great for when you have company over.

Hope you give it a try, whether you’re a fan of Criminal Minds or not (this past season was weird TBH). It is awesome and hey, if I can cook it you absolutely most definitely can!

(And if you have leftover pancetta, you can make delicious pasta and peas or penne al baffo.)

Happy cooking!

Did you try David Rossi’s carbonara recipe? I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below.

David Rossi’s Carbonara Recipe (Copycat)

Author: Jolina

Are you a Criminal Minds fan? This is based on David Rossi’s carbonara recipe from that episode where he had the team over and gave them cooking lessons!

5 from 7 votes

Ingredients

▢ 1 lb pasta you can use your favourite pasta: spaghetti, fettuccine, linguine or bucatini
▢ ½ lb pancetta diced
▢ 1 cup chopped onions
▢ olive oil for frying
▢ ½ cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Parmesan cheese
▢ ½ cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
▢ 4 pcs egg yolks from large eggs
▢ salt and pepper to taste
▢ chopped parsley for serving

Instructions

▢
Cook 1 pound pasta until al dente. While that’s cooking, in a large pan on medium heat cook ½ pound diced pancetta and 1 cup chopped onions in olive oil until pancetta is browned and onions are soft.
▢
Combine your cheese then pour half of it with your 4 egg yolks. Beat lightly until combined.
▢
At this point your pasta and pancetta should be ready. Drain the pasta (reserve some of the pasta water) and transfer into your pan. Remove from heat.
▢
Pour your egg mixture into the pan and toss the pasta until coated. Pour about ¼ cup pasta water in your pan and continue tossing until you get the creaminess you want. If you need to put more pasta water, do so a little at a time so your pasta doesn’t get too runny.
▢
Add the rest of your cheese and toss some more. Season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve with chopped parsley.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 515kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 20gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 489mgPotassium: 297mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 125IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 211mgIron: 1.3mg

Nutritional information are estimates only.

Tried this recipe? Leave a star rating today!Also tag @iamtheunlikelybaker I’d love to see your creations.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

Lou
February 26, 2023 at 5:27 pm

So interesting I’ve been making a similar pasta dish only using whole eggs along with cheese bacon and black pepper. My son hated red sauce and I remembered a friend made this for us back in the early ‘70s. I rarely make red sauce ever since. It’s been our spaghetti go to since 1980.
Reply
- Jolina
  February 27, 2023 at 9:23 am
  
  Hi Lou! My mom would make something similar too but she never called it carbonara, just white spaghetti lol.
  Reply
MBernadine Hamilton
November 30, 2021 at 11:46 pm

3 questions, can I use just parmesan, cani substitute using mostarilla instead of Romano, can I use the whole egg
Reply
- Jolina
  December 01, 2021 at 4:28 pm
  
  Hi there. Yes, you can use all parmesan cheese instead of half parmesan, half pecorino romano. I have never used mozzarella and always just use egg yolks though, so I can’t say how those changes will affect the recipe.
  Reply
  - Holly
    December 30, 2022 at 10:31 pm
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    How is there no garlic!? are you gunna hunt me down like an unsub if I add some? Or really is Rossi gunna hunt you for not adding it to begin with!? lol , this looks freaking amazing and something I could actually pull off thank you for going through all the work to create it
    Reply
    - Jolina
      January 03, 2023 at 9:00 am
      
      Haha! No I don’t think either of us will get in trouble 🙂 Other carbonara recipes I’ve seen have no garlic either but if you like it, by all means make the recipe as awesome as you like.
      Reply
Alana Talley
May 01, 2020 at 10:27 pm

Hey if I were to add peas to this how much would I add
Reply
- Jolina
  May 07, 2020 at 9:00 am
  
  Hi! Haven’t tried it with peas so I don’t know. Maybe others have so hopefully you’ll get some feedback here.
  Reply
Kelly Bergeson
April 07, 2020 at 3:38 am

This looks yummy. I’m just wondering if you can make this a crockpot recipe. I need something that will last a few days. If you can, how would it be done.
Reply
- Jolina
  April 08, 2020 at 9:53 am
  
  Hi Kelly! I haven’t tried this in a crockpot so I can’t say for sure. I’m posting your question maybe other readers have tried and can give you insight.
  Reply
Didi
October 17, 2019 at 4:26 pm

I’m a big fan of criminal minds too and I know exactly the episode where they made this carbonara. While I’m not sure what that tasted like, this is DELICIOUS. And it’s nice to pretend david rossie was the one who made it for me!!! It’s one of my favorite weeknight meals. Thank you Jolina.
Reply
- Jolina
  October 17, 2019 at 4:54 pm
  
  Hello fellow fan! 🙂 You’re most welcome, happy to hear you liked it.
  Reply
Imgoog
July 24, 2017 at 5:31 am

Thank you for sharing the recipe! Gonna try it soon.
Reply
MEGAN MCDUFFIE
June 11, 2017 at 10:34 pm

Carbonara is one of our favorite weeknight meals. I’ve always made it with bacon, but using pancetta is a great idea! Looking forward to trying it out.
Reply
- Jolina
  June 17, 2017 at 11:37 pm
  
  Hi Megan! Pancetta is so flavourful, we didn’t even need to add any salt. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
  Reply
Jenny
June 11, 2017 at 4:58 pm

In our house, carbanora is the responsibility of my better half! I will pass this recipe on to him.. it looks delicious. Pure comfort food!
Reply
Julia
June 10, 2017 at 8:00 am

I used to watch Criminal Minds but then it got a little too twisted and violent for me and I stopped a few years ago. This pasta looks really good!
Reply
- Jolina
  June 17, 2017 at 11:39 pm
  
  I guess it’s not for everyone 🙂 I guess I’ve always secretly wanted to be a spy or an agent LOL. The carbonara is awesome though! Hope you try it!
  Reply
Elizabeth
June 07, 2017 at 3:12 pm

I love Carbonara and this looks like a great straight-forward recipe. Can’t wait to try it!
Reply
Supriya Kutty
June 07, 2017 at 6:26 am

This looks like a delicious carbonara recipe to try! I will make this weekend for dinner one night. Sounds and looks yummy!
Reply
Marielle Altenor
June 07, 2017 at 3:28 am

Oh yum! I’m only made carbonara once and that was years ago. I need to make this recipe! Looks soo delicious.
Reply
Robin
June 07, 2017 at 12:14 am

Simple and easy to make definitely another winner. The pancetta and cheese makes it so flavourful. I can’t wait to make this. Btw, good luck on your next cooking adventure:)
Reply
- Jolina
  June 07, 2017 at 10:57 pm
  
  Aw thanks Robin! You certainly can’t go wrong with cheese and pancetta eh? 🙂 Hope you’re having a fabulous week!
  Reply
Tami
June 06, 2017 at 8:04 pm

I don’t think I’ve ever eaten pancetta. I will definitely be making this dish this week for my family.
Reply
- Jolina
  June 06, 2017 at 9:44 pm
  
  Hi Tami! Pancetta is the Italian version of bacon and like bacon, it makes everything better! 🙂 Hope you guys like it.
  Reply

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David Rossi’s Carbonara Recipe (Copycat) (2024)

FAQs

What is the golden rule of cooking a carbonara? ›

Whisk Like You Mean It

You're using more egg yolks than whites here, which is what makes carbonara so rich and luxurious. But there's still two eggs-worth of whites in there. Whisking your eggs so that the whites are completely incorporated into the yolks will give your sauce a more uniform texture.

Tell Me More ›

Which ingredient should never be used in traditional carbonara? ›

What not to put in Spaghetti Carbonara? Don't put garlic, cream, milk or butter. It is not needed. It is fine if you want to make a dish with those ingredients, but if you want to learn how to make this dish correctly, use only pecorino, eggs/egg yolks, black pepper, guanciale, and pasta water.

Tell Me More ›

Why don t Italians use cream in carbonara? ›

Authentic Italian carbonara does not contain cream. The absence of cream in traditional carbonara is a matter of culinary tradition and the desire to preserve the simplicity and purity of the dish's flavors.

Discover More ›

Is Parmesan or Romano better for carbonara? ›

You want the cheese to be almost snow-like, which will allow the cheese to more easily emulsify into the sauce. I use about a 2:1 ratio of Pecorino Romano cheese to Parmesan cheese for this recipe, which in my opinion provides the most balance of saltiness to the final sauce.

Find Out More ›

Do Italians put cream in pasta carbonara? ›

The Italian version doesn't use cream or ham. It is made with pancetta (pork belly meat that is salt cured, also referred to as Italian bacon), Parmigiano Reggiano or pecorino romano cheese, eggs, and black pepper—called the basics.

Do you put raw egg in carbonara? ›

What distinguishes carbonara from other pasta dishes is its technique of combining eggs, hard cheese, cured pork, and black pepper into a rich, silky sauce. This recipe calls for raw eggs that are gently cooked by the hot sauce. If you prefer, you can use pasteurized eggs instead.

Why is garlic not allowed in carbonara? ›

Because carbonara is a codified recipe and its ingredients are guanciale, black pepper, egg yolks, grated pecorino (or a mixture of pecorino and Parmigiano Reggiano).

See Details ›

How to keep eggs from scrambling in carbonara? ›

Using a large mixing bowl and setting it over the boiling pasta water to create a makeshift double boiler helps prevent you from accidentally scrambling the eggs.

Get More Info Here ›

Does carbonara use whole eggs or just yolks? ›

Traditional carbonara sauce is made with whole eggs, not just the yolks. However, some recipes do call for just yolks. In the traditional recipe, the eggs are beaten together with grated Pecorino Romano cheese, black pepper, and sometimes a bit of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

Explore More ›

Why is carbonara so hard to make? ›

The carbonara sauce in pasta primarily consists of egg yolks. Achieving a smooth and creamy consistency is often the most challenging step. Since the raw egg yolks have to be mixed with the pasta, you have to make sure to add the egg yolks to the pasta OFF the heat so the eggs don't scramble.

Keep Reading ›

Why is Italian carbonara so yellow? ›

As the fat renders, he removes some of the molten liquid with a spoon. The lean part of the meat ultimately caramelises and becomes a sort of "popcorn guanciale": crunchy outside and tender inside. His carbonara is very yellow in colour since he only uses egg yolks – one per 60g of pasta.

Why not bacon in carbonara? ›

If you want your carbonara to be as authentic as possible, you should be using guanciale, not bacon or pancetta. Guanciale is cured pork cheek. It looks a little like bacon, but isn't smoked, so its flavor leans more towards pancetta. Rich, unctuous and packed with umami, guanciale is what real carbonara is made from.

Do I need pecorino cheese for carbonara? ›

If you're still not sure, here are some very good alternatives. For example, as an alternative to spaghetti you can also. Or replace the pecorino cheese or mix it with grated parmesan cheese. And finally, to make your carbonara even more creamier, there will be no need to add cream!

See Details ›

What type of cheese is best for carbonara? ›

Pecorino Romano: This aged sheep's cheese is always traditionally used in the Roman pastas, and its salty, grassy, earthy flavor is absolutely delicious in carbonara. That said, if Pecorino is unavailable at your local grocery store, you can use Parmesan as a non-traditional substitute.

Read On ›

Do I need pecorino for carbonara? ›

If you like or don't have pecorino cheese instaed you can use Parmigiano Reggiano.

Learn More Now ›

How do I stop my carbonara scrambling? ›

Using a large mixing bowl and setting it over the boiling pasta water to create a makeshift double boiler helps prevent you from accidentally scrambling the eggs.

David Rossi’s Carbonara Recipe (Copycat) (2024)

How do you make traditional carbonara sauce?

Are eggs in carbonara cooked?

Secret to creamy carbonara

Easy carbonara recipe

David Rossi’s Carbonara Recipe (Copycat)

Ingredients

Instructions

Video

Nutrition

More Lunch and Dinner Recipes

Reader Interactions

Comments

Leave a Reply

FAQs

What is the golden rule of cooking a carbonara? ›

Why is Italian carbonara so yellow? ›