Simple & Creamy Carbonara Pasta Recipe
Authentic Carbonara Pasta: Easy Homemade Recipe
Made this because I was hungry! A quick and delicious recipe for those sudden cravings.
Pasta Ingredients
- Spaghetti, enough for a 100-won coin size (approx. 80-100g)
- 3 strips of thick-cut bacon
- 3 tsp unsalted butter
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 fresh egg yolk
- Parmesan cheese, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 fresh egg yolk
- Parmesan cheese, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Once boiling, add the spaghetti and cook for about 9 minutes, or until al dente. Add just a pinch of salt to the water; the bacon and cheese will provide plenty of saltiness. Once the pasta is cooked, drain it well and set aside.
Step 2
Next, cut the bacon into bite-sized pieces (about 1-1.5 cm wide). Melt the butter in a frying pan over medium-low heat. Add the cut bacon and sauté until it’s golden brown and has rendered its delicious fat. Once the bacon is crispy and fragrant, season with freshly ground black pepper. For a hint of heat, you can add a tiny pinch of red pepper flakes at this stage.
Step 3
Once the bacon is nicely rendered, add the drained spaghetti directly into the frying pan. Pour in about half a ladle of the pasta cooking water (pasta water). This starchy water is key to creating a smooth, emulsified sauce that coats the pasta beautifully.
Step 4
As the pasta water reduces and starts to thicken the sauce with the bacon fat, reduce the heat to very low or turn it off temporarily. This prevents the egg from scrambling. Pour about half of the pre-mixed egg yolk and Parmesan cheese mixture into the pan. Quickly toss and stir the pasta with the sauce until it becomes creamy and coats the strands. If the sauce looks too thick, add a little more pasta water. Once you achieve a luscious, creamy consistency, transfer the carbonara to a serving plate. Garnish with more freshly ground black pepper and Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy your delightful homemade carbonara!
