How to Make Homemade Pasta Carbonara
- PREP 5min
- COOK 15min
- TOTAL 20min
When eating, use a fork to pierce the egg yolk to coat the spaghetti. When making, be sure to add the spaghetti, egg whites and cheese off the heat. If the pan is over heat, the dish may be too dry. Also, when adding the egg whites and cheese, work fast so a sauce forms throughout the spaghetti. Choose high quality (we like organic) eggs for this. When you serve, the pasta should still be hot, cooking the egg slightly when broken.
You Will Need
6 ounces spaghetti or linguini
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
3 slices thick-cut bacon, cut into 1/4-inch pieces (substitute guanciale or pancetta)
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, plus more for serving
2 large eggs, at room temperature
Salt and fresh ground black pepper
Directions
Cook the pasta in boiling salted water until it is tender but not mushy. Reserve 1/4 cup of the hot pasta water then drain pasta.
Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, add bacon and cook until it has rendered its fat and is crisp. Transfer bacon to a plate then discard enough bacon fat so that two tablespoons are left in the pan.
Prepare three small bowls. Separate the egg whites and yolks. Add egg whites to one bowl then add each egg yolk to the two remaining bowls.
Add the pan with bacon fat back onto the heat then add reserved pasta water and pasta to pan with bacon fat, toss and cook 1 minute. Remove from heat then add 1/2 cup of the cheese, egg whites and lots of fresh ground pepper. Toss until well mixed.
Divide the pasta between 2 bowls, make a nest in the middle then gently side an egg yolk into each nest. Top with more cheese, bacon and an extra grind of pepper. Serve immediately.
Adam and Joanne's Tips
- Nutrition facts: The nutrition facts provided below are estimates. We have used the USDA Supertracker recipe calculator to calculate approximate values.
If you make this recipe, snap a photo and hashtag it #inspiredtaste — We love to see your creations on Instagram and Facebook! Find us: @inspiredtaste