Go Back
+ servings
5 from 4 votes
Spaghetti Carbonara on a white plate on a wooden table.
Pasta Carbonara
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
18 mins
Total Time
28 mins
 

Pasta Carbonara is a classic but simple dish you can make any time of the week. Only a few ingredients bring this amazing meal together in minutes. All you need is some pancetta or bacon, some really good Italian cheeses and pasta!

Course: Entrées
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Pasta, One Pot Meal, Quick and Easy
Servings: 4
Calories: 816 kcal
Author: The Blue Jean Chef, Meredith Laurence
Ingredients
  • 1 pound dried spaghetti or pasta
  • olive oil
  • 8 ounces pancetta or bacon
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 egg yolks
  • ½ cup finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese about 1 ounce
  • ½ cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese about 1 ounce
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
  • lots of freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
  1. Bring a pasta pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta to the water and cook to al dente.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, pre-heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and cook the pancetta or bacon until the fat has been rendered out and the pancetta or bacon is almost crispy – about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain off all but about 3 tablespoons of bacon fat and remove the pan from the heat.
  3. Beat the eggs with the cheeses in a large bowl.
  4. Just before the pasta is al dente, remove a cup of the hot pasta water from the pot. Whisk ½ cup of this hot liquid into the egg and cheese mixture, reserving the remaining ½ cup of pasta water.
  5. Drain the pasta and immediately transfer the pasta to the skillet with the bacon. Toss to coat all the pasta with the bacon fat. Stirring constantly, pour the egg and cheese mixture into the hot pasta. Stir well and add the parsley and the freshly ground black pepper. Use the residual pasta water to thin the pasta sauce to the desired consistency and serve immediately.

Recipe Video

Nutrition Facts
Pasta Carbonara
Amount Per Serving
Calories 816 Calories from Fat 315
% Daily Value*
Fat 35g54%
Saturated Fat 13g65%
Cholesterol 238mg79%
Sodium 770mg32%
Potassium 448mg13%
Carbohydrates 86g29%
Fiber 3g12%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 34g68%
Vitamin A 735IU15%
Vitamin C 5mg6%
Calcium 337mg34%
Iron 2.8mg16%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.