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Easy Carbonara with Bacon

Easy Carbonara with Bacon

Silky, no-cream carbonara with crispy bacon, eggs, and Parmesan. Weeknight-fast, restaurant-level comfort in one pan.
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients
 

Main Ingredients

  • 12 oz spaghetti or bucatini
  • 8 oz thick-cut bacon, chopped
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper plus more for serving
  • 2 tsp minced garlic about 2 cloves
  • 0.75 cup pasta cooking water, reserved hot
  • 1 tbsp kosher salt for the boiling water
  • 1 tsp olive oil optional
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley optional, for garnish

Instructions

Preparation Steps

  • Boil a large pot of water. Stir in kosher salt.
  • Whisk eggs, Parmesan, and black pepper in a mixing bowl until smooth.
  • Cook spaghetti until al dente. Reserve 3/4 cup cooking water, then drain.
  • Crisp bacon in a large skillet over medium heat with olive oil, about 6–8 minutes.
  • Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Reduce heat to low.
  • Add drained pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat in bacon drippings.
  • Remove pan from heat. Stream in egg mixture, tossing constantly until creamy.
  • Splash in hot pasta water as needed to loosen to a glossy sauce.
  • Taste and adjust pepper. Garnish with parsley and extra cheese. Serve immediately.

Notes

For a sharper bite, swap in 1/3 cup Pecorino Romano for part of the Parmesan. If the sauce thickens after resting, toss with a spoonful of hot water to revive the silky texture. Leftovers reheat gently over low heat with a splash of water.
This recipe is an original creation inspired by classic Easy Carbonara with Bacon flavors. All ingredient ratios and instructions are independently developed.