One of the most accepted versions involves American troops stationed in Rome. During the mid-20th century it’s said that they created the carbonara using the rationed ingredients they’d been dealt. They combined these rationed ingredients with Italian traditions that already existed to create the carbonara. They then travelled back to America where they shared the recipe. 

Another theory is taken from the etymology of the word itself, deriving from carbonaro - the Italian word for charcoal burner. Some believe that the carbonara was made for Italian charcoal workers, as a filling dish to devour between shifts. Some areas of America even refer to the meal as “coal miner’s spaghetti”.

Whichever version of history you choose to believe, the dish will always be synonymous with traditional Roman cuisine. At Scarpetta, we keep things authentic. Which means we prepare our carbonara just like the Romans have done from the start.

But what makes an authentic carbonara?

Traditional Italian ingredients are at the heart of everything we make in our London kitchens. That means we never stray from classic recipes. Especially when they’re as perfect as the Roman carbonara.

A classic carbonara is always made using eggs, guanciale, pecorino and black pepper. A simple set of ingredients that never fail to excite our taste buds.

Cook our signature Roman carbonara in just 5 minutes

When we designed our pasta meal kits, we knew we had to include the carbonara. Not only is it a classic dish, but it’s also loved in our restaurants.

Each meal kit contains the carbonara sauce, fresh rigatoni pasta and pecorino cheese to garnish. We use rigatoni pasta instead of spaghetti because it takes on the sauce beautifully, meaning that every bite is packed full of that signature sauce.

In each pasta kit you’ll get a simple set of instructions to help you cook your dish to perfection. To show you how easy it really is, here’s how to prepare our carbonara.

1. Heat the guanciale in a frying pan for around 4 minutes until crispy, then remove from the heat
2. Boil 2 litres of water and add 2 tablespoons of salt
3. Toss the rigatoni into the water and cook for 4 minutes
4. Reserve half a cup of starchy water
5. Toss your pasta into the frying pan off the heat
6. Add the sauce to the pan, plus 2 tablespoons of that starchy water, and mix until it’s creamy
7. And you’re done! Simply garnish with the pecorino cheese and black pepper included in your box.

Order your carbonara now

It’s so easy to make restaurant-quality food at home with our meal kits. Our customers love that it takes just 5 minutes to make something they can serve to guests, for their family, or for an indulgent night in on the sofa.

Find the carbonara here - and click through to the shop to see what else is on the menu, ready to deliver to your door. Order before 1pm Monday - Friday and you’ll get it the very next day. Buon appetito!