How to Cook Spaghetti Carbonara

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By CinnamonSpice
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Article Rating: (3 Ratings)

Spaghetti alla Carbonara

Spaghetti all Carbonara is a very simple Italian bacon and egg spaghetti. The specks of black pepper are said to resemble little pieces of coal dust that fell off the coal miners clothes as they ate. American soldiers returning home from Italy after WWII popularized it in America. Some popular American additons include heavy cream, white wine, garlic and parsley. Classic Carbonara is made with Guanciale(an unsmoked bacon made from pig jowl or cheek), eggs and cheese. It is a quick and easy dish to make but truth be told no one has to know. It will taste like you've been slaving over a hot stove!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

1 pound spaghetti, cooked to al dente
3 tablespoons Olive Oil, divided
8 ounces Panchetta or good quality bacon, diced into ¼ inch pieces
4 large eggs, beaten
1 cup grated Parmesan plus more for serving
1 teaspoon black pepper

Step 1

Cook pasta according to package directions.
Step 2

While the pasta is cooking in a large skillet heat 1 tablespoon Olive Oil and fry pancetta until browned and crispy. Drain grease and add back two tablespoons Olive Oil.
Step 3

In a large bowl beat eggs until well blended. Stir in the Parmesan and black pepper.
Step 4

When Pasta is ready drain and quickly add to bowl with the egg mixture. Toss together until the spaghetti is coated well with the mixture. Add the bacon mixture and toss again. Serve immediately with additional Parmesan and black pepper on the side.

Tips & Warnings

The spaghetti should be piping hot when tossing with the eggs. The heat from the spaghetti is the only cooking the egg mixture has. Timing is everything here. Have all your ingredients prepped before you start the spaghetti cooking. All the components of the dish should be ready to go when the spaghetti is.
If you were to mix it over the heat you risk scrambling the eggs.

Comments

rorsich said

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on 12/27/2008 Great article - Sounds pretty good.. I will have to try this. Never had it before. You would LOVE my spaghetti recipe...Unfortunately, that is the ONLY recipe I won't be posting... I can't give that one away - OLD Family secret!!

Thanks for sharing though - 5*****s, and recommend you!

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