Pasta Carbonara

(101)

It's an Italian comfort food classic that's ready in 30 minutes.

Prep Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
30 mins
Servings:
4

The classic spaghetti carbonara is a comfort food standby in Italian kitchens for good reason. If you can boil water, then making it is just a hop, skip, and jump away. This quick dinner is made from six everyday kitchen staples: pancetta or bacon, eggs, heavy cream, olive oil, Parmesan, and pasta. As the spaghetti cooks, you'll crisp up the meat in a skillet, whisk together eggs and cream on the side, and then toss it together with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. The result is a silky, creamy pasta that is perfect for any night of the week.

Pasta Carbonara recipe
Credit: Bryan Gardner

Directions

  1. Cook pancetta:

    In a large skillet, heat oil and pancetta over medium; cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp and browned around edges, 3 to 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain.

  2. Whisk egg, yolks, and cream:

    In a medium bowl, whisk together egg, yolks, and cream; season lightly with salt and pepper.

  3. Cook pasta:

    Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water 1 minute less than package instructions. Drain, reserving 1 1/2 cups pasta water.

  4. Add one cup pasta water to skillet; then add pasta:

    Add 1 cup pasta water to skillet; bring to a boil. Add pasta and cook, stirring, until reduced slightly, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.

  5. Add egg mixture to pasta off the heat; stir in cheese and pancetta:

    Slowly add egg mixture to pasta, stirring, until sauce thickens and clings to pasta. Stir in cheese and pancetta; season generously with pepper and serve immediately with more cheese.

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