Description
Ingredients
Scale
- 10 slices bacon , cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 8 1/2 cups water , divided
- 4 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 lb spaghetti or linguine
- 1 1/4 cups finely grated parmesan cheese , plus more for serving (2 oz)
- 3 large eggs
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tsp each salt and pepper , or to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley , for garnish
Instructions
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Add bacon and 1/2 cup of the water to a large non-stick skillet and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.
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Allow to simmer until water evaporates about 6 – 7 minutes, then reduce heat to medium-low and continue to cook until bacon is brown and crisp, about 6 – 8 minutes longer.
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Place a fine mesh strainer over a bowl then pour bacon into strainer while reserving about 1 tsp of the rendered fat in pan. Return pan to heat and saute garlic about 30 seconds, until fragrant and lightly golden.
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Pour into a medium mixing bowl then add 1 Tbsp rendered bacon fat (drippings in bowl set under strainer) to mixing bowl with garlic. Add eggs, egg yolk, parmesan and pepper to garlic mixture and whisk until well combined.
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Meanwhile, bring 8 cups of water to a boil in a large dutch oven (no more than 8 cups because you want a very starchy water for the sauce). Add spaghetti and salt to boiling water and cook until al dente. While pasta is boiling, set a colander in a large bowl.
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Carefully drain al dente pasta into colander in bowl, while reserving pasta water in bowl. Measure out 1 cup hot pasta water and discard remaining water. Immediately place pasta in now empty large bowl.
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Slowly pour and whisk 1/2 cup pasta water into egg mixture, then slowly pour mixture over pasta while tossing to coat. Add bacon and toss to combine. Season with salt if desired.
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Let pasta rest, tossing frequently, 2 – 4 minutes until sauce has thickened slightly and coats pasta. Thin with remaining 1/2 cup hot pasta water as needed. Serve immediately topped with additional parmesan and parsley.
Notes
- Use real Parmigiano Reggiano cheese for fresh flavor and only freshly grated. It will melt better and gives this dish a richer flavor. I like to use a zest to grate it. Slightly pack when measuring or use a kitchen scale.
- Be sure you immediately add the hot pasta water into the egg mixture to help cook it (if needed, you could even re-warm the water it in the microwave, but it needs to be very hot).
- If you want a thicker sauce another option I have tried is to toss the pasta with the sauce mixture in a large heat proof bowl set over a pot of simmering water, cooking for only about 1 minute or just until thickened nicely. Careful not to overdue it or it can be gluey.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 Servings
- Calories: 414
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 761mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 132mg