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Square overhead image of a basic spaghetti carbonara recipe in a white bowl.
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5 from 3 votes

Easy Carbonara

This simple carbonara recipe is an easy dinner that comes together in about 20 minutes!
Course Dinner
Cuisine Italian
Keyword basic spaghetti carbonara recipe, best spaghetti carbonara recipe, easy carbonara recipe, simple carbonara recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 504kcal
Author Blair Lonergan

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces dry spaghetti
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 teaspoons total)
  • Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 large whole eggs plus 1 large egg yolk, at room temperature
  • 1 cup freshly-grated Parmesan cheese
  • Optional garnish: additional Parmesan cheese, olive oil, fresh herbs

Instructions

  • Cook the spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, according to package instructions. Reserve the hot cooking water, because you will need it for the sauce later.
    Ingredients for a basic spaghetti carbonara recipe.
  • Meanwhile, in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until the fat is rendered and the bacon is crisp, about 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add a ladle of pasta water and simmer on low heat for 2-3 minutes.
    Pan frying bacon in a cast iron pan.
  • Meanwhile, whisk together the eggs and egg yolk in a large bowl. Add the Parmesan and whisk to combine. While whisking, very gradually add a ladle of the pasta water to temper the eggs. Set aside.
    Whisking together the egg mixture for a basic spaghetti carbonara recipe.
  • When the pasta is al dente, add the pasta straight from the water to the bacon in the skillet (reserving the pasta cooking water in the pot). Remove from the heat; season with black pepper, to taste.
    Process shot showing how to toss the pasta with the egg mixture for a simple spaghetti carbonara recipe.
  • Stir the egg mixture into the pasta and toss gently to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add a little bit more pasta water. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese, a drizzle of olive oil, or chopped fresh herbs.
    Square side shot of a simple carbonara recipe in a bowl on a wooden table.

Notes

  • Make sure that you slowly temper the egg (bring it up to temperature) by gradually whisking in some of the hot pasta water. Then remove the pan from the heat and toss the tempered egg mixture with the hot pasta. This is the key to avoiding scrambled eggs in your sauce!
  • Instead of bacon, use pancetta or guanciale. These Italian cured meats will not render as much fat in the pan as the bacon, so you'll need to start with about ¼ cup of olive oil in the skillet.
  • If you're using regular bacon instead of thick-cut bacon, increase the total amount to about 5 or 6 slices.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/4 of the recipe | Calories: 504kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 177mg | Sodium: 621mg | Potassium: 248mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 405IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 332mg | Iron: 2mg