Spaghetti Carbonara

Spaghetti Carbonara is a timeless classic and it’s easier and quicker to make than you may think. Some recipes include cream, but the traditional dish gets its subtle creaminess from a combination of very gently cooked eggs, parmesan and a little of the starchy pasta cooking water.

Spaghetti Carbonara

This isn’t a difficult dish to make if you follow my instructions, especially about removing the pan from the heat and letting it cool a little before adding the eggs to the pasta. If the pan is too hot, the eggs will scramble instead of creating that silky smooth sauce. This makes for a great dinner on busy nights, since it takes less than 15 minutes to make and uses simple ingredients you may already have on hand. It also features bacon, and you can never go wrong with bacon! If you want to add some vegetables, a simple side salad would be a great accompaniment.

Can Spaghetti Carbonara be reheated?

Carbonara is best made and served immediately as the sauce will absorb into the pasta and is tastiest when fresh. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days in an airtight container.

When do you add egg to spaghetti carbonara?

This recipe calls for the egg mixture to be added at the last step, once the heat has been turned off completely.

Can you make Spaghetti Carbonara ahead of time?

Spaghetti Carbonara is best made and served immediately.

Watch how to make Spaghetti Carbonara

Is Spaghetti Carbonara suitable for leftovers?

Spaghetti Carbonara leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The sauce will absorb into the pasta and is tastiest fresh.

Spaghetti Carbonara

Spaghetti Carbonara

Author: Nicole
5 from 5 votes
“Delicious, easy to cook! Great recipe.”
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This Spaghetti Carbonara is a quick and easy dinner that comes together in less than 20 minutes with only a few ingredients in a luxurious creamy sauce. 
Prep 5 minutes
Cook 12 minutes
Total 17 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 2 tsp sea salt flakes
  • 5 egg yolks
  • 65 g ( cup) freshly grated parmesan
  • ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
  • 400 g (14 oz) spaghetti
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 350 g (12 oz) bacon, cut into bite-sized pieces

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of water to the boil and season with the salt.
  • Place the egg yolks, parmesan and pepper in a small bowl and mix well with a fork to combine. Set aside.
  • Add the spaghetti to the boiling water and cook until al dente (I normally cook it for 2 minutes less than the packet instructions suggest, to avoid overcooking). Reserve 1 cup (250 ml) of the pasta cooking water before straining.
  • Partially crush the garlic clove using your hand. Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat, add the garlic clove and cook for 1 minute.
  • Add the bacon and cook for a further 3–4 minutes until crisp and golden.
  • Remove the garlic from the pan. Add the cooked pasta and, using tongs, toss the pasta in the hot pan to take on all the flavour of the bacon and garlic.
  • Remove the pan completely from the heat. Allow to cool for at least 1 minute. Toss half of the reserved pasta water through the spaghetti, then pour in the egg mixture. The residual heat from the pan will cook the eggs gently rather than scramble them. Add more remaining pasta water until the sauce is at your desired consistency.

Nutrition information

Nutrition Facts
Spaghetti Carbonara
Amount per Serving
Calories
659
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
20
g
31
%
Saturated Fat
 
7
g
44
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
7
g
Cholesterol
 
257
mg
86
%
Sodium
 
3231
mg
140
%
Potassium
 
284
mg
8
%
Carbohydrates
 
78
g
26
%
Fiber
 
3
g
13
%
Sugar
 
3
g
3
%
Protein
 
40
g
80
%
Vitamin A
 
466
IU
9
%
Vitamin C
 
0.2
mg
0
%
Calcium
 
197
mg
20
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Disclaimer re gluten-free and dairy-free recipes

Watch how to make it

Recipe notes

MAKE AHEAD

Carbonara is best made and served immediately.

LEFTOVERS

Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days but the sauce will absorb into the pasta and is tastiest when fresh.
 
Source – Recipe inspired by Jamie Oliver’s classic Spaghetti Carbonara, which you can view here.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!
Course entrée, Main Course, pasta
Cuisine Italian
  1. 5 stars
    Beautiful I added chicken and snow peas

    • Hi Kate, love the sound of your additions! Thanks for sharing and for the rating. ❤️ Nic x

  2. Any vegetarian recipes?

    • Hi Jessica, you can find the vegetarian recipes here. A lot of the recipes here are sauces, so just skip over those and you’ll find plenty of lovely vego recipes. Nic x

  3. 5 stars
    Better than a bought one

    • Thank you so much, Emma! Really happy you enjoyed this. Thanks for the rating too. Nic x

  4. 5 stars
    This was delicious, easy to make and toddler approved! Will definitely be making this again.
    *only difference we made was leaving the garlic in.

  5. 5 stars
    Delicious, easy to cook! Great recipe

  6. 5 stars
    Great, easy, yummy!

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Disclaimer re gluten-free and dairy-free recipes 

For recipes labelled ‘gluten-free’ or ‘dairy-free’, the ingredients included in the recipe are typically gluten- or dairy-free. However, it is the user’s responsibility to carefully check the ingredient panels on the specific brands of products purchased and used. Simple Home Edit cannot be held responsible for any adverse reactions.