Description
Creamy Carbonara Pasta is a beloved Italian comfort food featuring silky pasta coated in a creamy sauce with crispy smoked turkey bacon and garlic.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound spaghetti or linguine
- 2 cup heavy cream
- 4 large eggs
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 pound thick-cut smoked turkey bacon
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Step: Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti or linguine according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the starchy cooking water before draining.
- Step: While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the smoked turkey bacon pieces and fry for 4-5 minutes, stirring regularly, until golden and crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the drippings in the pan.
- Step: Reduce the heat to medium and add the minced garlic to the bacon drippings. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.
- Step: Pour in the heavy cream, stir in the black pepper, and bring to a gentle bubble over medium heat. Cook for 2 minutes until slightly reduced and thickened. Return the bacon to the pan and stir in the fresh parsley.
- Step: In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg yolks, and grated Parmesan until smooth and well combined.
- Step: Remove the skillet from the heat and let it cool for 2 minutes. Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet and toss well. Pour the egg and cheese mixture over the pasta and fold it in quickly, adding splashes of the reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce into a silky, creamy consistency.
- Step: Squeeze the lemon juice over the pasta and toss once more. Plate immediately and top with extra Parmesan, fresh parsley, and a generous crack of black pepper.
Notes
Cook the pasta al dente for best texture. Use thick-cut smoked turkey bacon to avoid burning. Temper the eggs properly to prevent scrambling. Adjust sauce consistency with reserved pasta water if needed. Reheat leftovers gently to avoid drying out.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 1050 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 60 g
- Saturated Fat: 30 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 300 mg
Keywords: creamy carbonara, Italian pasta, quick dinner, comfort food, smoked turkey bacon