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Simple Pasta Carbonara

This simple pasta carbonara is an indulgent yet easy recipe that’s on the table in 20 minutes. Simple and delicious and so easy to make at home.

Simple Pasta Carbonara

Pasta carbonara is a meal I make when I don’t feel like going to the grocery store, because it uses ingredients I always have on hand. I love that this recipe from NYT Cooking is easy to throw together and tastes decadent without using cream & butter. I adapted their recipe a bit by using bacon instead of guanciale and I used only parmesan because I had no pecorino. The silky carbonara sauce is created when the beaten eggs are mixed with the freshly grated parmesan cheese and then tossed with the hot pasta and a little fat from the bacon. I recently whipped up this simple pasta carbonara for lunch and it paired nicely with a spinach salad.

Simple Pasta Carbonara

How to Make Simple Pasta Carbonara

Cook the bacon bits in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the fat has rendered and the bacon is crispy & browned, about 5-7 minutes.  Remove the bacon to a paper towel to drain the grease. Remove all but 1 tablespoon of bacon fat from the skillet.

Whisk together the egg, egg yolk, freshly grated parmesan cheese, sea salt, and freshly cracked pepper, to taste in a small bowl until well combined; set aside until needed.

Meanwhile, cook the pasta in well-salted boiling water, per package instructions until al dente; drain making sure to reserve 1 cup of the cooking water.

Add the drained pasta to the large skillet over low heat and stir for a minute or two. Whisk in the egg/cheese mixture, adding some reserved pasta water as needed for creaminess. Toss the pasta with the sauce for 2 minutes, until creamy. Add the bacon pieces and toss to mix evenly.

Pour the pasta carbonara into a warm serving bowl and top with freshly grated parmesan and lots of freshly cracked black pepper. Serve immediately and enjoy.  Side Note: This pasta is best when served in warm bowls! Fill serving bowls with boiling hot water and set aside until needed. Drain & dry right before serving.

Simple Pasta Carbonara

Simple Pasta Carbonara

Simple Pasta Carbonara

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Course: Main
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 2
Author: Adapted by Pam - For the Love of Cooking / Original by NYT Cooking

Ingredients

  • 4 slices of bacon, cut into pieces
  • 1 large egg PLUS 1 egg yolk, well-whisked
  • 1 oz parmesan cheese, freshly grated (about 1/3 cup packed), plus more for serving
  • Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
  • 6 oz spaghetti noodles **Make sure to reserve 1 cup of the cooking water

Instructions

  • Cook the bacon bits in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the fat has rendered and the bacon is crispy & browned, about 5-7 minutes.  Remove the bacon to a paper towel to drain the grease.
  • Remove all but 1 tablespoon of bacon fat from the skillet; set aside until needed.
  • Whisk together the egg, egg yolk, freshly grated parmesan cheese, sea salt, and freshly cracked pepper, to taste in a small bowl until well combined; set aside until needed. 
  • Meanwhile, cook the pasta in well-salted boiling water in a large pot, per package instructions until al dente; drain making sure to reserve 1 cup of the cooking water. 
  • Add the drained pasta to the large skillet over medium-low heat and stir for a minute or two.
  • Whisk in the egg/cheese mixture, adding some reserved pasta water as needed for creaminess. Toss the pasta with the sauce for 2 minutes, until creamy. Add the bacon pieces and toss to mix evenly. Taste and add sea salt, if needed.
  • Pour the pasta carbonara into a warm serving bowl and top with freshly grated parmesan and lots of freshly cracked black pepper. Serve immediately and enjoy.  Side Note: This pasta is best when served in warm bowls! Fill serving bowls with boiling hot water and set aside until needed. Drain & dry right before serving.
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3 Comments

  1. I don’t think I’ve eaten pasta carbonara but Bev has and has said that we should make it. Maybe your good looking version will inspire me.