Description
A rich and creamy spaghetti carbonara made with eggs, cheese, and crispy beef bacon. This classic-style pasta is silky, savory, and deeply comforting without using cream, just simple ingredients that create a luxurious sauce.
Ingredients
400g (14 oz) spaghetti or rigatoni
200g (7 oz) beef bacon, cut into small cubes or strips
4 large eggs, room temperature
2 extra egg yolks, room temperature
100g Pecorino Romano, finely grated
30g Parmigiano-Reggiano, finely grated
1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper, plus more to finish
Salt (for pasta water only)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt generously so it tastes slightly like seawater.
2. In a bowl, whisk together eggs, extra yolks, Pecorino, Parmigiano, and black pepper until thick and smooth. Set aside near the stove.
3. Place beef bacon in a cold pan. Turn heat to medium and cook slowly until fat renders and pieces become golden and crisp (8–10 minutes). Turn off heat.
4. Cook pasta 1 minute less than package instructions until just al dente. Reserve at least 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
5. Add drained pasta directly into the pan with beef bacon. Toss to coat in rendered fat.
6. Remove pan from heat. Quickly pour in egg-cheese mixture while tossing continuously to avoid scrambling.
7. Add reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time until the sauce becomes glossy and creamy, coating every strand.
8. Serve immediately with extra Pecorino and fresh black pepper on top.
Notes
Use freshly grated cheese for a smoother sauce that melts properly.
Keep the pan off the heat when adding eggs to prevent scrambling.
Add pasta water slowly — it’s the secret to a silky sauce texture.
Serve immediately for best taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 210mg