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traditional carbonara

Carbonara

McKinley Hatch
This traditional egg-based carbonara features angel hair pasta tossed with crispy bacon, a creamy mixture of eggs and freshly grated Asiago and Pecorino Romano cheeses, and finished with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a quick and budget-friendly take on an Italian classic that’s rich, indulgent, and irresistibly delicious.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz angel hair pasta
  • 6 strips of thick-cut bacon diced
  • ½ cup freshly grated Asiago cheese
  • ½ cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese
  • 1 whole egg
  • 3 egg yolks
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the angel hair pasta and cook until al dente, according to package directions.
  • While pasta is cooking, prepare the bacon by using kitchen shears to cut the bacon into small pieces. Heat on a large skillet over medium heat until crispy.
  • Remove the bacon from the pan and set aside on a plate with paper towels to help remove some of the excess grease.
  • Make the carbonara sauce by whisking together the whole egg and egg yolks, grated cheeses (Asiago and Pecorino Romano), and salt and pepper.
  • If the sauce feels too thick, add pasta water to help loosen it. I add two tablespoons to mine since I like my pastas more saucy.
  • Immediately after draining the pasta, Toss it into the skillet with the bacon grease while the pan is still warm. Remove the skillet from the heat, then quickly add the egg and cheese mixture to the pasta, stirring vigorously to create a creamy sauce. The residual heat from the pasta will cook the eggs just enough without scrambling them.
  • Add the crispy bacon to the pasta and combine. Taste the pasta and adjust the seasoning as needed. Serve with an extra sprinkle of Pecorino Romano on top! Enjoy!
Keyword carbonara, egg-based carbonara, traditional carbonara