By: Sharon Fitness
Ahhh, BACON. It’s the perfect combination of crispy, salty, and umami goodness!
Whether it’s sizzling away on a Sunday morning or topping off your favourite burger, bacon has this magical way of making everything taste better. It’s comfort food at its finest, with that irresistible aroma that fills the kitchen and instantly makes your mouth water. Plus, it’s so versatile – wrap it around veggies, add it to salads, or just enjoy it on its own. No matter how you slice it, bacon always hits the spot!
That’s what Food Truck chef Cleo is up against when ‘The Bacon Wagon’ moves into her street in GOOD‘s new movie You’re Bacon Me Crazy, now streaming. To celebrate the release of the movie we thought we’d find a delicious recipe where bacon is the hero.
When it comes to Italian cuisine, few dishes are as iconic and beloved as bacon carbonara. This classic Roman pasta dish is a beautiful combination of rich, creamy, and savoury flavours, using just a handful of ingredients to create something truly magical. Despite its simplicity, carbonara is often misunderstood or made with unnecessary ingredients like cream, which dilutes the authenticity of the dish.
What Makes a Carbonara ‘Perfect’?
True carbonara relies on only five key ingredients: pasta, bacon, eggs, Pecorino Romano cheese, and black pepper. The magic of carbonara comes from the creamy sauce, which is made by emulsifying the fat from the bacon with the starchy pasta water and whisked eggs, resulting in a silky, luxurious coating for the pasta.
Pecorino Romano cheese is a hard salty cheese made from sheep’s milk. It is the authentic Roman-style ingredient, but Parmesan (a cow’s milk cheese) will work just as well, if that’s easier to source.
Ingredients for the Perfect Carbonara
- 400g spaghetti (or your preferred pasta)
- 150g diced bacon
- 4 large eggs (3 whole eggs and 1 yolk)
- 100g Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Salt (for the pasta water)
For Garlic Bread (optional extra!)
- A baguette or loaf of bread (unsliced)
- 100g of softened butter
- 3-4 cloves of minced garlic
- A pinch of salt
- 1 tbs of chopped fresh parsley
Step-by-Step Recipe for Authentic Carbonara
1. Prepare the Ingredients
- Bacon: If its not already diced, chop the bacon into small cubes or strips. Nice fatty bacon is essential, so don’t buy the one without the fat.
- Eggs: In a bowl, whisk together 3 whole eggs and 1 yolk. Add the finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese and a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper. Mix well to create a thick, creamy egg mixture.
2. Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. It’s important to reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta – this starchy water will help create the creamy sauce later.
3. Cook the Bacon
- While the pasta is cooking, heat a large pan over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook slowly to render (melt) the fat, stirring occasionally until the bacon becomes crispy and golden. This process should take about 5-7 minutes. Once done, turn off the heat, but leave the bacon in the pan to keep it warm.
4. Combine the Pasta and Bacon
- Once the pasta is cooked, drain it (but remember to save some pasta water) and immediately transfer it to the pan with the cooked bacon. Toss the pasta to coat it with the rendered fat from the bacon. If the pan has cooled, gently warm it, but be careful not to overheat, as you don’t want to scramble the eggs in the next step.
5. Make the Sauce
- Quickly add the egg and cheese mixture to the pasta and guanciale, tossing everything together off the heat. The residual heat from the pasta will gently cook the eggs, creating a creamy sauce. Add small amounts of the reserved pasta water, a bit at a time, to reach your desired consistency.
6. Serve and Enjoy
- Plate the pasta immediately, adding extra Pecorino Romano or Parmesan and freshly ground black pepper on top for added flavour. Serve hot, with some crunchy garlic bread, and enjoy your perfect carbonara!
Tips for a Perfect Carbonara
- No cream! The eggs, cheese, and pasta water create the creamy texture.
- Use quality ingredients: Look for the best bacon and cheese you can find.
- Work off the heat: When adding the egg mixture to the pasta, remove the pan from direct heat to avoid scrambling the eggs.
Garlic Bread
For a quick and easy garlic bread, preheat your oven to 180°C. Slice a baguette or loaf of bread in half lengthwise and place it on a baking sheet. In a small bowl, mix 100g of softened butter with 3-4 cloves of minced garlic, a pinch of salt, and a tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley. Spread the garlic butter evenly over the cut sides of the bread. Bake for about 10-12 minutes until golden and crispy. Slice and serve warm!
The Final Word
A perfect carbonara is all about mastering the balance of rich, savoury, and creamy flavours with minimal ingredients. By following these steps, you’ll recreate a pretty authentic Roman style dish, free of heavy cream and packed with flavour. Whether you’re making it for a quick weeknight dinner or impressing guests, carbonara is a go-to comfort food that never disappoints.
Now it’s your turn to try this recipe at home – get ready for a mouth-watering experience that brings a little piece of Italy to your kitchen! Buon appetito!
Article supplied with thanks to GOOD.
Feature image: Photo by Leonardo Cirimbelli on Unsplash
About the Author: Sharon Fitness is a movie buff, foodie, dog lover and tv fan