Description
Classic Bacon Carbonara Pasta is a quick and easy Italian-inspired dish featuring al dente spaghetti tossed in a creamy egg and Parmesan sauce, with crispy thick-cut bacon adding a smoky, savory flavor. This recipe delivers rich, comforting flavors in under 30 minutes, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces spaghetti or pasta of your choice
Bacon and Sauce
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
- 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- Salt to taste
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente, according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and then drain the pasta.
- Prepare the Bacon: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy. Remove the bacon and set it aside on a paper towel-lined plate. Leave about 2 tablespoons of the rendered bacon fat in the skillet.
- Whisk the Sauce: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, Parmesan cheese, and black pepper. Set aside.
- Combine Pasta and Bacon: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the bacon fat. Toss to coat the pasta evenly.
- Make the Sauce: Turn off the heat and quickly pour the egg mixture over the pasta. Stir vigorously to coat the pasta and create a creamy sauce. Add reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
- Add Bacon and Serve: Stir the crispy bacon pieces back into the pasta. Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan and black pepper if desired.
Notes
- Ensure the eggs are at room temperature to prevent scrambling when combined with hot pasta.
- Add pasta water slowly to control the sauce’s consistency.
- Use thick-cut bacon for better texture and flavor.
- Do not turn the heat back on after adding the egg mixture to avoid curdling the sauce.
- For a garlic flavor, optionally sauté minced garlic with the bacon.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg
