Description
Creamy classic Italian carbonara with bacon delights pasta enthusiasts seeking authentic Roman cuisine. Simple ingredients blend seamlessly to create a rich, satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) spaghetti
- 4 ounces (115 grams) bacon, diced
Cheese and Eggs:
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (plus more for pasta water)
- 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
Instructions
- Heat a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook spaghetti until perfectly tender, maintaining a slight bite. Set aside 1/2 cup of starchy pasta water before draining.
- Render bacon pieces in a skillet over medium heat until golden and crisp, allowing fat to develop rich flavor. If desired, briefly sauté minced garlic for an aromatic enhancement.
- Create a silky sauce base by whisking eggs with finely grated Parmesan, freshly cracked black pepper, and a pinch of salt until smooth and well-integrated.
- Transfer drained pasta directly into the bacon-filled skillet, then immediately remove from heat to prevent egg scrambling.
- Pour egg mixture over hot pasta, swiftly tossing and coating each strand, allowing residual heat to gently cook eggs into a luxurious, glossy sauce. Gradually incorporate reserved pasta water to achieve a velvety, clingy consistency.
- Plate the carbonara immediately, finishing with an elegant dusting of additional Parmesan and a generous sprinkle of black pepper for maximum flavor impact.
Notes
- Always use room temperature eggs to prevent scrambling and ensure a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Select high-quality Pecorino Romano or Parmigiano-Reggiano for authentic Italian flavor depth.
- Reserve pasta water before draining to help create the perfect silky sauce consistency.
- Work quickly when mixing eggs to prevent accidentally creating scrambled eggs instead of a smooth sauce.
- For a lighter version, swap bacon with pancetta or turkey bacon to reduce fat content.
- Keep heat low when combining eggs to prevent curdling and maintain a luxurious, glossy texture.
- Avoid adding cream, as traditional carbonara relies on egg yolks and cheese for its signature richness.
- For gluten-free option, substitute spaghetti with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta varieties.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 553 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 490 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg