Spaghetti Carbonara
Ingredients
- 8 – 10 slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 8 1/2 cups water, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-pound linguine or spaghetti
- 1 1/4 cups Parmesan cheese, finely grated, plus more for serving
- 3 large eggs
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tsp. salt, or to taste
- 1 tsp. pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Add bacon and 1/2 cup of the water to a large non-stick skillet and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.
- Allow to simmer until water evaporates about 6 – 7 minutes, then reduce heat to medium-low and continue to cook until bacon is brown and crisp, about 6 – 8 minutes longer.
- Place a fine mesh strainer over a bowl and pour bacon into strainer while reserving about 1 tsp. of the rendered fat in pan.
- Return pan to heat and saute garlic about 30 seconds, until fragrant and lightly golden.
- Pour into a medium mixing bowl then add 1 tbsp. rendered bacon fat (drippings in bowl set under strainer) to mixing bowl with garlic.
- Add eggs, egg yolk, parmesan and pepper to garlic mixture and whisk until well combined.
- Meanwhile, bring 8 cups of water to a boil in a large dutch oven (no more than 8 cups because you want a very starchy water for the sauce).
- Add spaghetti and salt to boiling water and cook until al dente.
- While pasta is boiling, set a colander in a large bowl. y.
- Drain al dente pasta into colander in bowl, while reserving pasta water in bowl.
- Measure out 1 cup hot pasta water and discard remaining water.
- Place pasta in now empty large bowl.
- Slowly pour and whisk 1/2 cup pasta water into egg mixture, then slowly pour mixture over pasta while tossing to coat.
- Add bacon and toss to combine.
- Season with salt, if desired and let pasta rest, tossing frequently, 2 – 4 minutes until sauce has thickened slightly and coats pasta.
- Thin with remaining 1/2 cup hot pasta water as needed.
- Serve immediately topped with additional Parmesan and parsley.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan as it will melt better and give this dish a richer flavor.
Be sure you immediately add the hot pasta water into the egg mixture to help it cook. If needed, re-warm the hot pasta water it in the microwave, keeping in mind it it should be very hot.