This rich creamy spaghetti carbonara will not win any health awards but jeapers it is tasty. 🙂

It also isn’t particularly authentic due to the addition of cream. I love the more traditional egg only version too (Spaghetti Carbonara) but this one is my go to comfort food pasta dish.

I make it in large batches as it freezes really well. Remember to use a low power setting on the microwave though when reheating.

You will be:

1. Preparing everything
2. Cooking the  pasta
3. Cooking the bacon and garlic
4. Bringing it all together
5. Serving

You will need:

• Ingredients:
  • 6 to 9 rashers shortcut bacon
  • 500g dried pasta
  • 100g Parmigiano-Reggiano
  • 200ml double cream (called heavy cream in other countries)
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • a sprinkle or two of ground nutmeg
  • a handful of fresh basil leaves
  • half a handful of fresh oregano leaves
  • a generous slug of olive oil
  • table salt for the pasta water to taste
•  Equipment:
  • a long sharp knife
  • a chopping board
  • a whisk or fork for the eggs
  • a fry pan
  • a large pan to cook the pasta

Preparing everything

1. Chop the 6 to 9 rashers of bacon (shortcut bacon is pretty lean but if you are using other types try remove most of the fat and rind if you like).
2. Finely grate the 100g of parmigiano-reggiano  (you can use parmesan but I recommend  you try the real deal).
3. Roughly chop the handfuls of basil and oregano leaves.
4. Peel and finely dice the 2 garlic cloves.
5. Whisk the 2 eggs.
6. Fold the whisked eggs into the 200ml of double cream.

Cooking the  pasta

1. Put a large pot of water on the boil.
2. Add a slug of olive oil and a good dash of salt to the water.
3. Cook the pasta al dente while you do the next part.

Cooking the bacon and garlic

Throw a slug of olive oil into a fry pan along with the 2 sliced garlic cloves and cook the 6 rashers of chopped bacon.

Bringing it all together

1. Drain the pasta but keep some of the water to adjust the amount of liquid in the finished dish.
2. Add the pasta to the fry pan and on very low heat gently mix everything.
3. Fold in the egg/cream mix, cheese, oregano, basil and some of the reserved pasta water until you get the consistency you like.

Serving

Serve directly with a large crusty garlic bread in the center of the table. It is great to watch your family and friends literally breaking bread with you.

Have cracked black pepper and extra cheese available of course. 🙂

A wine site I like, winefolly.com, suggests full bodied white wines or light bodied reds.

Enjoy,

PK

Here are some more Italian food and pasta recipe posts: