Easy Creamy Beef Bacon Carbonara Pasta Recipe
This Easy Creamy Carbonara Pasta combines tender spaghetti with crispy beef bacon, a rich egg and cheese sauce, and fragrant garlic for a comforting Italian-inspired dish that’s quick and simple to prepare. The sauce is luxuriously creamy without any cream, relying on the perfect balance of Pecorino Romano, Parmesan, and reserved pasta water to create an authentic, silky texture. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal for four.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
Meat
- 4 oz beef bacon, diced
Cheese & Eggs
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Flavorings
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil for the spaghetti. In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 large eggs, 3/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano, and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan until a thick paste forms. Dice 4 oz beef bacon into small pieces and mince 2 cloves garlic.
- Cook Beef Bacon: Place diced beef bacon in a large, cold skillet over medium-low heat. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving rendered fat in the skillet.
- Sauté Garlic: Add minced garlic to the warm beef bacon fat in the skillet over low heat. Sauté for 30-60 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn. Remove skillet from heat immediately after.
- Cook Spaghetti: Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining. Drain spaghetti thoroughly.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add drained spaghetti to the skillet with the garlic-infused fat and toss to coat. Pour the egg and cheese mixture over the hot pasta. Toss vigorously with tongs to create a creamy sauce, adding reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if the sauce is too thick or clumpy.
- Combine and Season: Add the crispy beef bacon back into the skillet along with 1/2 tsp black pepper and 1/2 tsp salt. Toss everything to combine evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed before serving immediately.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Pecorino Romano and Parmesan for the best flavor and texture.
- Reserve pasta water carefully as it helps in emulsifying the sauce to the perfect creaminess.
- Be sure to remove the skillet from heat before adding eggs to avoid scrambling.
- Substitute beef bacon with pancetta or guanciale for a more traditional carbonara taste if preferred.
- Serve immediately for the best texture; the sauce thickens as it cools.
Keywords: carbonara, creamy pasta, beef bacon carbonara, Italian pasta recipe, easy pasta dinner, stovetop pasta, egg and cheese sauce
