Express Spaghetti Carbonara (Print Version)

Silky eggs, crispy bacon, and Parmesan meld for a creamy, quick pasta dish perfect for busy nights.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 7 oz dried spaghetti

→ Sauce

02 - 2 large eggs
03 - ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
04 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Bacon

05 - 3.5 oz diced bacon or pancetta

→ To Serve

06 - Extra Parmesan for garnish
07 - Freshly cracked black pepper

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti until al dente following package directions. Reserve ⅓ cup pasta water, then drain.
02 - In a bowl, whisk together eggs, Parmesan cheese, and black pepper until smooth.
03 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced bacon and cook until golden and crispy, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat.
04 - Add drained pasta to skillet with bacon off the heat. Pour egg-Parmesan mixture over pasta. Toss vigorously, adding reserved pasta water gradually until sauce is silky and creamy.
05 - Plate immediately and garnish with extra Parmesan and freshly cracked black pepper.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Twenty minutes from kitchen to table, and it tastes like you've been cooking all afternoon.
  • No cream needed—just eggs and cheese creating something silkier than you'd expect from such simple ingredients.
  • It's the kind of dish that feels like a small victory, especially when you nail that creamy sauce.
02 -
  • The eggs will scramble if the pan or pasta is too hot when you add them—working off heat and tossing constantly is what saves you here.
  • Pasta water isn't optional; its starch is what helps the eggs coat the noodles instead of clumping up, and it also cools the mixture just enough to prevent overcooking.
  • Freshly grated Parmesan melts smoothly, while pre-grated varieties have additives that make the sauce grainy and separated.
03 -
  • Toss constantly while adding pasta water—this vigorous movement is what creates the emulsion, turning simple egg and cheese into creamy sauce.
  • If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash more pasta water; if too thin, it'll set up slightly as it cools, so don't panic and add more cheese.
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