Homemade Pasta Carbonara with Bacon
This tested and perfected classic pasta carbonara recipe is a winner! The best family-favorite dish with spaghetti, eggs, bacon and grated cheese can be served plain and simple, or jazzed-up with my suggested seasonings.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 ounces (225 g) thick-sliced bacon
- Kosher salt
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1 large whole egg
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
- ½ cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese plus more for serving
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 pound (450 g) dried spaghetti, bucatini or linguine pasta
- ¼ cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 (200 C) degrees and line a large tray with paper towels.
- Arrange the bacon on a rimmed baking sheet, or lay them on top of a rack that fits inside, for crispier bacon. Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping the pieces halfway through, until the bacon is deeply colored and crisp. Transfer to the tray to blot excess fat. Chop the bacon into small pieces.
- Whisk the egg yolks, whole egg, Parmesan and Pecorino cheeses, ¼ teaspoon salt and black pepper in a large mixing bowl. If you have a large pasta serving bowl, use that to mix and serve.
- Bring 4-5 quarts of water to a boil in a large saucepan or pot and add 1 tablespoon salt. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente (usually about 10 minutes.) Scoop out 3/4 cup of the cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Whisk ⅓ cup of the hot water into into the egg yolk mixture — this tempers the eggs so they won't scramble.
- Immediately dump the hot pasta into the bowl, then toss it all together quickly and thoroughly, using tongs or two spoons. You can add more water if the sauce seems dry. Sprinkle the bacon and parsley over the pasta and toss to combine. Serve right away, with additional grated cheese on the side.
Video
Notes
It's a must that you serve pasta carbonara as soon as it's done. For the same reason, pasta carbonara does not reheat well. Once it cools, the pasta soaks up all the egg sauce and the delectable creamy texture will be absorbed. But it still tastes good!
Variations:
- Carbonara sauce may be made with pasteurized eggs.
- Add a small grated garlic clove and a pinch of crushed red pepper to the eggs.
- Toss a tablespoon or two of soft butter to the pasta (it's not traditional but very delicious).
- Throw in 1 1/2 cups frozen peas to the pasta during the last 2 minutes of cooking.
- If you'd like to use pancetta instead of bacon, bake 1/2-inch cubes 5-10 minutes at 400 degrees until crisp.
Nutrition
Calories: 810kcalCarbohydrates: 94gProtein: 33gFat: 32gSodium: 586mgFiber: 7gSugar: 6g
