Creamy Pasta Carbonara

Ingredients

• water (for boiling pasta; salt well until it tastes like the ocean)
• 1 cup Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese (freshly grated using a fine grater)
• 1 egg (whole)
• 3 egg yolks
• 2 cloves garlic (minced or pressed)
• 0.25 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper (freshly cracked)
• 12 oz thick cut bacon (diced; can substitute with guanciale or pancetta)
• 12 oz spaghetti (dry)
• parsley (for garnish)
• flaked sea salt (for garnish)

Steps

1. 1

   Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Salt the water generously until it tastes like the ocean.

2. 2

   While the water is heating, grate 1 cup (84g) of Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese using a fine grater. Place the cheese into a medium bowl.

3. 3

   To the bowl of cheese, add 1 whole egg and 3 egg yolks.

4. 4

   Add 2 minced or pressed garlic cloves, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of freshly cracked black pepper to the egg and cheese mixture. Whisk until well combined and set aside.

5. 5

   Dice 12 ounces (340g) of thick-cut bacon into small pieces.

6. 6

   Place the bacon in a large pan over medium heat. Cook until the fat renders out and the bacon becomes nice and crispy. No oil is necessary as the bacon fat will provide the cooking medium.

7. 7

   Once the water is boiling, add 12 ounces of spaghetti. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente.

8. 8

   Remove the crispy bacon from the pan and transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

9. 9

   Before draining the pasta, reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water.

10. 10

    Drain the pasta and transfer it to a large mixing bowl while it is still steaming hot.

11. 11

    Whisk 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water into the egg and cheese mixture.

12. 12

    Pour the egg mixture over the hot pasta and add the crispy bacon. Toss everything together vigorously. The residual heat from the pasta will cook the eggs and melt the cheese into a creamy sauce.

13. 13

    If the sauce appears too dry or thick, add additional reserved pasta water one tablespoon at a time while mixing until the desired silky consistency is reached.

14. 14

    Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and flaked sea salt if desired.

Notes

For the best results, use freshly grated cheese rather than pre-grated varieties, as the latter often contain anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting. If you prefer a more traditional flavor, use guanciale or pancetta instead of bacon.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• pasta
• carbonara
• Italian
• dinner
• bacon
• quick meal