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  • parsley
  • pasta
Pasta carbonara shown in a large white serving bowl. - 1

Pasta Carbonara

Ingredients

  • 10 slices bacon , cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 8 1/2 cups water , divided
  • 4 cloves garlic , minced
  • 1 lb spaghetti or linguine
  • 1 1/4 cups finely grated parmesan cheese , plus more for serving (2 oz)
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1 tsp each salt and pepper , or to taste
  • Chopped fresh parsley , for garnish

Instructions

  • Add bacon and 1/2 cup of the water to a large non-stick skillet and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.
  • Allow to simmer until water evaporates about 6 - 7 minutes, then reduce heat to medium-low and continue to cook until bacon is brown and crisp, about 6 - 8 minutes longer.
  • Place a fine mesh strainer over a bowl then pour bacon into strainer while reserving about 1 tsp of the rendered fat in pan. Return pan to heat and saute garlic about 30 seconds, until fragrant and lightly golden.
  • Pour into a medium mixing bowl then add 1 Tbsp rendered bacon fat (drippings in bowl set under strainer) to mixing bowl with garlic. Add eggs, egg yolk, parmesan and pepper to garlic mixture and whisk until well combined.
  • Meanwhile, bring 8 cups of water to a boil in a large dutch oven (no more than 8 cups because you want a very starchy water for the sauce). Add spaghetti and salt to boiling water and cook until al dente. While pasta is boiling, set a colander in a large bowl.
  • Carefully drain al dente pasta into colander in bowl, while reserving pasta water in bowl. Measure out 1 cup hot pasta water and discard remaining water. Immediately place pasta in now empty large bowl.
  • Slowly pour and whisk 1/2 cup pasta water into egg mixture, then slowly pour mixture over pasta while tossing to coat. Add bacon and toss to combine. Season with salt if desired.
  • Let pasta rest, tossing frequently, 2 - 4 minutes until sauce has thickened slightly and coats pasta. Thin with remaining 1/2 cup hot pasta water as needed. Serve immediately topped with additional parmesan and parsley.

Notes

  • Use real Parmigiano Reggiano cheese for fresh flavor and only freshly grated. It will melt better and gives this dish a richer flavor. I like to use a zest to grate it. Slightly pack when measuring or use a kitchen scale.
  • Be sure you immediately add the hot pasta water into the egg mixture to help cook it (if needed, you could even re-warm the water it in the microwave, but it needs to be very hot).
  • If you want a thicker sauce another option I have tried is to toss the pasta with the sauce mixture in a large heat proof bowl set over a pot of simmering water, cooking for only about 1 minute or just until thickened nicely. Careful not to overdue it or it can be gluey.
  • Recipe adapted from Cook’s Illustrated

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