Pasta Carbonara For One
This single serving Pasta Carbonara is a rich, flavorful dish made with bacon, an egg, Parmesan, and spaghetti. It comes together in 20 minutes, giving you a classic Italian meal without extra ingredients or leftovers.
Servings: 1 serving
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese -plus more for topping
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- 1 strip thick bacon
- 2 ounces dry spaghetti (2-ounces of dry spaghetti is roughly the same diameter as a U.S. quarter coin.
- 1 clove garlic -sliced
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the egg mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, 1 tablespoon of Parmesan, salt, and black pepper. Set aside.
- Cook the bacon: In a medium skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- Cook the pasta: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.
- Sauté the garlic: Return the skillet to medium heat, leaving a little bacon drippings in the pan. Add the sliced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Toss in the hot pasta and stir for 30 seconds. Remove from heat.
- Make the sauce: Stir in a small amount of reserved pasta water to cool the skillet slightly. Once the sizzling stops, slowly pour in the egg mixture, stirring constantly to create a smooth sauce.The heat from the pasta will naturally thicken the eggs into a velvety coating.
- Adjust the consistency: Add more pasta water, a little at a time, until the sauce reaches your desired thickness.If needed, return the pan to low heat briefly, tossing until the sauce sets.
- Finish and serve: Crumble the bacon over the pasta and toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot with extra Parmesan and chopped parsley.
Video
Notes
- Have Everything Ready: This dish comes together fast, so prep all ingredients before you start cooking.
- Take the Skillet Off the Heat: Remove the pan before adding the egg mixture—the residual warmth will create a creamy sauce without scrambling the eggs.
- Use Hot Pasta: Freshly cooked pasta helps the sauce come together smoothly.
- Keep Stirring: Toss the pasta constantly to evenly coat it in the sauce.
- Add Pasta Water Slowly: You may not need all of it—add a little at a time until the sauce reaches the right consistency.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 406kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 191mg | Sodium: 370mg | Potassium: 126mg | Sugar: 2g
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