Pasta Carbonara Recipe

This easy Pasta Carbonara comes together in about 30 minutes and is the perfect weeknight dinner! Packed with crispy bacon and mixed with the creamiest carbonara sauce, this recipe is a total knockout.

Pasta carbonara is one of those simple dinners we should all know how to make. It’s the perfect go-to for a busy weeknight, and it’s also a dish fit for the weekend or even to serve to guests.

It seems like one of those dinners with so few ingredients that how could you possibly mess it up, but oh how you can if you aren’t using with the right method. I’m no expert on carbonara, which is why I turned to Cook’s Illustrated, they are the kitchen geniuses.

This recipe works so well because pasta is boiled in less water with to really concentrate the starches, which will help bind everything in the sauce and prevent separation when you add it to the egg mixture.

Another helpful tip is that the bacon is simmered in water first. Bacon seems easy to burn or can cook unevenly in a skillet, and pieces stick. But when going this route and cooking it in water first, it works like a charm.

And lastly this recipe contains the perfect ratio of eggs and yolks (or one yolk in this case) to have the perfect carbonara, custard-rich flavor and the perfect consistency.

Recipe originally lists Romano cheese, but I always have Parmesan on hand so I went with that to keep the simple weeknight meal idea here, but I’m sure Romano would also be delicious. Better yet, use half of each. Just be sure it’s freshly grated. Enjoy!

If you’ve never had homemade pasta carbonara before, you’re in for a real treat! Pasta carbonara typically features a creamy sauce that’s made with pancetta, garlic, pasta water, cheese and eggs. The egg-based sauce is cooked by combining it with the piping hot spaghetti pasta and a little of the cooking water.

For this easy carbonara recipe, I used bacon instead of pancetta since it’s generally easier to find. But otherwise this is a pretty authentic carbonara recipe!

Pasta Carbonara

This easy Pasta Carbonara comes together in about 30 minutes and is the perfect weeknight dinner. It’s an Italian recipe the whole family will love!

Prep: 15min

Total: 35min

Yield: 6

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 414 kcal, Carbohydrate 58 g, Protein 21 g, Fat 10 g, Saturated Fat 4 g, Cholesterol 132 mg, Sodium 761 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 2 g, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 10 slices bacon (, cut into 1/2-inch pieces)
• 8 1/2 cups water (, divided)
• 4 cloves garlic (, minced)
• 1 lb spaghetti (or linguine)
• 1 1/4 cups finely grated parmesan cheese (, plus more for serving (2 oz))
• 3 large eggs
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 tsp each salt and pepper (, or to taste)
• Chopped fresh parsley (, for garnish)

Instruction:

1. Add bacon and 1/2 cup of the water to a large non-stick skillet and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.
2. Allow to simmer until water evaporates about 6 – 7 minutes, then reduce heat to medium-low and continue to cook until bacon is brown and crisp, about 6 – 8 minutes longer.
3. Place a fine mesh strainer over a bowl then pour bacon into strainer while reserving about 1 tsp of the rendered fat in pan. Return pan to heat and saute garlic about 30 seconds, until fragrant and lightly golden.
4. Pour into a medium mixing bowl then add 1 Tbsp rendered bacon fat (drippings in bowl set under strainer) to mixing bowl with garlic. Add eggs, egg yolk, parmesan and pepper to garlic mixture and whisk until well combined.
5. Meanwhile, bring 8 cups of water to a boil in a large dutch oven (no more than 8 cups because you want a very starchy water for the sauce). Add spaghetti and salt to boiling water and cook until al dente. While pasta is boiling, set a colander in a large bowl.
6. Carefully drain al dente pasta into colander in bowl, while reserving pasta water in bowl. Measure out 1 cup hot pasta water and discard remaining water. Immediately place pasta in now empty large bowl.
7. Slowly pour and whisk 1/2 cup pasta water into egg mixture, then slowly pour mixture over pasta while tossing to coat. Add bacon and toss to combine. Season with salt if desired.
8. Let pasta rest, tossing frequently, 2 – 4 minutes until sauce has thickened slightly and coats pasta. Thin with remaining 1/2 cup hot pasta water as needed. Serve immediately topped with additional parmesan and parsley.

Easy Spaghetti Carbonara

When you’re craving a comfort food, nothing will cure you like creamy spaghetti carbonara. Here’s everything to remember when making our easy recipe.

Prep: 35min

Total: 35min

Yield: 4 serving(s)

Nutrition Facts: calories 792 Calories, Fat 41 g, Saturated Fat 16 g, Trans Fat 0 g, Cholesterol 203 mg, Sodium 956 mg, Carbohydrate 64 g, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 3 g, Protein 37 g

Ingredients:

• Kosher salt
• 12 oz. spaghetti
• 3 large eggs
• 1 c. freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
• 8 slices bacon
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Extra-virgin olive oil (optional), for serving
• Flaky sea salt (optional), for garnish
• Freshly chopped parsley, for garnish

Instruction:

1. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk eggs and Parmesan until combined.
3. Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy, about 8 minutes. Reserve fat in skillet and transfer slices to a paper towel–lined plate to drain. Break into bite-size pieces.
4. Add garlic to skillet and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add cooked pasta and toss until fully coated in bacon fat. Remove from heat. Pour over egg-and-cheese mixture and stir vigorously until creamy (being careful not to scramble eggs). Add pasta water a few tablespoons at a time to loosen sauce.
5. Season generously with salt and pepper and stir in cooked bacon.
6. Drizzle with oil and garnish with flaky sea salt (if using), Parmesan, and parsley before serving.

Easy Carbonara in 15 Minutes

FAQ

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