Spaghetti alla Carbonara

I am so happy to have one of my favorite foodie friends grace us with one of her delicious recipes this week, especially with Valentine’s Day just around the corner… Paula from Bell’Alimento and all of her delicious Italian recipes are a sure way to celebrate and cook something romantic for that special someone.  I hope you all fall in love with her as much as I have. 😉

I HEART Paula!!!!!

Tasha

I am so honored that Natasha asked me to stop by That’s So Yummy again! In case you missed my Yummy Questionnaire I’m Paula and I blog at bell’alimento (Italian for beautiful food) is my foodblog filled with some of my most favorite authentic Italian dishes & few other yummy things peppered inbetween.  Natasha asked me to share a recipe with you and I immediately knew I wanted to share my hands down most favorite pasta dish in the world!

Yep hands down, no hesitating…It’s Spaghetti alla Carbonara and I could seriously eat it everyday and never tire of it. There’s just something about it, you’ll know it once you taste it!

Thanks again for letting me stop by! I feel like part of the family ; )

Baci e’ Buon Appetito!
Paula

Spaghetti alla Carbonara

1 package spaghetti
4 large cloves of fresh garlic -minced
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 package of pancetta OR bacon (cut into small pieces) – I use bacon because I find pancetta to be quite salty
2 large eggs -room temperature

kosher salt
1 1/2 cups freshly grated parmigiano reggiano cheese
freshly cracked black pepper
fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

In a large pasta pot add enough water to cook your pasta. Salt your water generously. Once water comes to a boil, add spaghetti & stir so that the pasta separates & cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. WHILE the spaghetti is cooking, in a large pan over medium heat add olive oil and cook bacon until fairly crisp (about 3-4 minutes), add in garlic and cook for another minute (you don’t want your garlic to burn) While these are cooking. Crack your eggs into a small bowl & add 1 cup of your cheese. Stir together & set aside. Take a ladel of the spaghetti water and set aside. Drain your pasta well and add to bacon mixture. Is is IMPORTANT that your pasta is HOT when adding it to the mixture. Toss well (I find tongs work really well for this). Take off of heat. Add in your cheese & egg mixture & toss well. If you find the mixture is too thick, you can thin it out with a little of the pasta water (remember you can always add more so add sparingly) Season well with pepper. Garnish with the remainder of your cheese & fresh parsley if you like. This dish is best eaten immediately.

Buon Appetito!