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    Home » Main Dish » Pasta

    Spaghetti Carbonara

    By Jill Baird · Published April 12, 2023 · Updated October 20, 2023 · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe
    spaghetti alla carbonara, recipe for spaghetti carbonara.
    pasta carbonara recipe, spaghetti carbonara recipe
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    This classic Spaghetti Carbonara with bacon is a simple pasta dish that takes just about 20 minutes to make and always hits the spot. It combines perfectly cooked noodles, crispy bacon, and a rich and creamy sauce made with eggs, Parmesan cheese, and freshly ground black pepper.

    A plate full of Spaghetti Carbonara topped with bacon and peas. How to reheat carbonara. Spaghetti carbonara easy. simple carbonara recipe. carbonara recipes.
    Jump to:
    • Easy Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe
    • Easy Carbonara Recipe Ingredients
    • How to Make This Easy Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe
    • Spaghetti Carbonara Variations
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Storing and Reheating Carbonara Spaghetti
    • Easy Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe
    • More Quick and Easy Pasta Recipes

    Easy Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe

    If you’ve never tried Spaghetti Carbonara, you are in for a real treat. This simple Roman pasta dish is a classic for a reason. It uses simple ingredients like Parmesan cheese, black pepper, bacon fat, egg yolks, and starchy pasta water to create the most luscious, velvety smooth, rich and creamy carbonara sauce. 

    We top ours with peas and crispy bacon for a seriously comforting meal that is as quick and easy to throw together as it is delicious. If you’re looking for more easy pasta recipe, you might also love this Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce, Tomato Feta Pasta, or our Homemade Lasagna.

    Ingredients to make this Spaghetti Carbonara recipe in separate bowls. Carbonara description. Spaghetti carbonara recipe easy. Carbonara noodle.

    Easy Carbonara Recipe Ingredients

    • Spaghetti - as the name suggests, spaghetti is the classic pasta used to make Spaghetti Carbonara. You could substitute another long pasta noodle, such as fettuccine or linguine. You’ll want to cook just to al dente according to the instructions on the package. Don’t forget to reserve about 1 cup of pasta water to use for the sauce.
    • Bacon - you’ll need about 10 slices or ½ pound of bacon for this recipe. It’s easiest to cut the bacon into small pieces before cooking. Make sure to reserve all of the bacon grease because you will use it to make the sauce. Instead of bacon, you could substitute another type of cured pork such as pancetta, or even guanciale which comes from the pork jowl.
    • Egg Yolks - egg yolks are the heart of Spaghetti Carbonara and what make the sauce so silky smooth. You can reserve the egg whites for another use or discard.
    • Parmesan Cheese - make sure to use a high quality Parmesan cheese if possible. Either freshly grated or shaved will work great.
    • Frozen Peas - these should be thawed and drained. You could also substitute fresh peas if they are in season. Asparagus would be another great option.
    • Salt - kosher salt works great.
    • Pepper - I recommend using freshly ground black pepper.
    spaghetti carbonara, easy pasta dinfer recipe

    How to Make This Easy Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe

    1. Cook the spaghetti to al dente. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (about 1 tablespoon for a half gallon of water) and cook the pasta until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
    2. Cook the bacon. Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until crisp and golden brown.  Remove from the heat and transfer the bacon bits to a paper towel lined plate using a slotted spoon. Reserve the bacon grease in the pan.
    3. Add the spaghetti to the pan. When the pasta is cooked and drained, add it to the skillet with the bacon grease and toss with tongs.
    4. Temper in the egg yolks. In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, salt, and pepper. Continue to whisk while adding a steady stream of about ½ cup of the reserved pasta water to the beaten eggs. Add the egg mixture to the pasta while stirring and tossing with tongs.  Continue to toss until the pasta is completely coated.  
    5. Add the cheese and pasta water. Add the Parmesan cheese and continue to toss until the sauce is creamy. If the sauce seems a little too thick, add up to ½ cup more of the reserved pasta water. You want the sauce to have the consistency of heavy cream.
    6. Serve. Stir in the peas last, then top with crispy bacon just before serving. Enjoy!  

    Spaghetti Carbonara Variations

    Next time you're in the mood for Spaghetti Carbonara, try out one of these variations to make all sorts of different carbonara recipes. You can also switch up the carbonara noodles to make Fettuccine Carbonara, Linguine Carbonara, and more!

    • Chicken Carbonara: Add leftover diced chicken or rotisserie chicken.
    • Shrimp Carbonara: For seafood lovers, add cooked shrimp or even popcorn shrimp.
    • Mushroom Carbonara: Add sauteed mushrooms for an earthy and savory flavor variation.
    • Carbonara alla Romana: Add Pecorino cheese and black pepper just before adding the carbonara sauce to the noodles. It's a classic Roman recipe that's definitely worth a try!
    • Carbonara with Peas: Add peas to the pasta carbonara mix for a pop of color and extra nutrients.
    • Spicy Carbonara: For those who love a bit of heat, add red pepper flakes.
    A bowl full of Spaghetti alla Carbonara topped with parsley, bacon, and peas. Easy spaghetti carbonara recipes, spaghetti carbonara with bacon.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Are there raw eggs in spaghetti carbonara?

    No - the egg yolks in this recipe for Spaghetti Carbonara are very gently cooked by tempering them into hot pasta water, then adding them back to a hot skillet with hot cooked pasta. Egg yolks only need to reach roughly 150 degrees F to be considered cooked, which happens gently during the process.

    What’s the difference between carbonara and Alfredo?

    While both carbonara and Alfredo sauce are creamy, they are quite different. Alfredo sauce is another rich sauce that is made mostly from butter and Parmesan cheese. Carbonara gets its creaminess from tempering egg yolks into warm starchy pasta water, then adding in Parmesan cheese and a hefty dose of bacon fat. 

    Can I make this ahead of time?

    This is one of those recipes that you really can not make ahead of time. Carbonara Spaghetti truly should be made and served immediately. The sauce will never be as creamy and silky as when it is freshly made.

    What are the best carbonara noodles to use?

    I personally love using long pasta noodles so that the sauce will coat every last inch. Fettuccine carbonara and linguine carbonara are two great alternatives. However, any pasta will honestly work great. Another favorite is tortellini carbonara.

    Can you reheat carbonara noodles?

    Reheating carbonara is a bit tricky since the cooked egg yolks in the sauce aren't something that will easily melt back down. However, if you want to reheat carbonara, I recommend adding a bit of heavy cream or broth to the pasta while reheating very slowly.

    Storing and Reheating Carbonara Spaghetti

    • Refrigerator: you can store any leftover pasta in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
    • How to reheat carbonara: while Spaghetti Carbonara doesn’t reheat very well, you also wouldn’t want to just toss out leftovers. Try adding a touch of heavy cream or broth to the pasta while you reheat in a pan over medium low heat.
    spaghetti carbonara, easy pasta dinfer recipe
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    Easy Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe

    This easy Spaghetti Carbonara is a simple pasta dish that takes just about 20 minutes to make and always hits the spot. It combines perfectly cooked noodles, crispy bacon, and a rich and creamy carbonara sauce made with eggs, Parmesan cheese, and freshly ground black pepper.
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Prep Time 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time 20 minutes minutes
    Servings 6 people
    Calories 539kcal
    Author The Carefree Kitchen
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    Ingredients

    • 1 pound Spaghetti Pasta
    • 10 slices Bacon or about a half pound, cut into small pieces.
    • 3 large Egg Yolks
    • 1 cup Parmesan Cheese grated or shaved
    • ⅔ cup Frozen Peas thawed
    • ½ teaspoon Salt
    • ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper

    Instructions

    • Cook the pasta in salted water (about 1 tablespoon for a half gallon of water.) until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before straining the water.
    • Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until crisp and golden brown. Remove from the heat and transfer the bacon bits to a paper towel lined plate using a slotted spoon. Reserve the bacon grease in the pan.
    • When the pasta is cooked and drained, add it to the skillet with the bacon grease and toss with tongs.
    • In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, salt, and pepper. Continue to whisk while adding a steady stream of about ½ cup of the reserved pasta water to the beaten eggs. Add the egg mixture to the pasta while stirring and tossing with tongs. Continue to toss until the pasta is completely coated.
    • Add the Parmesan cheese and continue to toss until the sauce is creamy. If the sauce seems a little too thick, add up to ½ cup more of the reserved pasta water. You want the sauce to have the consistency of heavy cream.
    • Stir in the peas last, then top with crispy bacon just before serving. Enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 539kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.05g | Cholesterol: 127mg | Sodium: 713mg | Potassium: 306mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 390IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 231mg | Iron: 2mg

    More Quick and Easy Pasta Recipes

    • Baked Penne Pasta with Italian Meatballs
    • Slow Cooker Tortellini Pasta Bake
    • Easy Crockpot Lasagna with Ravioli
    • 4 Cheese Stuffed Pasta Shells
    • Sun Dried Tomatoes Baked Chicken Penne Pasta
    • Easy Baked Ziti
    • Baked Mac and Cheese
    • Stovetop Mac and Cheese
    • Buffalo Chicken Pasta
    • More Easy Weeknight Dinner Ideas
    • More Pasta Dishes

    If you’ve tried this recipe, please rate it and leave a comment on this post. I love hearing feedback from you. It helps me and other readers too! If you love Pinterest,  feel free to leave a comment and photo there too.  Also, if you like to share, use the hashtag #thecarefreekitchen on Instagram and tag me @thecarefreekitchen so I can find you and give your post some love. You can also find me on Facebook at The Carefree Kitchen. Thank you!!

    This Spaghetti Carbonara recipe is quick, easy, and seriously delicious. It uses simple ingredients like pasta water, egg yolks, and Parmesan cheese to make a lusciously smooth carbonara sauce.

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