Description
Savor Italy’s classic “Creamy Bacon Carbonara” with silky pasta embracing crisp pancetta in a luxurious sauce. Delightful comfort meets culinary tradition, promising pure satisfaction for pasta enthusiasts seeking authentic Roman flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) spaghetti or fettuccine
- 8 ounces (225 grams) bacon, diced
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1 large egg
Cream and Seasoning Ingredients:
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Garnish Ingredients:
- ¼ cup pasta water
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare a generously salted water bath in a large pot, submerging pasta until it reaches perfect al dente texture. Carefully extract 1/4 cup of starchy liquid before draining.
- Transform bacon into crispy golden morsels using a skillet over medium flame. Extract the crunchy pieces with a perforated utensil, preserving a tablespoon of rendered fat in the pan.
- Craft a silky sauce by whisking egg components, grated Parmesan, and cream into a luxurious emulsion. Season with freshly cracked pepper and a subtle salt accent.
- Infuse the residual bacon fat with minced garlic, releasing its aromatic essence for approximately 60 seconds. Introduce cooked pasta to the skillet, ensuring complete coating.
- Lower the heat and delicately stream the egg mixture over the pasta, continuously agitating to prevent curdling. Integrate reserved pasta water incrementally to achieve a velvety consistency.
- Reintegrate the crispy bacon fragments, thoroughly melding them throughout the creamy pasta landscape.
- Transfer the carbonara into serving vessels, embellishing with additional Parmesan shavings, verdant parsley snippets, and an extra pepper grind for heightened sensory delight. Serve immediately to preserve optimal temperature and texture.
Notes
- Prevent Scrambled Eggs by slowly tempering the egg mixture with hot pasta, stirring constantly to create a smooth, silky sauce without curdling.
- Use Room Temperature Eggs to help them blend more easily and reduce the risk of scrambling when mixed with hot pasta.
- Opt for High-Quality Bacon like thick-cut or pancetta for maximum flavor and crispy texture that elevates the entire dish.
- Create a Gluten-Free Version by substituting regular pasta with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta alternatives for those with dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 676
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 743 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 63 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 201 mg