This recipe is an easy version I learned in Italy and is made with just pasta, bacon, and eggs. It only takes a few minutes to prepare, and many families I've worked with found that adding this dish to their family's menu helped broaden their children's palates beyond chicken nuggets and boxed mac & cheese. And it's a gourmet delight the whole family will love!
It's also a great alternative to ordering pizza. It's healthier and more affordable, and it provides a more memorable experience. According to kids I've interviewed, sitting down to enjoy a bowl of carbonara is "so much better" than having another carry-out pizza. So, save this recipe to your Paprika recipe app, and the next time you need a quick dinner idea, give it a try.
Historical note: this dish emerged in Rome. Mark Forsyth has written that American troops stationed there during World War II received rations of bacon and eggs. "When an American GI was hungry, he would pay a local chef to turn these basics into a pasta dish, and that’s how spaghetti carbonara was invented. (At least that’s one theory, and there’s certainly no record of carbonara before the Second World War.)” While the origin is unclear, what’s known is that it's become a beloved classic and an example of how easy cooking something amazing can be!
6-8 slices of bacon, uncooked
3 eggs
1 pound of pasta, such as spaghetti, tagliatelle, or penne
Cook pasta for 1-2 minutes less than the package directions say, to prepare the pasta al dente.
Slice the bacon into small strips while the pasta is cooking.
Test the pasta by biting into a piece. If there is a small amount of white in the middle of the noodle and the pasta is slightly firm, it is cooked al dente.
When the pasta is cooked, strain it and set it aside. Do not rinse it.
In the same pan you cooked the pasta in, sauté the chopped bacon until cooked but not crispy — about 3 minutes on medium heat.
When the bacon is cooked, remove the pan from the heat and add the cooked pasta. Mix the pasta and the bacon.
It's important to remove the pan from the heat. If it is too hot, when you add the eggs, they will cook and scramble instead of creating a creamy sauce.
Crack the eggs into the pasta and turn vigorously and quickly to combine all the ingredients well.
Serve with freshly ground black pepper and freshly grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese if desired.
You may also like these two kid-favorite dishes which are packed with nutrients and pair well with pasta carbonara.
Caesar salad with homemade Caesar dressing and roasted tomato soup.
Add some fresh fruit or French fruit salad for a third course, and you'll have an easy multi-course meal the whole family will enjoy.
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