Pasta Carbonara
A rich and creamy pasta dish with crispy bacon, perfect for family gatherings and special occasions.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 ounces Spaghetti or Linguine Use either spaghetti or linguine, both work well.
Sauce Ingredients
- 4 slices Bacon, chopped Cook until crispy for the best texture.
- 2 whole Eggs Make sure they are at room temperature.
- 1 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese Traditional cheese for Carbonara.
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced Add during bacon cooking for flavor.
- To taste Salt Adjust according to preference.
- To taste Pepper Freshly ground is best.
- As needed Fresh parsley (for garnish) Optional but adds freshness.
Instructions
Cooking the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti or linguine and cook until al dente, reserving about a cup of pasta water before draining.
Frying the Bacon
- In a skillet over medium heat, add chopped bacon and cook until crispy.
Embracing the Garlic
- Remove bacon and retain about two tablespoons of drippings. Add minced garlic to the skillet for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Whisking the Eggs and Cheese
- In a bowl, whisk together whole eggs and grated Parmesan cheese until well combined.
Mixing Pasta and Bacon
- Return drained pasta to the skillet and toss it in the bacon drippings, then add the crispy bacon back in.
Combining With Egg Mixture
- Remove skillet from heat and quickly pour the egg and cheese mixture over the pasta.
Perfecting the Creaminess
- Toss everything together and add reserved pasta water as needed to achieve desired creaminess.
Seasoning
- Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.
Serving
- Dish up your Pasta Carbonara and garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
For a lighter version, you can substitute bacon with pancetta or turkey bacon. Serve with a side of mixed green salad and garlic bread.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 70gProtein: 22gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 10gSodium: 800mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1g
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