Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (225g) spaghetti
• 4 slices of bacon or pancetta, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare Spaghetti: Cook the spaghetti in a large pot of boiling salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the spaghetti and set aside.
2. Cook Bacon: While the spaghetti is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced bacon or pancetta and cook until crispy and golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess grease. Leave the bacon fat in the skillet.
3. Make Sauce: In the same skillet with the bacon fat, add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Remove the skillet from the heat and let it cool slightly.
4. Combine Eggs and Cheese: In a bowl, whisk together the eggs and grated Parmesan cheese until well combined. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
5. Combine Spaghetti and Sauce: Return the skillet with the garlic and bacon fat to low heat. Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss to coat it evenly with the bacon fat and garlic. Remove the skillet from the heat.
6. Add Egg Mixture: Quickly pour the egg and cheese mixture over the hot spaghetti, tossing continuously to coat the pasta evenly. The residual heat from the pasta will cook the eggs and create a creamy sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, you can add a little of the reserved pasta cooking water to thin it out.
7. Add Bacon and Serve: Once the spaghetti is coated with the sauce, add the cooked bacon to the skillet and toss to distribute it evenly throughout the pasta.
8. Serve: Divide the spaghetti carbonara among serving plates, garnish with chopped parsley if desired, and sprinkle with extra grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while hot.

Enjoy your homemade Spaghetti Carbonara!