This traditional spaghetti carbonara is rich, creamy and loaded with lots of crispy bacon and nutty Parmesan.— It’s on the table in only 20 minutes!
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Noodles filled with ‘zee bacon, parmesan, and more bacon.
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YOU GUYS. I put on my super-big-girl pants and made a fancy-schmancy spaghetti carbonara! I know right?! I totally felt like a pro Italian chef whipping up a pretty carbonara like nobody’s business.
Then….well, I felt like the world’s biggest carb-holic stuffing noodles into my face precisely 19.25 minutes later..
Even more so because of the fact that I tested and photographed this pasta both times at only 10am in the morning….and somehow spaghetti carbonara ended up being my second breakfast those days….or was it an early lunch?
Oh, boy…reading that back again sounds pretty bad….but those of you who have had spaghetti carbonara must know exactly what I’m talking about right?!
Don’t answer that. It’ll just make us both look bad.
P.S. I’m in love with the word “carbonara” it sounds like CARB-O-MANIA.
And yeah, that’s kinda exactly what this pasta is.
Hi, fat pants. Good to see you again.
So I’m dearly hoping that nearly all of you peeps have had a spaghetti carbonara at SOME point in your life. (you’d be insane not to want to) If so, then you know exactly what you’re in for today. Hot spaghetti noodles in a traditional rich, creamy egg sauce, (more on that below) loads of nutty Parmesan cheese, and a truck-load of crispy bacon pieces.
Totally not diet-food but you know what? I totally don’t care. ♥
Let’s talk about the sauce for the spaghetti. Traditional spaghetti carbonaras are composed of a no-cook sauce made completely from raw eggs and Parmesan cheese. Now, before you get all worried about eating raw eggs, let me explain: You’re gonna want your pasta JUST cooked and very hot right before adding the egg sauce, so make sure you timing right with this part. Immediately after your pasta is cooked (don’t forget to reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water!), whisk up 4 eggs with 1-1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese. Then pour the egg sauce over the hot pasta and stir to coat. During this time the eggs and cheese will cook right into the hot pasta making the pasta perfectly creamy and cheesy. Totally safe to eat, so no stress needed about the eggs!
One thing you absolutely must do is make sure that your eggs are beaten very well before tossing with the pasta. The last thing you want is little scrambled egg pieces ending up in your carbonara. (trust me, it’s gross—I speak from experience)
In the meantime, you’re gonna want to cook up some sizzly, crispy bacon, pan-fry a few cloves of garlic, and choppety-chop up some parsley to throw into that gorgeous pot of heaven. Lastly, to ensure that your pasta will be forever creamy, drizzle in 1 cup of reserved pasta cooking water.
Look at that…..oh, heavens. ♥
Okay, I lied. The LAST step is to grate up some more Parmesan cheese for personal sprinkling. You know iiiiiiit. 🙂
This carbonara pretty much fills up my definition of perfect. The sauce is rich and cheesy, the bacon just bein’ plain awesome, oh, oh and TWENTY MINUTES TO FACE-SHOVELING.
Or is it faceplanting? Face-diving? It’s all the same to me.
ENJOY.
20-Minute Spaghetti Carbonara
Ingredients
- 1 lb spaghetti pasta
- 4 large eggs
- 1-1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 8 slices bacon cooked and diced
- 3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Additional Parmesan cheese for sprinkling optional
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions and reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water. Place pasta in a large pot and set aside for a minute.
- Working quickly, whisk the eggs and cheese together until completely smooth. Immediately pour over hot pasta and gently stir to coat. Cover pot and set aside.
- In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, saute garlic in oil until fragrant. Add garlic, bacon pieces, and parsley to pasta and gently toss to combine. Slowly drizzle in reserved 1 cup pasta cooking water and gently stir until pasta is creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve spaghetti carbonara immediately with additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Recipe slightly adapted from Damn Delicious.
You know you want more pasta. 😉
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Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I love spaghetti carbonara, Sarah! This looks amazing and totally breakfast-approved! Your pictures totally have me drooling, too. Any pasta that can be made in 20 minutes is a winner in my book!
Sarah says
Thanks so much Gayle! Glad we’re on the same breakfast-page. LOL. 🙂
Jen @ Baked by an Introvert says
I am a CARB-O-MANIC! This spaghetti carbonara is so calling out to me. I actually wouldn’t mind having it for breakfast, says the non breakfast gal. I love the fact that it is ready in 20 minutes. Pinned!
Sarah says
Haha! I’m right there with ‘ya Jen! Who doesn’t love pasta for breakfast?! 😉 Thanks for pinning, lady!
Kelly // The Pretty Bee: Cooking & Creating says
I used to LOVE spaghetti carbonara when we could eat eggs. I made it all the time, it’s total comfort food! Thanks for making me super jealous now. 😉 Just Kidding.
Sarah says
Haha thanks so much, Kelly!! xoxo
Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen says
This looks absolutely delicious!! I actually lived off of carbonara pasta when I visited Rome a few years ago 🙂 I am sure my bf would go crazy for this! Hope you’re having a great week!
Sarah says
Oh, gosh. Spaghetti carbonara every day? Sounds like pure heaven to me. 😀 Thanks Ceara!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
This looks absolutely incredible, Sarah! I would totally have this for breakfast and lunch if this were in front of me. Love that it’s ready in only 20 minutes too! Bring on the fat pants!
Sarah says
Thanks so much Kelly! xoxo
michelle says
Looks and sounds amazing! I think I will try it tonight and add some spinich and chicken…
Sarah says
That sounds great, Michelle! LMK how it turns out! 🙂
michelle says
Yum yum yum! Thank you for sharing, dinner was a hit!
Sarah says
Glad to hear it!! 🙂
Ashley says
I always feel so fancy when I make carbonara at home!! This looks wonderful! And 20-minutes?? Even better! 🙂
Sarah says
Nothing beats homemade carbonara right?! Thanks Ashley! 🙂
Olivia - Primavera Kitchen says
Ummmm yes there are so many good things in this!! Looks beyond words good!
Sarah says
Thanks, sweet lady!! xoxo
marcie says
I’ve made carbonara…count it…only ONE time! That’s terrible, too, because we loved it! I love that I’m only 20 minutes away from awesome pasta, and your photos are gorgeous! 🙂 Pinned.
Sarah says
You definitely need to hop back onboard the carbonara train, Marcie! Thanks for the photo love and for the pin, girl!
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
I am always looking for quick and easy weeknight meals and this carbonara is calling my name! Plus, I can never resist some delicious bacon!
Sarah says
Thanks Ashley! You just can’t go wrong with bacon!
Rachael | Spache the Spatula says
Spaghetti Carbonara is one of my favorite pastas, ever! It’s such an amazing classic!
Love that it makes you think “carb-o-mania,” haha! I will never not be able to think that now 😛
Sarah says
Haha! This pasta is pretty much just the best carb-o-mania EVER. 😀 Thanks Rachael!
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
Gotta love a meal that’s ready in only 20 minutes! Especially if there’s pasta and bacon involved. 🙂
Sarah says
Thanks Christin!!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
I am a massive carbonara fan .. it has to be one of my all time favourite comfort foods. This looks so cheesy and delicious Sarah. Wish I had a bowlful to indulge in now!
Sarah says
Can’t beat a good ‘ol carbonara right?! Thanks Thaila!
Danielle says
I have never made spaghetti carbonara before, but that needs to change! I’d have to break out my biggest pair of stretchy pants for this one though, it wouldn’t stand a chance near me. Pinned!
Sarah says
You definitely need to give this pasta a try, Danielle! I’m positive you’ll love it. 🙂 Thanks for the pin too!
Sarah @ The Gold Lining Girl says
This is *gorgeous*!! I love spaghetti carbonara, but have not made it in forever! You’ve inspired me. This looks phenomenal. YUM.
Sarah says
Thank you so much Sarah! xoxoxo
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
Sounds like a smart, quick, and totally delicious weeknight dinner idea 🙂
Sarah says
Agreed! Thanks Medha. 🙂
Mary Frances says
These photos are so bright and vibrant! I don’t care what this is, it looks GOOD.
Ok maybe I care a little. Me and bacon and parsley area like *this* And only 20 min?? Sign.me.up.
Sarah says
Aww thanks for the sweet photo love, Mary Frances! You’re too kind. 😀 Happy Friday, girly!
Joanne says
I mean, you can’t really just save carbonara for later so OBVIOUSLY you had to have it for second breakfast. That’s a no brainer.
Sarah says
That’s exactly what I figure! Carbonara waits for NO ONE! 😀
Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later! says
This is on my list of recipes to make! I have waited way too long to try it and your pictures are so enticing!
Sarah says
Thanks for the photo love, Amber!!
Chelsea @Gal on a Mission says
My mouth is starting to water! This spaghetti carbonara looks fantastic, Sarah! Perfect weeknight meal.
Sarah says
Thank you so much Chelsea!! 🙂