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Love spaghetti carbonara? Try these 6 dishes next

If you love spaghetti carbonara, order cacio e pepe next (97/100 flavor match), then lasagna and tonkotsu ramen. Spaghetti carbonara is rich and deeply savory, and these dishes share that profile.

Cacio e pepe: rich pasta, like spaghetti carbonara.

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Flavor profile

Rich
5 out of 5
Savory
5 out of 5
Spicy
0 out of 5
Tangy
0 out of 5
Sweet
0 out of 5
Fresh
0 out of 5
Smoky
1 out of 5
Crunch
1 out of 5

Italian · pasta

6 dishes to try if you love spaghetti carbonara

  1. Cacio e pepeRich pasta, like spaghetti carbonara.Italian · pasta
  2. LasagnaRich pasta, like spaghetti carbonara, but tangier.Italian American · pasta
  3. Tonkotsu ramenRich, like spaghetti carbonara.Japanese · noodle soup
  4. Ribeye steakRich, like spaghetti carbonara, but smokier.American · grilled dish
  5. Xiao long baoRich, like spaghetti carbonara.Chinese · dumpling
  6. CheeseburgerRich, like spaghetti carbonara, but tangier and smokier.American · handheld

Scores on this page compare editorial flavor profiles between dishes and are the same for everyone. They are not personal app match scores or ratings of a restaurant’s preparation. Recipes and menus vary. How these flavor scores work.

Spaghetti carbonara vs its closest matches

  • Spaghetti carbonara vs cacio e pepe

    97/100 flavor match

    Cacio e pepe is lighter (4 vs 5), less savory (4 vs 5), spicier (1 vs 0) and less smoky (0 vs 1) than spaghetti carbonara, and differs on 1 more trait. The two rate the same on tang, sweetness and freshness.

  • Spaghetti carbonara vs lasagna

    79/100 flavor match

    Lasagna is tangier (3 vs 0), less savory (4 vs 5), sweeter (1 vs 0) and fresher (1 vs 0) than spaghetti carbonara, and differs on 1 more trait. The two rate the same on richness, heat and crunch.

  • Spaghetti carbonara vs tonkotsu ramen

    74/100 flavor match

    Tonkotsu ramen is spicier (1 vs 0), sweeter (1 vs 0) and fresher (1 vs 0) than spaghetti carbonara. The two rate the same on richness, savoriness, tang, smoke and crunch.

Numbers are Palytt's editorial 0 to 5 trait ratings, written as the match first and the dish you love second.

How to order spaghetti carbonara

What it is

Carbonara is spaghetti or rigatoni tossed with egg yolk, pecorino, black pepper and crisp guanciale. There is no cream in the Roman version.

Ordering tip

Eat it right away; the sauce tightens as it cools.

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Good to know

What dishes are similar to spaghetti carbonara?

If you like spaghetti carbonara, try cacio e pepe, lasagna and tonkotsu ramen. Cacio e pepe is the closest flavor match (97/100): rich pasta, like spaghetti carbonara.

What does spaghetti carbonara taste like?

Carbonara is spaghetti or rigatoni tossed with egg yolk, pecorino, black pepper and crisp guanciale. There is no cream in the Roman version. Its strongest traits: rich, deeply savory.

What should I order if I want something like spaghetti carbonara but different?

Try lasagna: rich pasta, like spaghetti carbonara, but tangier. It scores 79/100 against spaghetti carbonara on flavor.

How is spaghetti carbonara different from cacio e pepe?

Cacio e pepe is lighter (4 vs 5), less savory (4 vs 5), spicier (1 vs 0) and less smoky (0 vs 1) than spaghetti carbonara, and differs on 1 more trait. The two rate the same on tang, sweetness and freshness. Ratings are 0 to 5, written as cacio e pepe vs spaghetti carbonara. Overall it scores 97/100 against spaghetti carbonara on flavor.

How are these food matches scored?

Each dish has a flavor profile rated 0 to 5 on richness, savoriness, heat, tang, sweetness, freshness, smoke and crunch. The match score compares two profiles and gives a small boost to dishes eaten the same way, like two noodle soups. In the Palytt app, your match score uses your own taste instead.

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