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5 from 4 votes
1 Comment

Spaghetti Carbonara

Total Time15 minutes minutes
Recipe
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By: Joanna Cismaru Posted: 04/05/20 Updated: 07/23/24

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Spaghetti Carbonara – My rendition of the traditional Italian pasta dish. The easiest pasta to make with just 5 ingredients! Ready in only 15 min, this carbonara is loaded with Parmesan cheese and savorous crisp bacon!

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • What is carbonara?
  • Ingredients
  • How to make spaghetti carbonara
  • How to stop your eggs from scrambling
  • How to serve
  • Storing leftover spaghetti carbonara
  • Did you like this pasta recipe? Try these!
  • Subscribe & receive a FREE Comfort Food Recipe Book!
  • Spaghetti Carbonara
  • Did you try this recipe?
spaghetti carbonara with a pair of tongs in a black skillet

Spaghetti Carbonara is a classic Italian dish that is as simple to make as it is to indulge in. There are four basic ingredients that go into a carbonara: pasta, cheese, eggs, and pork – today we are using my favourite, bacon.

Though this recipe requires few ingredients, that doesn’t deter the flavor in any way. A creamy and divine pasta dish that everyone should enjoy at least once in their lifetime.

What is carbonara?

Carbonara is a simple Italian pasta dish deriving all the way from Rome – made with egg, cheeses like Pecorino Romano, Parmigiano-Reggiano, or Grana Padano, cured pork like bacon or pancetta, and black pepper. The dish came to fruition in the middle of the 20th century and is still widely popular today.

overhead shot of ingredients needed for making spaghetti carbonara

Ingredients

Keep scrolling down to the printable recipe card for a list of FULL ingredient amounts and instructions or click the “Jump to Recipe” button at the top of the page!

  • Spaghetti – Packaged, uncooked.
  • Bacon – A must! Chopped.
  • Garlic – Fresh is always best, chopped.
  • Eggs – Large.
  • Cheese – Parmesan cheese, freshly grated.
  • Salt & Pepper – To taste.
  • Parsley – Fresh, chopped.
process shots showing how to make spaghetti carbonara

How to make spaghetti carbonara

  1. Cook Pasta – Cook the pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of water, then drain the rest.
  2. Make Egg Mixture – In a medium sized bowl, whisk the eggs and cheese together. Set aside.
  3. Cook Bacon – In a large skillet or Dutch oven cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until aromatic.
  4. Combine Ingredients – Add the cooked pasta to the Dutch oven and toss. Remove from heat and add the egg mixture to the pasta and toss well. Add the reserved pasta water if needed and season with pepper.
  5. Garnish & Serve – Garnish with more parmesan cheese and parsley. Serve while warm.
overhead shot of spaghetti carbonara in a black skillet

How to stop your eggs from scrambling

Consistency is key when it comes to a good carbonara! Here are some tips to prevent your eggs from scrambling and get a perfect sauce everytime.

  1. Don’t let the egg mixture touch the hot pan immediately. Make sure the bottom of the pan is a little wet before you pour in the eggs. Adding a couple of small spoonfuls of pasta water will do the trick! If the pan is too dry, the eggs will immediately set and scramble if they touch the hot surface.
  2. Toss Toss Toss! Toss the pasta constantly when you add the egg mixture.  Keep tossing until the eggs begin to thicken and turn to a thinned, smooth custard. Stirring helps reduce contact with the hot pan, keeping them from scrambling or curdling, while the general heat of the pan and pasta will cook the eggs through.
a fork twirling some spaghetti in a plate full of carbonara

How to serve

Traditional carbonara is served with spaghetti noodles but feel free to use whatever noodles you have at home. Make sure to top off your carbonara with another grating of fresh parmesan to really create a luscious meal. Try adding fresh baby spinach; you’ll get a vibrant, beautiful dish with some additional health benefits or the alternative route; pair it with a hot garlic parmesan skillet roll or caprese salad for a truly outstanding meal.

Storing leftover spaghetti carbonara

Store leftover carbonara sealed in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 4 days.

Reheating

It is best to reheat your leftovers over the stove, not in the microwave. Toss leftover spaghetti carbonara in a skillet over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes until heated through. This way you can reheat your sauce gently without causing it to seperate.

a place full of spaghetti carbonara garnished with parsley and parmesan cheese
overhead shot of spaghetti carbonara in a plate garnished with parsley and parmesan cheese

Did you like this pasta recipe? Try these!

  • Instant Pot Baked Ziti
  • Pasta Primavera
  • Chicken Piccata Pasta
  • One Pot Spaghetti
  • Chicken Alfredo Bake
  • One Pot Creamy Parmesan Pasta
  • Penne Arrabbiata
  • The Best Lasagna
  • Creamy Garlic Butter Spaghetti
  • Spaghetti Bolognese

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Recipe
5 from 4 votes

Spaghetti Carbonara

Spaghetti Carbonara – My rendition of the traditional Italian pasta dish. The easiest pasta to make with just 5 ingredients! Ready in only 15 min, this carbonara is loaded with Parmesan cheese and savorous crisp bacon!
Prep: 5 minutes mins
Cook: 10 minutes mins
Total: 15 minutes mins
Print
Rate
6

Equipment

  • 12-inch Cast Iron Skillet

Ingredients

  • 1 pound spaghetti uncooked
  • 8 slices bacon chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic chopped
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon parsley chopped
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Cook Pasta – Cook the pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of water, then drain the rest.
  • Make Egg Mixture – In a medium sized bowl, whisk the eggs and cheese together. Set aside.
  • Cook Bacon – In a large skillet or Dutch oven cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until aromatic.
  • Combine Ingredients – Add the cooked pasta to the Dutch oven and toss. Remove from heat and add the egg mixture to the pasta and toss well. Add the reserved pasta water if needed and season with pepper.
  • Garnish & Serve – Garnish with more parmesan cheese and parsley. Serve while warm.

Tips & Notes:

  1. Store leftover carbonara sealed in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 4 days.
  2. It is best to reheat your leftovers over the stove, not in the microwave. Toss leftover spaghetti carbonara in a skillet over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes until heated through. This way you can reheat your sauce gently without causing it to seperate.

nutrition facts

Calories: 506kcal (25%) Carbohydrates: 58g (19%) Protein: 23g (46%) Fat: 19g (29%) Saturated Fat: 8g (50%) Cholesterol: 124mg (41%) Sodium: 502mg (22%) Potassium: 283mg (8%) Fiber: 2g (8%) Sugar: 2g (2%) Vitamin A: 332IU (7%) Vitamin C: 1mg (1%) Calcium: 230mg (23%) Iron: 2mg (11%)
Author: Joanna Cismaru
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: Italian

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Joanna Cismaru

Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts. Find me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

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