Pasta Carbonara
Ingredients
- 2 ½ tbspunsalted butter
- ½ lbbacon
diced
- 1 clovegarlic
- 1 lbspaghetti
- 3 largeeggs
beaten
- ½ cgrated parmesan cheese
- ½ cgrated pecorino cheese
- black pepper
Directions
- 1
Prepare all of your ingredients - dice, measure, chop, stir, etc. (this recipe comes together quickly so it's important to plan ahead)
- 2
Heat butter over medium heat in a large heavy sauté pan, add the diced bacon and clove of garlic, and fry until crispy. Remove garlic.
- 3
While the bacon is frying, boil spaghetti in salted water until al dente, about 9-10 minutes. Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup pasta water just in case.
- 4
Add spaghetti to the pan of fried bacon and butter and mix well. Then, remove from stove and stir in a pinch of pepper, beaten eggs, and half of the parmesan and pecorino romano cheese until the eggs begin to set. (the eggs should heat through to cook but not curdle). Once eggs have set and created a nice silky coating on the noodle, sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top and serve immediately. This goes well with a simple Italian salad with balsamic vinegar.
- 5
If pasta seems sticky, add a few tablespoons of pasta water to help break it up. It will become sticky as it cools.
Pasta Carbonara
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About this Recipe
Craving a truly satisfying and rich classic Italian pasta dish that's surprisingly simple to make at home? This Pasta Carbonara recipe delivers authentic, comforting flavors without a fuss, making it perfect for any night of the week.
Why This Pasta Carbonara Works
The magic of this Carbonara lies in its simplicity and the perfect marriage of a few key ingredients: bacon, eggs, and a generous blend of Parmesan and Pecorino cheeses. These components come together to create an incredibly creamy, savory sauce that coats every strand of spaghetti beautifully, all without a drop of actual cream.
What to Expect
Prepare for a dish that is wonderfully rich and intensely flavorful. Each forkful of spaghetti is enveloped in a velvety, golden sauce, punctuated by savory, crispy pieces of diced bacon. The garlic adds a subtle aromatic depth, while the freshly ground black pepper provides a crucial, piquant counterpoint, balancing the richness of the eggs and cheeses. This dish is designed to be deeply satisfying and surprisingly quick to prepare, with a prep time of just 5 minutes and a cook time of 15 minutes, making it a fantastic dinner option even on busy evenings.
Customization & Variations
While this classic recipe is perfect as is, you can make a few tweaks to suit your pantry or preference. If you love a sharper flavor, feel free to adjust the ratio of Pecorino cheese to Parmesan. While spaghetti is traditional, other long pasta shapes could also be used. For an extra layer of richness, you might experiment with different types of diced bacon, though any good quality bacon will do.
Serving & Context
This Carbonara is a complete meal in itself, ideal for a cozy weeknight dinner or a comforting weekend treat. Serve it immediately after preparing to best enjoy its creamy texture and fresh flavors. A simple side salad with a bright vinaigrette would complement its richness wonderfully.