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Classic Carbonara

A creamy, cozy, and flavorful pasta dish that captures the beloved qualities of carbonara, making it a perfect weeknight meal or a date-night indulgence.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 600
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Sauce Ingredients
  • 12 ounces spaghetti or fettuccine
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated Plus more for topping
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Salt, for pasta water
  • Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
Preparing the Sauce
  1. While the pasta cooks, whisk together eggs, grated Parmesan cheese, and a generous amount of black pepper in a bowl. Set aside.
Sautéing the Garlic
  1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic, cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant—be careful not to burn it.
Combining Pasta and Sauce
  1. Add the drained pasta to the skillet, tossing it with the garlic oil for a minute. Remove from heat, and quickly mix in the egg and cheese mixture, stirring vigorously to combine. If the sauce seems too thick, add a little reserved pasta water until creamy.
Final Touches
  1. Season with additional black pepper and adjust salt to taste. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and chopped parsley.

Notes

For best results, use high-quality pasta and cheese. Don't overcook the eggs to prevent scrambling. Customize with extras like peas or mushrooms. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.