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Creamy No-Fail Pasta Carbonara Recipe with Bacon and Eggs

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A quick and easy pasta carbonara recipe featuring crispy bacon, eggs, and Parmesan cheese for a creamy, comforting meal perfect for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340 g) spaghetti or linguine
  • 6 oz (170 g) thick-cut bacon
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (100 g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • Salt, for pasta water and seasoning
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • ½ cup (120 ml) reserved pasta water

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add about 1 tbsp of salt to the water—it should taste like the sea. Cook the pasta according to package instructions (usually 8-10 minutes for al dente). Reserve ½ cup (120 ml) of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, cut bacon into small pieces or strips. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add bacon and cook until just crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside on paper towels to drain excess fat.
  3. Optional: Add minced garlic to bacon fat and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  4. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs and grated Parmesan cheese. Add a generous pinch of freshly cracked black pepper and whisk until smooth and creamy.
  5. Drain the pasta quickly and add it straight to the skillet with bacon fat (remove garlic if used). Toss the pasta in the fat over low heat for about 1-2 minutes to infuse flavor.
  6. Remove the skillet from heat. Immediately pour the egg-cheese mixture over the pasta and quickly toss with tongs or a fork to coat. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time, tossing continuously until the sauce becomes silky and clings to the pasta. Avoid heat to prevent scrambling the eggs.
  7. Mix in the crispy bacon pieces. Taste and add salt or more black pepper if needed.
  8. Serve immediately, topped with extra Parmesan and black pepper.

Notes

Use room temperature eggs to avoid scrambling. Whisk eggs and cheese off heat and toss quickly with hot pasta using reserved pasta water to create a silky sauce. Cook bacon until crisp but not burnt. If sauce is too thick, add more pasta water by tablespoon. Reheat leftovers gently with a splash of water or broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta carbonara, bacon pasta, creamy pasta, easy dinner, quick pasta recipe, weeknight meal, comfort food

Find it online: https://gleamgulp.com/creamy-no-fail-pasta-carbonara-recipe-with-bacon-and-eggs-easy-step-by-step-guide/