Classic Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe

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This creamy, classic spaghetti carbonara takes just 25 minutes to make! A classic Italian pasta loaded with Parmesan cheese! If you're looking for a quick and easy dinner for busy weeknights, this recipe is perfect for you!

This classic Italian dish is a comforting food with lots of flavors. To prepare this easy recipe you need simple ingredients like, bacon, spaghetti, olive oil, eggs and parmesan cheese.

The first step is to cook the pasta. The second, is to fry the bacon until brown and crispy. The third is to mix the cooked pasta in the fat of the bacon together with a mixture of beaten eggs and grated parmesan cheese (the heat from the pasta will create a creamy sauce). The final step is to season with pepper and serve.

The result is a spaghetti carbonara recipe with a creamy texture, combined with the delicious and crispy bacon flavor. It's an Italian pasta dish that shows the simplicity of Italian cuisine.

I'm a big fan of Italian cuisine, so I decided to recreate some traditional Italian recipes to add to my website, like this: Homemade Margherita pizza, Baked cannelloni or this classic Tiramisu dessert.

If you like simples and tasty pasta recipes, check out these Easy salmon pasta, Spaghetti bolognese and this Chicken stew with spaghetti recipe.

Quick and easy recipes in 30 minutes or less: Quick and easy curry rice, Air fryer meatballs, Easy baked salmon with lemon mustard sauce or these 4-Ingredient scrambled eggs.

INGREDIENTS FOR CLASSIC SPAGHETTI CARBONARA RECIPE

Here you'll find all the ingredients needed to make this recipe:

Pasta - Spaghetti cooked in salted water.
Bacon - Raw bacon cut into small pieces. Bacon fried in olive oil until brown and crispy.
One whole egg and one egg yolk - Beaten eggs to make the creamy sauce.
A drizzle of olive oil - A little of olive oil to add flavor and fry the bacon pieces.
Garlic - Chopped garlic. Adds flavor.
Grated Parmesan cheese - Adds flavor and creaminess to the egg mixture.
Pepper - To season the carbonara.
Water and salt - To cook the spaghetti.

Below you’ll find the correct measurement of all ingredients and the step-by-step guide for this recipe.

HOW TO MAKE SPAGHETTI CARBONARA

Step 1: In a large pot of boiling salted water cook the spaghetti for about 10 to 12 minutes. Turn off the heat and drain the spaghetti with a skimmer.

Step 2: On a dish bowl, beat the whole egg and the egg yolk with a fork. Add the grated parmesan cheese and mix well; set aside.

Step 3: In a large skillet, add a drizzle of olive oil, chopped garlic and the bacon cut into small pieces. Fry the bacon until brown and crispy, about 4 to 5 minutes.

Step 4: Turn off the heat. Working quickly, add the spaghetti and egg and cheese mixture and mix gently to combine.

Step 5: Season with pepper and serve.

TIPS FOR SPAGHETTI CARBONARA

1. If you have any leftovers or want to save the recipe for later, let the spaghetti cool to room temperature and store in the refrigerator in an airtight container (to prevent the growth of microorganisms). You can store this recipe for up to 2 day in the refrigerator.

2. If you want a creamier spaghetti carbonara, add heavy cream to the egg mixture. We don't think it's necessary to add more creaminess to this recipe, but it's a matter of personal taste.

TIPS FOR COOKING PASTA

1. Use a large pot and boil the water seasoned with salt (for a little bit of flavor we like to add sometimes a little of olive oil or butter).

2. After adding the pasta to the boiling water, stir occasionally to prevent sticking together.

3. If you want the pasta to be al dente, after 8 to 10 minutes taste it and check if the pasta is firm and with a slight resistance in the center. Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and serve immediately.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How to cook pasta al dente?
Add the pasta to a pot of salted boiling water. After 8 to 10 minutes taste it and check if the pasta is firm and with a slight resistance in the center. When the pasta reaches al dente, drain it in a colander before serving.

Can I make this recipe with another type of cheese?
Absolutely! Pecorino Romano and Parmigiano-Reggiano (Parmesan cheese) are the classic and traditional cheeses used in this recipe, but you can use whatever works best for your taste preferences.