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Easy Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe Perfect for First Apartment Cooking

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A quick and simple spaghetti carbonara recipe ideal for beginners and first apartment cooking, delivering creamy, smoky comfort with minimal fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340 g) spaghetti
  • 6 oz (170 g) pancetta or bacon, diced
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (about 100 g) Parmesan cheese, finely grated
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • Salt, for pasta water and seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for sautéing bacon)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz (340 g) spaghetti and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent clumping.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 6 oz (170 g) diced pancetta or bacon (and 1 tbsp olive oil if needed). Cook until crispy and golden, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside, leaving the bacon fat in the pan.
  3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together 3 large eggs and 1 cup (100 g) grated Parmesan cheese until smooth. Add a generous pinch of freshly cracked black pepper. Set aside.
  4. Reserve about 1/2 cup (120 ml) pasta water, then drain the spaghetti.
  5. Quickly add the hot pasta into the skillet with bacon and fat. Toss to coat evenly over low heat. Remove pan from heat to avoid scrambling eggs.
  6. Pour the egg and cheese mixture over the pasta, tossing rapidly with tongs or a fork. The residual heat will gently cook the eggs, creating a creamy sauce. Add reserved pasta water a splash at a time to adjust the sauce’s consistency until silky and smooth.
  7. Stir in minced garlic (off heat) for a mild hint of flavor. Taste and add more black pepper if desired.
  8. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan on top.

Notes

Mix the egg and cheese mixture off the heat with the hot pasta to avoid scrambling. Use freshly cracked black pepper for authentic flavor. Save some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Cook bacon on medium heat to avoid burning.

Nutrition

Keywords: spaghetti carbonara, easy carbonara, first apartment cooking, quick pasta recipe, bacon pasta, creamy pasta, simple dinner

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