Pasta is a great dish to make if you’re having a bunch of people over for dinner. It’s cheap, easy and everybody likes it. But while it can be really tempting, heating up a jar of tomato sauce doesn’t always cut it. Making carbonara will add something different to your pasta dinners and will definitely impress your friends. It only takes less half an hour to make, so there’s no reason to resort back to your ole jar of tomato sauce!

Level: Medium

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients:
1 pound pasta, cooked al dente
1/2 pound bacon, chopped
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
4 large eggs, beaten
1 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves (for garnish)
Salt
Ground black pepper

Photo by Alia Wilhelm

Directions:
1. Place a large pan over medium heat and cook bacon until crispy, about 6 minutes.  Place bacon on paper towels to absorb excess oil.

Photo by Alia Wilhelm

Photo by Alia Wilhelm

2. Discard leftover bacon grease in pan except for 3 tablespoons.
3. Add the garlic, season with black pepper and sauté for 30 seconds.
4. Add the crispy bacon and the pasta (already cooked). Sauté for 1 minute.

Photo by Alia Wilhelm

5. In a separate bowl, season the beaten eggs with salt.
6. Remove the pan from the heat and add the eggs, whisking quickly until the eggs thicken, but do not scramble.
7. Add the cheese and re-season with salt and pepper.
8. Mound into serving bowls and garnish with parsley.