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4.9 from 27 votes

Creamy Carbonara

This Creamy Carbonara is a simple, traditional Italian recipe. With bacon, garlic, and fresh grated cheese, it is full of flavor!

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 730 kcal
Course: Main Course , Dinner
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Spaghetti
  • 1 pound Bacon
  • 5-6 cloves garlic
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • pepper to taste
  • 5 ounces parmigiano reggiano grated on the finest side of a box grater

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Cook pasta to al dente according to package instructions in a large pot of salted water. DO NOT DRAIN. While pasta is cooking, cook bacon in a large skillet. When bacon is cooked and slightly crispy, remove from skillet and drain all but about 3-4 tablespoons of the remaining bacon grease from the skillet. Crumble bacon.
  2. Return skillet to stovetop and reduce heat to low. Stir in garlic and heat until garlic becomes golden brown and fragrant.
  3. Beat together eggs, cream, and pepper. Stir in about 1/2 of the grated cheese to the egg mixture. Add a ladle or two of the hot pasta water and stir well. *This will prevent the eggs from scrambling and keeps the sauce creamy. See recipe notes.*
  4. Using tongs, take pasta directly from pasta water to the skillet. Add crumbled bacon, egg mixture, and remaining Parmesan to pasta. Toss together until everything is mixed together.
  5. Serve immediately. If the pasta becomes too dry, spoon in some of the reserved pasta water or heavy cream a little at a time. Garnish with black pepper and extra grated cheese.

Notes

  • Be VERY careful when adding the egg mixture. If the pan is too hot the egg will curdle and you will have what one of our readers called "breakfast pasta". 
  • This dish is best right out of the warm pan. Leftovers will not be as creamy so try to eat it right away! 
  • Add grilled chicken or shrimp for extra protein.

Nutrition Information

Calories 730kcal (37%) Carbohydrates 59g (20%) Protein 30g (60%) Fat 41g (63%) Saturated Fat 16g (80%) Cholesterol 127mg (42%) Sodium 907mg (38%) Potassium 370mg (11%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 2g (4%) Vitamin A 365IU (7%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 315mg (32%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 730

% Daily Value*

Calories 730kcal 37%
Carbohydrates 59g 20%
Protein 30g 60%
Fat 41g 63%
Saturated Fat 16g 80%
Cholesterol 127mg 42%
Sodium 907mg 38%
Potassium 370mg 8%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 2g 4%
Vitamin A 365IU 7%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 315mg 32%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.