Description
Silky creamy bacon carbonara emerges as a classic Italian pasta dish celebrating rich flavors from Rome. Crispy pancetta, eggs, parmesan, and black pepper combine to create a luxurious meal you’ll savor with pure culinary delight.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz (340 g) spaghetti or fettuccine
- 8 oz (225 g) bacon, diced
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ cup pasta water
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a rolling boil. Cook pasta until perfectly al dente, reserving 1/4 cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining.
- Bacon Transformation: Render bacon in a skillet over medium heat until achieving golden, crisp perfection. Remove bacon pieces, retaining a tablespoon of rich, flavorful drippings in the pan.
- Sauce Alchemy: Whisk together eggs, Parmesan, and cream to create a luxurious sauce base. Incorporate freshly ground black pepper and a whisper of salt to elevate the flavor profile.
- Flavor Infusion: Sauté minced garlic in the residual bacon fat for 60 seconds, releasing its aromatic essence. Toss cooked pasta in the skillet, ensuring complete and even coating.
- Creamy Integration: Reduce heat and gently pour egg mixture over pasta, continuously stirring to prevent scrambling. Slowly incorporate reserved pasta water to achieve a silky, glossy texture.
- Final Flourish: Fold crispy bacon pieces throughout the creamy pasta, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors. Transfer to serving plates and garnish with additional Parmesan shavings, fresh parsley, and a final crack of black pepper. Serve immediately to maintain the dish’s optimal temperature and creamy consistency.
Notes
- Prevent Egg Scrambling: Maintain low heat and constantly stir when adding egg mixture to avoid creating scrambled eggs, ensuring a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Pasta Water Magic: Reserve starchy pasta water as a secret weapon to adjust sauce consistency, helping it cling perfectly to noodles without becoming dry or clumpy.
- Bacon Crispness Control: Cook bacon until golden but not burnt, removing it from the pan before it turns bitter, preserving its rich flavor and ideal crunchy texture.
- Temperature Timing: Serve carbonara immediately after preparation to experience the optimal blend of warm, silky sauce and crisp bacon, preventing sauce from becoming heavy or congealing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 700
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg