By Becky Hardin
Published Mar 28, 2025
Spaghetti Carbonara is a boldly flavored pasta dinner that features freshly grated parmesan cheese, a medley of mouthwatering seasonings, lots of bacon, and more! I love how quick and easy this recipe is, and also how impressive and delicious it is! In under 30 minutes, I can have a belly-warming classic Italian meal on the table!
I love that this timeless creamy pasta recipe uses inexpensive kitchen staples. The sauce makes use of pasta water, aka liquid gold, to create a velvety smooth texture. You won’t believe there’s no cream in this decadent recipe– I certainly didn’t!
Tips for Beginners
- Freshly grate the cheese for the best results. Pre-shredded cheese will not melt as well.
- Take care not to overcook the pasta!
- Easily temper the eggs by mixing a bit of pasta water into the eggs before adding them to the pasta.
- Slowly mix the egg mixture into the pasta, tossing constantly, to avoid scrambling the eggs.
- To make this spaghetti carbonara creamy, add ½ cup of room temperature half-and-half or heavy cream in with the egg yolks in step 2.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 12 ounces dry spaghetti noodles (¾ box)
- ▢ 3 large eggs room temperature (see note)
- ▢ 1¼ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ▢ 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ▢ ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ▢ ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ▢ ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ▢ 9 slices bacon diced
- ▢ 1 tablespoon salted butter melted (optional)
- ▢ Fresh parsley optional, for garnish
Video
Instructions
- Cook the pasta al dente according to the instructions on the package in boiling salted water. Save 1 cup of the pasta cooking water and set aside. While pasta is cooking, continue with the instructions. 12 ounces dry spaghetti noodles
- Combine the eggs, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, basil, rosemary, and pepper. Whisk together until combined well. Set aside. 3 large eggs, 1¼ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon dried basil, ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- In a medium skillet set over medium-high heat, cook the bacon until it is crispy. Drain the grease and add it to a large bowl. 9 slices bacon
- Add the cooked pasta into the bowl with bacon and immediately add in the egg and parmesan cheese mixture. Toss everything in the bowl repeatedly to make sure the eggs just set but don’t curdle and cook too much. Add pasta water if needed for sauce consistency (I usually add in as much as 1 cup depending on how creamy I want it).
- If desired, add melted butter. Otherwise, plate and serve with chopped fresh parsley and pepper. 1 tablespoon salted butter, Fresh parsley
Becky’s Tips
- Note: While the eggs in this recipe are gently heated, they are still considered raw. Do not feed spaghetti carbonara to the very young, very old, pregnant, or immunocompromised.
- Don’t forget to save a cup of the pasta water!
- I like spaghetti for the most traditional dish, but any long pasta shape will work.
- The most traditional meat for carbonara is guanciale; however, it can be hard to find. Pancetta or bacon are great alternatives, and we personally love bacon!
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Spaghetti Carbonara Step by Step
Make the Sauce: Cook 12 ounces (¾ box) of dry spaghetti to al dente according to the instructions on the package in boiling salted water. Save 1 cup of the pasta cooking water and set aside. While pasta is cooking, combine 3 large eggs, 1¼ cups of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, ½ teaspoon of onion powder, ½ teaspoon of dried basil, ¼ teaspoon of dried rosemary, and ¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper. Whisk together until combined well. Set aside.
Cook the Bacon: In a medium skillet set over medium-high heat, cook 9 slices of bacon until crispy. Drain the grease and add it to a large bowl.
Toss the Pasta: Add the cooked pasta into the bowl with bacon and immediately add in the egg and parmesan cheese mixture. Toss everything in the bowl repeatedly to make sure the eggs just set but don’t curdle and cook too much. Add pasta water if needed for sauce consistency (I usually add in as much as 1 cup depending on how creamy I want it).
Serve ad enjoy: If desired, add 1 tablespoon of melted salted butter. Otherwise, plate and serve with chopped fresh parsley and pepper.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover spaghetti carbonara in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet set over medium-low heat until warmed through. Splash in some extra water to loosen the sauce if needed.
Serving Suggestions
With an entree this stunning, you’ll want some equally delicious Italian-inspired sides to plate it with! I usually like to add a pop of color to our plate with veggies like Crispy Garlic Roasted Asparagus or Parmesan Roasted Broccoli . Of course, you could really go above and beyond with my favorite Homemade Garlic Bread !
If you really want to have the full Italian restaurant experience, finish your meal with Classic Tiramisu .
More Classic Pasta Recipes To Try
Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo
Pasta Pomodoro
Cacio e Pepe
Penne Alla Vodka
Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 ounces dry spaghetti noodles (¾ box)
- 3 large eggs room temperature (see note)
- 1¼ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 9 slices bacon diced
- 1 tablespoon salted butter melted (optional)
- Fresh parsley optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta al dente according to the instructions on the package in boiling salted water. Save 1 cup of the pasta cooking water and set aside. While pasta is cooking, continue with the instructions. 12 ounces dry spaghetti noodles
- Combine the eggs, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, basil, rosemary, and pepper. Whisk together until combined well. Set aside. 3 large eggs, 1¼ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon dried basil, ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- In a medium skillet set over medium-high heat, cook the bacon until it is crispy. Drain the grease and add it to a large bowl. 9 slices bacon
- Add the cooked pasta into the bowl with bacon and immediately add in the egg and parmesan cheese mixture. Toss everything in the bowl repeatedly to make sure the eggs just set but don’t curdle and cook too much. Add pasta water if needed for sauce consistency (I usually add in as much as 1 cup depending on how creamy I want it).
- If desired, add melted butter. Otherwise, plate and serve with chopped fresh parsley and pepper. 1 tablespoon salted butter, Fresh parsley
Video
Notes
- Note: While the eggs in this recipe are gently heated, they are still considered raw. Do not feed spaghetti carbonara to the very young, very old, pregnant, or immunocompromised.
- Don’t forget to save a cup of the pasta water!
- I like spaghetti for the most traditional dish, but any long pasta shape will work.
- The most traditional meat for carbonara is guanciale; however, it can be hard to find. Pancetta or bacon are great alternatives, and we personally love bacon!
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
