Spaghetti alla Carbonara with Ham is a fast and easy pasta dinner for busy weeknights. Spaghetti noodles are tossed with crispy bacon, ham and creamy Parmesan sauce.
Easy pasta dinner is my go-to on busy days. My Tuscan Chicken Pasta, Spinach Dip Chicken Pasta or Fettuccine Alfredo are always a hit.
One of the easiest pasta dishes is hands down Spaghetti alla Carbonara. It's quick, easy and absolutely delicious! Cooked spaghetti noodles are tossed with crispy bacon (or ) and ham. Then a simple mixture of eggs and grated Parmesan cheese is vigorously whisked into the still hot pasta to create a creamy sauce. This pasta dish is rich and flavorful! This Spaghetti alla Carbonara is a must to have in your recipe box. It's perfect for busy family weeknights as well as date nights at home or dinners with friends. Serve with simple salad and breadsticks for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients:
- spaghetti noodles
- olive oil
- bacon
- ham
- garlic
- butter
- egg
- Parmesan cheese
- salt and pepper
How to make Spaghetti alla Carbonara?
- Start by cooking spaghetti in a pot with lid, according to the instructions on the box. When done, reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta. Keep warm.
- In a skillet, heat up olive oil. Add bacon and chopped ham and cook until crispy. Add garlic and saute for 1 minute. Add one tablespoon of butter and let melt. Add cooked spaghetti to skillet and toss well with bacon and ham.
- In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together egg and Parmesan. Slowly add to pasta, whisking vigorously so the egg won't scramble. Add pasta water, a little bit at a time, whisking well. It should turn into a creamy sauce. Season dish with black pepper, chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese.
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Storing and reheating:
This pasta dish can be made a day ahead and reheated when needed. However, since the bacon is cooked to crispy, it will lose it's texture if you keep the dish overnight in the fridge.
To reheat spaghetti carbonara, place the pasta in a skillet and stir over medium heat until heated through. The sauce will absorb into the noodles as the pasta sits in the fridge so you may need to add more pasta water or chicken stock.
More easy pasta recipes:
- Mushroom Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo
- Tuscan Chicken Pasta
- Spinach Dip Chicken Pasta
- Baked Gnocchi with Sausage
If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out and leave a comment!
Spaghetti alla Carbonara with Ham recipe
Ingredients
- 8 oz spaghetti noodles
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 slices of bacon chopped
- 1.5 cups chopped cooked ham
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 large egg
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- chopped parsley
Instructions
- Start by cooking spaghetti in a pot with lid, according to the instructions on the box. When done, reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta. Keep warm.
- In a skillet, heat up olive oil. Add bacon and chopped ham and cook until crispy. Add garlic and saute for 1 minute. Add one tablespoon of butter and let melt. Add cooked spaghetti to skillet and toss well with bacon and ham.
- In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together egg and Parmesan. Slowly add to pasta, whisking vigorously so the egg won't scramble. Add pasta water, a little bit at a time, whisking well. It should turn into a creamy sauce. Season dish with black pepper, chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese.
Jola says
My daughter's favorite pasta.
Chris says
I love your quick and express recipes. The pasta is amazing. I make it often.
Jeanette says
I did not make the recipe quite as is due to what we had in our fridge, but it turned out delicious with using as a starting point. Since we had 12 oz of bucatini I scaled up the meats and added some almost caramelized onions and sautéed zucchini as well so ended up doubling the sauce to account for the extra extras. Thank you for this great idea!