Most Amazing Spaghetti Carbonara

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Creamy Italian pasta tossed with crispy bacon, egg yolks, and Parmesan, finished with a splash of black pepper. This italian-inspired quick meals ready in about 25 minutes pairs spaghetti, bacon, egg yolks for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 3.9 (12 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cook 400g spaghetti in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
  2. Step 2: In a large skillet, cook 200g bacon strips over medium heat until crispy. Remove with tongs, leaving 1 tbsp fat in the pan.
  3. Step 3: Whisk 4 egg yolks with 100g grated Parmesan, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1 tbsp olive oil. Add to the pan with the cooked spaghetti, tossing to coat.
  4. Step 4: Stir in the crispy bacon and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water until the sauce thickens and emulsifies. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Most Amazing Spaghetti Carbonara take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Most Amazing Spaghetti Carbonara?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep spaghetti from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Most Amazing Spaghetti Carbonara?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Most Amazing Spaghetti Carbonara for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Most Amazing Spaghetti Carbonara?

Italian quick meals like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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