5.0 from 21 votes
Quick Pasta alla Carbonara with Peas and Bacon
This Pasta alla Carbonara with Peas and Bacon a favorite quick, easy and inexpensive comfort food that's ready in less than 30 minutes.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 1105 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 4 lices thick-cut bacon about ¼ lb
- 1 clove garlic peeled and smashed
- 1 heaping teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper plus more for sprinkling
- ½ lb pasta
- 1 large egg plus 2 egg yolks room temperature
- ½ cup finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese plus extra for sprinkling
- ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese plus extra for sprinkling
- 1 cup frozen peas defrosted at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped Italian flat-leaf parsley optional
Notes
- Cook the pasta in as little water as you can. This will make a starchier pasta water which will help create a creamy texture.
- Do not drain the bacon on paper towels. You need the bacon grease for the sauce.
- Make sure your eggs and peas are room temperature so that they don't prohibit the sauce from cooking.
- Whisk in a splash hot pasta water to the egg and cheese mixture before adding the pasta to temper the eggs and avoid them scrambling.
- If your sauce isn't thickening up, it's probably not hot enough. Place the mixing bowl over top of the pot of hot pasta water and use the steam to create a double boiler. The gentle heat will warm the pasta enough to help form the sauce.
- Frozen peas are blanched before freezing, so you don't need to cook them first before adding to the pasta. But if you prefer them more cooked, add them to the boiling water with the pasta one minute before draining.
- Don't over salt the pasta cooking water or it could cause the final dish to be too salty due to the salty bacon and cheese.
- For even more flavor, add some fresh chives, mint leaves or lemon zest right before serving.
Nutrition Information
Calories
1105kcal
(55%)
Carbohydrates
99g
(33%)
Protein
56g
(112%)
Fat
52g
(80%)
Saturated Fat
23g
(115%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
6g
Monounsaturated Fat
19g
Trans Fat
0.1g
Cholesterol
194mg
(65%)
Sodium
1569mg
(65%)
Potassium
675mg
(19%)
Fiber
8g
(32%)
Sugar
8g
(16%)
Vitamin A
1149IU
(23%)
Vitamin C
29mg
(32%)
Calcium
904mg
(90%)
Iron
4mg
(22%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 2servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 1105
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 1105kcal | 55% |
| Carbohydrates | 99g | 33% |
| Protein | 56g | 112% |
| Fat | 52g | 80% |
| Saturated Fat | 23g | 115% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 6g | 35% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 19g | 95% |
| Trans Fat | 0.1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 194mg | 65% |
| Sodium | 1569mg | 65% |
| Potassium | 675mg | 14% |
| Fiber | 8g | 32% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
| Vitamin A | 1149IU | 23% |
| Vitamin C | 29mg | 32% |
| Calcium | 904mg | 90% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.