Name: Easy Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 3 oz. bacon; 2 cloves garlic; 12 oz. spaghetti; 3 large eggs; 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (divided); 1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper; 1/2 tsp salt; Handful fresh parsley (optional)

There’s something incredibly comforting about a classic pasta dish with a creamy texture and a touch of smoky bacon. This Easy Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe is exactly that—simple, rich, and so satisfying. It’s perfect for whipping up a delicious meal without fuss, and honestly, it’s one of my go-to cozy dinners.

A white plate holds a serving of spaghetti pasta with light yellow strands twisted together, mixed with small pieces of crispy brown bacon scattered throughout. Bits of green herbs are sprinkled evenly on top, adding fresh color. Small black pepper flakes are visible on the pasta, giving a textured look. A silver fork on the right side twirls some spaghetti with a piece of bacon on it. The background is a white marbled surface with some green parsley leaves in the top right corner and uncooked pasta strands slightly blurred in the background photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Easy Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Easy Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m always drawn to recipes that don’t require hours in the kitchen but taste like you spent all day preparing them. This Easy Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe nails that balance. Plus, it uses everyday ingredients you probably have on hand already—making it ideal for busy weeknights.

Quick and Simple: From start to finish, the dish comes together in about 25 minutes—perfect when time is tight.
Authentic Creaminess: The eggs and Parmesan create a silky sauce without any cream, just the right texture that clings beautifully to each strand of spaghetti.
Flavor Explosion: Crispy bacon and garlic add a smoky, savory depth that makes every bite memorable.
Customizable: You can tweak the pepper level, cheese amount, or add fresh parsley for brightness—this recipe invites you to make it your own.

A shiny silver pan with two handles holds creamy spaghetti mixed with small pieces of cooked bacon and sprinkled with chopped green herbs and black pepper. The long pasta strands are coated evenly with a light yellow sauce, and the pan sits on a white marbled surface, showing some bits of sauce stuck to the pan edge. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Easy Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe plays an essential role. The balance between smoky bacon, sharp Parmesan, and silky eggs makes the dish pop. When shopping, aim for quality Parmesan and fresh eggs—they really elevate the flavors here.

Flat lay of crispy strips of fresh uncooked bacon, two whole uncracked brown garlic cloves, a nest of uncooked spaghetti, three large whole white eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl filled with finely grated Parmesan cheese, a small white bowl of freshly cracked black peppercorns, a small white bowl of coarse sea salt, and a small bunch of vibrant fresh parsley leaves, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Bacon: Using bacon adds smokiness and crisp texture; I like to cut it small so every bite has some.
Garlic: Sautéing garlic gently brings out its sweetness without overpowering the dish.
Spaghetti: Classic pasta choice here; cook al dente to hold up against the creamy sauce.
Eggs: The base of the sauce—fresh and large eggs ensure a rich, silky consistency.
Parmesan Cheese: Grated Parmesan adds saltiness and depth; reserve some to sprinkle on top.
Black Pepper: Freshly cracked pepper is a must for that signature carbonara kick.
Salt: Used sparingly in pasta water and adjusted at the end to avoid over-salting.
Fresh Parsley (optional): Adds a fresh, herbal note and pretty pop of green if you want to garnish.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

Over time, I’ve found a couple of tweaks that make this Easy Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe fit my mood perfectly, and I encourage you to play around too. Whether you like it a little peppery or extra cheesy, personalization is part of the fun.

Vegetarian Variation: I sometimes swap crispy mushrooms or smoked paprika-roasted chickpeas instead of bacon for a smoky, meat-free touch.
Cheese Swap: Mixing in Pecorino Romano with Parmesan gives a sharper flavor kick if you prefer a bit more bite.
Fresh Herbs: Fresh basil or oregano add a different herbal note if parsley isn’t your favorite.
Spice It Up: Adding red chili flakes brings a nice warmth, a twist I use when craving a little heat.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe

Step 1: Get Your Pasta Water Boiling and Bacon Crisping

Start by filling your biggest pot with water and a generous pinch of salt—don’t go overboard just yet, you can always adjust later. Put a lid on to speed up the boil while working on the bacon. Chop your bacon into small pieces, then cook them over medium-low heat in a large skillet until golden and crispy. Take your time here because those rendered bits are flavor gold—don’t toss them! Remove the bacon, lower the heat to low, and add minced garlic to the skillet, cooking just until fragrant (about a minute). This creates a delicious garlicky base without burning the garlic.

Step 2: Whisk Your Sauce Mixture with Love

While the water is boiling and the bacon is crisping, whisk together the eggs, half your Parmesan, and a generous helping of freshly cracked black pepper in a medium bowl. I like to make sure this mixture is very smooth and well combined—that way, your sauce will be creamy, not lumpy. This simple mixture is the heart of carbonara sauce, so don’t skip the pepper here; it adds that classic bite.

Step 3: Cook Pasta & Save Some Magic Water

By now, your water should be at a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente—firm to the bite but not crunchy. This is crucial because the pasta will continue absorbing sauce after you drain it. Be sure to scoop out a cup of the starchy pasta water before draining; that water is pure gold for loosening your sauce if it gets too thick.

Step 4: Bring It All Together in the Skillet

Pour about a quarter cup of the reserved pasta water into your warm skillet (where the garlic and bacon were). Stir it around to dissolve all those yummy browned bits stuck to the pan—that’s flavor you don’t want to miss. Toss the hot, drained pasta right into the pan and stir it to coat everything in that bacon-infused liquid.

Step 5: Create the Creamy Carbonara Sauce

Now here’s the kitchen magic: pour your egg-Parmesan mixture over the hot pasta and immediately start tossing or stirring vigorously. The residual heat cooks the eggs gently, turning it into a luxuriously creamy sauce without scrambling. If you see any sticking or clumping, add tiny splashes of your reserved pasta water until it smooths out. This step is where many folks stumble, so keep the pasta moving and work quickly for the best results!

Step 6: Finish With Cheese, Bacon, and a Pinch of Parsley

Add the remaining Parmesan, the crispy bacon pieces, and some more cracked black pepper. Toss everything once more so all those flavors blend perfectly. Lastly, sprinkle with a handful of fresh parsley for a lovely color and fresh flavor contrast. Taste and adjust salt if you think it needs a little something extra.

Top Tip

From my many attempts to perfect this Easy Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe, a few little tips made all the difference in getting that perfect creamy sauce without scrambling the eggs.

Temperature Control: Always toss the egg mixture with the hot pasta off the direct heat to prevent scrambled eggs.
Reserved Pasta Water: This starchy water helps loosen the sauce beautifully—don’t skip saving a cup!
Freshly Cracked Pepper: It makes a night-and-day difference compared to pre-ground pepper; add it generously.
Work Quickly: Tossing fast keeps the eggs silky; if you wait too long, the sauce might turn grainy.

How to Serve Easy Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe

Spaghetti Carbonara - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love finishing my carbonara with a generous sprinkle of extra Parmesan and freshly cracked black pepper—sometimes I even add a few lemon zest shreds for a surprise zing. Fresh parsley is optional, but it brightens up the plate and cuts through the richness. If you want extra indulgence, a drizzle of good olive oil over the top never hurts.

Side Dishes

Pair this dish with a crisp green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette—something like arugula with lemon and olive oil works beautifully. Garlic bread or a warm crusty baguette also complements the creamy pasta perfectly, soaking up every last bit of sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, I’ve served carbonara in shallow bowls with fresh herbs and a twist of black pepper artfully sprinkled—simple yet elegant. Another idea is to plate it alongside roasted veggies for colorful contrast, making it perfect for impressing guests without added fuss.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftover carbonara in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Because the sauce is egg-based, it’s best to eat it fairly soon, but it reheats well when done carefully.

Freezing

I don’t usually freeze carbonara because the sauce can change texture once thawed, turning a bit grainy or watery. If you really want to freeze it, separate the pasta and sauce and freeze them individually, then reheat and combine gently.

Reheating

For reheating, I add a splash of warm water or milk to the pasta in a pan over medium-low heat, stirring gently to bring back creaminess without drying out or scrambling the eggs. The microwave can work too, but be sure to stir often to prevent uneven heating.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use pancetta instead of bacon?

Absolutely! Pancetta is actually the traditional Italian choice for carbonara and offers a slightly different but equally delicious flavor. Just cook it the same way you would bacon, until crisp.

Why don’t we use cream in this carbonara recipe?

Traditional carbonara relies on the eggs and cheese to create a creamy sauce, without adding cream. Using cream changes the texture and richness, making it a different dish. The key to creaminess here is temperature control and tossing the pasta quickly with the egg mixture.

How can I prevent the eggs from scrambling?

The trick is to remove the skillet from direct heat before adding the egg mixture and to toss or stir the pasta quickly. The residual heat cooks the eggs gently. Adding some reserved pasta water helps achieve a smooth sauce and stops the eggs from cooking too fast.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Yes! Just swap the spaghetti for your favorite gluten-free pasta variety. Cooking times may vary, so keep an eye on the pasta to ensure it’s al dente. The rest of the recipe remains exactly the same.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe feels like a hug on a plate every time I make it. It’s comfort food that doesn’t complicate your kitchen life, and with a few simple ingredients, you get that silky, flavorful sauce that keeps everyone asking for seconds. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do—it’s one of those dishes that just warms up your heart and the whole kitchen.