Description
Few dishes rival the velvety perfection of Creamy Bacon Carbonara Pasta. This rich Italian-inspired comfort food combines crispy bacon, silky egg-and-cream sauce, and Parmesan for a perfectly balanced dish that’s indulgent yet simple to prepare. Ideal for both quick dinners and elegant occasions.
Ingredients
Spaghetti or fettuccine – 400 g (14 oz)
Thick-cut bacon or pancetta – 200 g (7 oz), diced
Egg yolks – 4 large
Heavy cream – 1 cup (240 ml)
Parmesan cheese – 1 cup (100 g), finely grated
Garlic – 2 cloves, minced
Olive oil – 1 tbsp
Salt – to taste
Black pepper – 1 tsp (freshly ground)
Fresh parsley – 2 tbsp, chopped (optional)
Tip: Use fresh Parmesan and free-range eggs for maximum flavor.
Instructions
Step 1: Boil the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente (8–10 minutes). Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
Step 2: Cook the Bacon
In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced bacon and cook until crispy (5–7 minutes). Remove bacon, keeping fat in the pan.
Step 3: Sauté the Garlic
Add minced garlic to the bacon fat. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Turn off heat.
Step 4: Prepare the Sauce
Whisk egg yolks, heavy cream, and Parmesan in a bowl until smooth. Add black pepper.
Step 5: Combine Pasta and Sauce
Add cooked pasta to the pan with garlic. Let it cool for 30 seconds, then pour in the sauce, stirring continuously. Add splashes of reserved pasta water until creamy.
Step 6: Add Bacon
Stir bacon into the pasta. Toss for 1–2 minutes over low heat until evenly coated. Adjust seasoning.
Step 7: Serve
Plate pasta, sprinkle Parmesan and black pepper, and garnish with parsley.
Notes
Avoid high heat when mixing sauce to prevent curdling.
Freshly grated cheese gives a smoother texture.
The starchy pasta water is key to achieving a glossy sauce.
Reheat gently on low heat with a splash of cream or milk.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approx. 250 g)
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 280 mg
Keywords: Creamy Bacon Carbonara Pasta, easy carbonara, creamy pasta recipe, bacon pasta, Italian dinner