Description
A quick, budget-friendly carbonara recipe that uses simple pantry staples like eggs, bacon, and pasta to create a creamy, decadent sauce without heavy cream. Perfect for weeknight dinners in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) Spaghetti or Bucatini
- 6–8 slices Thick-Cut Bacon (200-250g)
- 3 Large Eggs + 1 Egg Yolk
- 1 cup (100g) Freshly grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1–2 teaspoons Freshly Cracked Black Pepper
- Salt (for pasta water)
Instructions
- Place bacon slices in a cold large skillet and turn heat to medium. Cook for 8-10 minutes until crispy, then remove to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving 1 tablespoon of grease in the pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, extra yolk, grated parmesan, and black pepper until smooth and pale yellow. Set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente, checking 1-2 minutes before package directions. Reserve 1 cup of starchy pasta water before draining.
- Transfer cooked pasta directly into the skillet with the bacon grease. Toss to coat. Remove skillet from heat entirely.
- Pour the egg and cheese mixture over the hot pasta. Immediately toss and stir with tongs. The residual heat will gently cook the eggs. Add splashes of reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
- Plate immediately, top with crispy bacon bits, add a final crack of black pepper, and serve.
Notes
Ensure the pan is removed from the heat before adding the egg mixture to prevent scrambling. Use freshly grated parmesan for best melting results. Reserve starchy pasta water to help emulsify the sauce. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat gently with a splash of water or milk.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 35
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 55
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 25
Keywords: carbonara, bacon pasta, budget recipe, easy dinner, weeknight meal, pasta without cream, comfort food