Creamy Pasta Carbonara with Crispy Bacon and Parmesan Recipe
A classic Italian Pasta Carbonara recipe featuring crispy bacon, a silky egg and cheese sauce, and perfectly cooked spaghetti. Ready in just 20 minutes, this dish blends buttery bacon with Parmesan and Pecorino cheeses, flavored with a touch of garlic and black pepper for an irresistible creamy pasta experience.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 pound bacon, diced
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 3 large eggs, beaten
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Dice the bacon, grate the cheeses, beat the eggs, and have all ingredients measured and ready to go. Since this recipe cooks quickly, having everything prepped beforehand is essential.
- Cook Bacon and Garlic: Heat the butter over medium heat in a large heavy sauté pan. Add the diced bacon and whole garlic clove, frying until the bacon is crispy. Remove and discard the garlic once the bacon is cooked to infuse a subtle flavor.
- Boil Spaghetti: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti until al dente, approximately 9 to 10 minutes. Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water to adjust the sauce later if needed.
- Toss Pasta with Bacon: Add the drained spaghetti to the pan with the crispy bacon and butter. Toss well to coat the noodles evenly with the flavorful fat.
- Create the Sauce: Remove the pan from heat and stir in a pinch of black pepper. Quickly add the beaten eggs along with half of the Parmesan and Pecorino cheeses, stirring continuously until the eggs begin to set and form a creamy, silky coating on the pasta without curdling.
- Finish and Serve: Once the eggs have set to a creamy texture, sprinkle the remaining cheeses on top. Serve immediately for best taste and texture. Optionally, pair with a simple Italian salad dressed with balsamic vinegar.
- Adjust Sauce Consistency: If the pasta mixture feels sticky or thick, gradually add a few tablespoons of the reserved pasta water to loosen it and enhance silkiness. Note that the sauce will thicken and become sticky as it cools.
Notes
- Make sure to remove the garlic clove after frying to avoid overpowering the dish.
- Work quickly when adding eggs off the heat to prevent scrambling.
- Reserve pasta water for adjusting sauce consistency and creating a smooth texture.
- This dish is best served immediately; leftovers may become sticky as the sauce cools.
- Use freshly grated cheeses for optimum flavor and melt quality.
- Black pepper adds essential spice; adjust according to taste.
Keywords: Pasta Carbonara, Italian pasta, bacon pasta, creamy pasta, quick dinner, spaghetti recipe