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Easy Carbonara Pasta with Bacon

NNew at CookingYouTube10 minserves 2
Original video by New at Cooking on YouTube4:10

About this recipe

Carbonara is a classic Italian pasta dish that's both simple and satisfying. This version, made with thick sliced bacon, is quick to whip up and only requires five ingredients, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner.

In just 10 minutes, you can enjoy a creamy, flavorful pasta that's sure to impress. Oliver from New at Cooking shows us how to achieve that perfect carbonara texture without the fuss.

Ingredient notes

  • The original carbonara uses pancetta or guanciale, but thick sliced bacon is a great substitute that gives a nice chewy texture.
  • For a creamier sauce, you can add an extra egg yolk to the egg and parmesan mixture.

Tips from New at Cooking’s video

  • Boil the spaghetti for 1-2 minutes less than the package instructions to ensure it cooks perfectly when mixed with the sauce.
  • Start cooking the bacon in a cold pan to help render the fat effectively, which adds flavor to the dish.
  • Make sure to reserve some pasta water before draining; it helps thicken the sauce and adds seasoning.

Good to know

How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 2 servings.
What is the total time required to make this dish?
The total time required to make this Easy Carbonara Pasta with Bacon is 10 minutes.
What should I do to prevent the eggs from scrambling when adding them to the pasta?
To prevent the eggs from scrambling, quickly add the egg and parmesan mixture to the pasta while stirring quickly.
How long should I cook the spaghetti?
You should cook the spaghetti for 8 minutes, which is 1-2 minutes less than the suggested cooking time.

No life story here — the video and the recipe are the whole point. All credit to New at Cooking: watch the original on YouTube.

The recipe

Serves 2 servingsTime 10 min

Ingredients

Steps

  1. 1

    Boil water in a pot and season it generously with salt.

  2. 2

    Add spaghetti to the boiling water and cook for 8 minutes, which is 1-2 minutes less than the suggested cooking time.

  3. 3

    While the pasta is cooking, cut the bacon into similar sized squares.

  4. 4

    Place the bacon in a cold pan and turn on the stove to render out the fat.

  5. 5

    In a bowl, crack open the eggs and grate the parmesan cheese. Add black pepper and mix until gooey.

  6. 6

    Once the bacon is cooked and the fat is rendered, strain the pasta but save some pasta water.

  7. 7

    Add the drained pasta to the pan with the bacon and mix well to coat with bacon grease.

  8. 8

    Pour in about 1/4 cup of reserved pasta water and turn off the heat.

  9. 9

    Quickly add the egg and parmesan mixture to the pasta, stirring quickly to avoid scrambling the eggs.

  10. 10

    Serve with additional black pepper, parmesan, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.

Heads up — we had to guess a little:

  • The amount of salt is inferred as 'to season' without a specific quantity.

Credit where it’s due: this recipe was transcribed from New at Cooking’s original video on YouTube. Follow them there — it’s their dish.

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