Description
Rich and creamy classic Italian carbonara with bacon delivers authentic Roman flavors in minutes. Pasta enthusiasts discover a simple yet luxurious dish that celebrates traditional ingredients with bold simplicity.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) spaghetti or other pasta
Proteins:
- 4 ounces (113 grams) bacon or pancetta, diced
- 2 large eggs
- 1 large egg yolk
Seasonings and Additives:
- 1 cup (100 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil (optional)
- Salt (to taste)
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Fill a spacious pot with water, generously salt, and bring to a rolling boil. Cook spaghetti until perfectly tender yet firm, approximately 8-9 minutes.
- While pasta simmers, render bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until golden and crisp, developing rich, caramelized edges.
- Mince fresh garlic and briefly sauté in the bacon’s rendered fat, releasing its aromatic essence without browning.
- Separate one egg yolk, then whisk whole eggs and yolk together with finely grated Parmesan cheese until smooth and well-incorporated.
- Remove skillet from heat and immediately introduce hot drained pasta, tossing vigorously to coat with bacon and garlic infusion.
- Gradually stream egg mixture into pasta, continuously stirring to prevent scrambling and create a silky, luxurious sauce.
- Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency, adding splashes until achieving a glossy, clingy texture.
- Season generously with freshly cracked black pepper and minimal salt, considering bacon’s inherent saltiness.
- Transfer to warmed serving plates, garnishing with additional Parmesan shavings for an extra layer of savory complexity.
Notes
- Master the pasta water technique by saving a cup of starchy cooking liquid, which helps create a silky, smooth sauce that clings perfectly to spaghetti.
- Temper the eggs carefully by adding hot pasta gradually to prevent scrambling, ensuring a luxurious creamy texture without unwanted egg chunks.
- Use high-quality Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper for authentic flavor that elevates the classic carbonara experience.
- For a lighter version, swap bacon with pancetta or turkey bacon, and consider using whole wheat pasta to boost nutritional value while maintaining traditional taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 505 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg