Description
Pasta perfection comes alive in this classic Italian carbonara with bacon, where silky eggs embrace crisp pancetta in a dance of creamy indulgence. Simple Roman ingredients merge to create pure comfort that beckons you to savor each luxurious, pepper-kissed bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein and Pasta:
- 6 slices bacon (or pancetta), diced
- 12 ounces (340 grams) spaghetti
Eggs and Cheese:
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1 whole egg
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Optional Garnish:
- 2 garlic cloves, minced (optional)
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare a generously salted pot of water and cook the spaghetti until it reaches a perfect al dente texture, maintaining a slight firmness when bitten.
- While the pasta simmers, render the bacon in a spacious skillet, cooking it slowly until it develops a golden, crispy exterior and releases its rich, smoky essence.
- Craft a luxurious emulsion by vigorously whisking together egg yolks, a whole egg, and finely grated Parmesan cheese, introducing a robust twist of freshly cracked black pepper for depth of flavor.
- Once the pasta is cooked, transfer it directly into the skillet with the crisp bacon, then immediately remove the pan from the heat source to prevent egg scrambling.
- Execute a delicate technique by gradually streaming the egg mixture over the hot pasta, continuously tossing with swift, deliberate motions to ensure each strand becomes enrobed in a silky, glossy sauce.
- If the sauce appears too dense, incorporate small amounts of the reserved pasta water, creating a luscious, velvety consistency that clings seductively to the spaghetti.
- Present the carbonara immediately, optionally adorning with a sprinkle of finely chopped parsley for a touch of fresh, verdant color and subtle herbaceous note.
Notes
- Use room temperature eggs to prevent scrambling and ensure a smooth, silky sauce when mixing with hot pasta.
- Opt for high-quality Pecorino Romano or Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese for authentic Italian flavor and better melting consistency.
- For a lighter version, swap traditional bacon with pancetta or turkey bacon to reduce fat content while maintaining the classic carbonara taste.
- Create a gluten-free alternative by using zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising the dish’s creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 66g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 220mg