April 6 marks Carbonara Day, a global celebration dedicated to one of Italy’s most iconic pasta dishes. The 2026 edition is especially meaningful, as the event reaches its 10th anniversary, confirming its status as a worldwide food phenomenon followed by millions of people online and beyond.
Originally launched in 2017 by Unione Italiana Food and the International Pasta Organization, the initiative was created to protect the traditional recipe and promote authentic Italian cuisine. Over time, it has grown into a social media sensation, reaching more than 1.7 billion users and generating over 2 million posts.
Carbonara continues to dominate Italian preferences. According to a 2026 survey of 1,004 people, it is the favorite pasta dish for 46.1% of Italians, while 92.6% say they enjoy it overall. Its appeal is driven mainly by taste (63.9%), but also by its cultural value and simplicity.
Beyond flavor, the dish represents shared experiences. About 36.3% associate it with meals among friends, while 30.4% link it to family traditions. Another 19% see it as a personal comfort food.
In the ranking of the three most popular pasta dishes, carbonara leads with 46% of preferences, surpassing even spaghetti with clams and pasta with meat sauce. Following on the list of Italians’ favorite recipes are amatriciana, pasta with tomato and basil, and pasta with pesto. Also included are orecchiette with turnip greens, cacio e pepe, penne all’arrabbiata, and pasta alla Norma.
Despite its popularity, tradition still matters. The most criticized mistake remains adding cream, rejected by 34.9% of Italians. Other common errors include overcooking the eggs (33.7%) or using ingredients like garlic or onions (31%).
Deeply tied to Rome for 94.3% of Italians, carbonara is more than a recipe – it is a cultural symbol that continues to unite people around the world.
