Rich & Easy Bacon Carbonara Spaghetti
How to Make Authentic Bacon Carbonara Spaghetti – Easier Than Ramen!
With store-bought carbonara sauce, this bacon carbonara is as easy as making ramen! I often make it on weekends because it’s much simpler than preparing a full meal. By adding plenty of bacon, my family says it tastes even better than at spaghetti restaurants. Enjoy a restaurant-quality carbonara at home!
Main Ingredients- Spaghetti noodles, 1 serving
- Water, 1000ml
- Salt, 1/2 Tbsp
Carbonara Sauce Ingredients- Onion, 1/2
- Garlic, 8 cloves
- Bacon, 6 strips
- Milk, 100ml
- Store-bought carbonara sauce, 4 Tbsp
- Butter, 1 Tbsp (20g)
- Olive oil, 1 Tbsp
- Black pepper, 1/2 tsp
- Onion, 1/2
- Garlic, 8 cloves
- Bacon, 6 strips
- Milk, 100ml
- Store-bought carbonara sauce, 4 Tbsp
- Butter, 1 Tbsp (20g)
- Olive oil, 1 Tbsp
- Black pepper, 1/2 tsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare all the necessary ingredients for the dish. It’s best to have everything washed, peeled, and chopped before you start cooking.
Step 2
Thinly slice the garlic to release its fragrant aroma. Julienne the onion into approximately 5mm thick strips for sweetness. Cut the bacon into about 1.5cm pieces for optimal cooking and eating.
Step 3
In a deep pot, fill it about two-thirds full with water and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. This water will be used for boiling the pasta.
Step 4
Using a separate cooking pan, heat 1 Tbsp of olive oil over medium heat. This pan will be used for sautéing the ingredients for the sauce.
Step 5
Add the julienned onions to one side of the pan and the cut bacon to the other side. Begin to sauté them. This method helps to cook each ingredient properly and enhance their individual flavors.
Step 6
Sauté the onions until they become translucent and lightly golden. Cook the bacon until it turns a desirable shade of brown. The rendered bacon fat will naturally add a rich flavor to the dish.
Step 7
Once the onions and bacon are nearly done, make space in the pan and add the sliced garlic. Sauté the garlic until fragrant and lightly golden. Ensure you stir all ingredients occasionally to prevent them from burning.
Step 8
When the garlic is golden and aromatic, combine the sautéed onions, bacon, and garlic all together in the pan. Stir them together and cook for another moment to allow the flavors to meld.
Step 9
Add 4 Tbsp of the store-bought carbonara sauce to the pan and mix it well with the sautéed ingredients. Using a pre-made sauce makes achieving a deep flavor incredibly convenient.
Step 10
Pour in about 100ml of milk. This adds a creamy texture and helps to achieve the perfect sauce consistency. Stir well and let it simmer gently for a moment until the sauce thickens slightly.
Step 11
Once the pasta water is boiling, add 1/2 Tbsp of salt. Salt seasons the pasta from the inside and helps it cook to a perfect al dente texture.
Step 12
Add the spaghetti noodles to the boiling salted water and cook for approximately 6 minutes, which is about 1-2 minutes less than the time indicated on the package. Cooking the pasta slightly al dente is ideal as it will continue to cook in the sauce.
Step 13
Drain the pasta, reserving a little pasta water if needed. Reduce the heat under the sauce to medium-low. Add the cooked spaghetti directly to the sauce in the pan. Sprinkle in about 1/2 tsp of freshly ground black pepper for an extra layer of flavor.
Step 14
Toss the pasta and sauce together vigorously for about 1-2 minutes, ensuring the sauce coats every strand of spaghetti evenly. Once the sauce has reached your desired consistency, add 1 Tbsp (20g) of butter. Stir quickly as the butter melts to create a glossy finish and add richness.
Step 15
Serve the finished bacon carbonara spaghetti in a beautiful bowl. For an extra touch, sprinkle with parsley flakes if desired. Enjoy your delicious homemade pasta!
