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    Home » Mains » Pasta

    Easy Pasta Carbonara Recipe

    Originally Published: Feb 24, 2018 · Last Updated: Feb 12, 2020 by Ann · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    801 shares
    • 8
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This easy pasta carbonara recipe takes 20 minutes to prepare, and can be either a quick weeknight meal or an elegant dinner!

    Quick disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may make a small commission, at no cost to you. I will never recommend anything I don't personally use and love!

    Easy Pasta Carbonara Recipe on a plate

    Weeknight meals are not always meticulously planned in our house.

    I usually have 3-4 dinners planned in advance and the rest are either haphazardly pulled together from whatever we have on hand, or come from one of two places: a cereal box or the sushi place across the street.

    So I'm always pretty proud of myself when I can make some magic on a whim with stuff I already have.

    Easy pasta carbonara recipe in a pan

    The other day, as I held my thumb above the send button to tell Phil cereal was on the menu that night, I had an epiphany.

    There was bacon in the fridge!

    And I suddenly remembered this easy pasta carbonara recipe I'd made a while back that was delicious AND took all of 20 minutes to make.

    This easy pasta carbonara recipe takes 15 minutes to prepare, and can be either a quick weeknight meal or an elegant dinner!

    This easy pasta carbonara recipe totally hit the spot (as a plateful of carbs so often does)! Needless to say, I have added this to my arsenal of fast, easy recipes using common ingredients, and I think you should too.

    For other favorites along those lines, see baked eggs in purgatory - if you have a jar of marinara on hand, and this quick chicken tortilla soup.

    This easy pasta carbonara recipe takes 15 minutes to prepare, and can be either a quick weeknight meal or an elegant dinner!

    I will leave you with one of my favorite tips that so often saves the day when I need to whip up something delicious for dinner on the fly!

    A useful tip for last minute weeknight meals

    I could have made this easy pasta carbonara recipe even if I didn't have bacon in the fridge because I ALWAYS have some in the freezer! Here's what I do.

    I buy a pound of bacon, split it into portions of 3-4 slices each and freeze. When I need bacon for a recipe, all I need to do is chop up that frozen bacon and cook it in a pan.

    No need to thaw, it's easy to chop and cooks perfectly from frozen. This way I always have it on hand to add to all manner of quick last minute meals from salads to pasta to omelets and fritattas.

    Enjoy xx

    Sound good to you? If you make this recipe, I would be THRILLED if you would take a pic and tag me on Instagram @ourhappymess!

    Or pin for later!

    And if you're looking for more easy dinner inspiration, follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. Or just subscribe in the sidebar on the right to get every new recipe in your inbox 🙂

    Easy Pasta Carbonara Recipe on a plate

    Easy Pasta Carbonara

    This easy pasta carbonara recipe takes 20 minutes to prepare, and can be either a quick weeknight meal or an elegant dinner!
    4.20 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Italian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 584kcal
    Author: Ann Otis

    Ingredients

    • 12 oz rotini or any other pasta shape (spaghetti is traditional)
    • 3 eggs
    • ¾ cup freshly grated parmesan
    • 6 slices bacon diced
    • 3 cloves garlic minced
    • kosher salt and pepper to taste
    • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook pasta according to the package directions. Reserve a cup of liquid before draining the pasta.
    • While the pasta is cooking, whisk the eggs and parmesan together in a small bowl.
    • Add the bacon to a large saute pan or skillet and turn the heat up to medium. Cook until the bacon is crispy about 5-7 minutes. Do not drain the fat from the pan. Add the garlic and cook for one more minute.
    • Turn the heat down to low. Add the the pasta to the pan. Pour the egg and cheese mixture, along with the salt and pepper on top, and quickly toss it with a wooden spoon until well coated. 
    • Add a splash of pasta water and stir again. Keep adding a little pasta water and stirring until the desired consistency is achieved.
    • Sprinkle with a little parsley and serve.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 584kcal | Carbohydrates: 65g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 161mg | Sodium: 557mg | Potassium: 332mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 340IU | Vitamin C: 0.7mg | Calcium: 248mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag it Today!Mention @OurHappyMess or tag #OurHappyMess!
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    801 shares
    • 8

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Megan

      January 15, 2019 at 10:26 am

      I love this recipe. It was extremely delicious.

      Reply
    2. Lisa

      March 02, 2018 at 11:29 am

      This is pretty close to the original! It sounds delicious and I think I'll make this for dinner tonight. 🙂

      Reply
      • Ann

        March 02, 2018 at 11:34 am

        Thanks Lisa! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do 🙂

        Reply
    3. Dawn - Girl Heart Food

      March 02, 2018 at 9:18 am

      5 stars
      I love pasta carbonara! It's so simple and unbelievably tasty! This reminds me that I haven't had in a long time and now I totally want, but doing meatless March, I 'll have to wait 😉 Great tip with the bacon too! Have an awesome weekend, Ann!

      Reply
      • Ann

        March 04, 2018 at 5:34 pm

        Thanks Dawn!! You can do it, I’m totally rooting for you!

        Reply
    4. Kortney

      March 02, 2018 at 9:04 am

      Love that this recipe uses rotini instead of spaghetti noodles. Such a good tip about keeping bacon in the freezer! Never thought of that before.

      Reply
      • Ann

        March 02, 2018 at 9:09 am

        Bacon is such a great way to add a little salty, meaty flavor to pretty much anything. I always have some on hand 🙂

        Reply
    5. Joyce

      March 02, 2018 at 8:41 am

      Can't wait to try this! I love CARBONARA !!

      Reply
      • Ann

        March 02, 2018 at 8:44 am

        Me too! Amazing flavors in so little time! 🙂

        Reply

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    Ann from Our Happy Mess

    I'm Ann and I believe in balanced eating, homemade foods, and DESSERT. I love to cook, but I can't spend all day in the kitchen anymore, so what you'll mostly find here are simple, family-friendly recipes. I'm really happy you're here!
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