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Spaghetti Carbonara
Spaghetti Carbonara is a classic Italian pasta dish built on a rich foundation of eggs, cheese, and crisp bacon. The magic happens when hot pasta tosses with the raw egg mixture, creating a naturally thick and creamy sauce without a drop of heavy cream. It comes together quickly for a comforting weeknight dinner that feels like a restaurant meal. Fresh parsley and cracked black pepper cut through the richness for a perfectly balanced bite.
Ingredients
- 1 package (16 oz) spaghetti
- 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
- 6 slices bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 3 pasteurized eggs*, beaten, or ¾ cup fat-free egg product
- 1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup freshly grated Romano cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- ¼ teaspoon pepper Additional freshly grated Parmesan cheese, if desired Freshly ground pepper, if desired
Instructions
- 1Boil the spaghetti in a large pot according to the package instructions, then drain the pasta and return it to the pot.
- 2Cook the chopped garlic and bacon pieces in a skillet over medium heat until the bacon turns crisp, then drain the excess fat.
- 3Whisk the eggs, oil, half a cup of Parmesan cheese, Romano cheese, chopped parsley, and a quarter teaspoon of pepper together in a small bowl.
- 4Pour the cooked bacon and the egg mixture over the hot spaghetti. Stir everything constantly over low heat until the sauce thickens and coats the noodles, then take the pot off the heat.
- 5Portion the pasta into bowls and top with extra grated Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper.
- 6Read the carton to ensure you are using pasteurized eggs, as they undergo a heat treatment to eliminate harmful bacteria.
- 7Purchase pasteurized eggs from the dairy section of your supermarket to safely prepare this gently heated sauce.
- 8Measure out three-quarters of a cup of fat-free liquid egg product as a safe, pre-pasteurized alternative to whole eggs.
- 9Fold two cups of diced cooked chicken into the pasta along with the egg mixture to create a hearty chicken carbonara.