Description
Classic Bacon Carbonara Pasta is a quick and easy Italian-inspired dish featuring al dente spaghetti tossed in a creamy sauce made from eggs, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, crispy thick-cut bacon, and aromatics. This comforting meal comes together in under 30 minutes and balances smoky, savory, and peppery flavors perfect for a weeknight dinner or casual gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Meat
- 12 ounces spaghetti or pasta of your choice
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
Sauce
- 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, typically about 9-11 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Cook the Bacon: While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped thick-cut bacon and cook until crispy and browned, about 6-8 minutes. Remove excess bacon fat if desired, leaving some for flavor.
- Sauté Garlic (Optional): Add minced garlic to the skillet with bacon and sauté briefly for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Prepare the Carbonara Sauce: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and freshly cracked black pepper until well combined.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Immediately after draining the pasta, add it to the skillet with bacon and garlic over low heat. Remove the skillet from direct heat and quickly pour the egg and cheese mixture over the hot pasta, tossing vigorously. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce and achieve a creamy texture without scrambling the eggs.
- Season and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and additional black pepper if needed. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese on the side if desired.
Notes
- Use room temperature eggs to help create a smooth sauce that won’t scramble when mixed with hot pasta.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency and help it cling to the noodles.
- Be sure to toss the pasta off the heat to avoid cooking the eggs into scrambled bits.
- Thick-cut bacon adds a hearty texture and rich flavor; pancetta is a traditional substitute.
- Freshly cracked black pepper is essential to authentic carbonara flavor.
Keywords: Bacon Carbonara, Classic Carbonara, Easy Pasta Recipe, Quick Dinner, Italian Pasta, Spaghetti Carbonara