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 (your shopping list):
- spaghetti noodles
- olive oil
- bacon
- ham
- garlic
- butter
- egg
- Parmesan cheese
- salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Start by cooking spaghetti in a pot with lid, according to the instructions on the box. When done, reserve 1/2 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.
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:
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- 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
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- chopped parsley
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Start by cooking spaghetti in a pot with lid, according to the instructions on the box. When done, reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta. Keep warm.
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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.
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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.
Michelle Serpe says
I tried it and it was REALLY, REALLY good…. buttttt… I almost did not try it because of calling PASTA “spaghetti NOODLES.” They absolutely are not noodles. Noodles are German or Chinese, not Italian at all. I didn’t trust the recipe at first because it didn’t sound Italian with the word “noodles. ” Pasta is made with semolina flour and “noodles” are not. They are different and as long as you are calling this dish by the Italian name, go all the way: don’t use “noodles,” use “pasta.”
Anna says
Thank you, Michelle!
Bianca says
Wow! This was my first time making any kind of spaghetti carbonara, but this was very simple and easy, and tasted delicious. I used leftover Easter ham, and this was an excellent use of it! Thank you for the recipe!
Anna says
Fantastic! I am so glad it was a success! Thank you, Bianca!
Leah says
I made this recipe tonight with leftover Easter ham! Grated fresh Parmesan with some really fragrant garlic and parsley. It was delicious!!
Anna says
Perfect! Thank you, Leah!
Robert Mishacoff says
Just a great way for average cooks to add something that is reminiscent of your average tomato sauce and pasta recipe but which takes your family to a different take on the old standby. Added some chopped onions with the ham and bacon. Sooooo good.
Anna says
Thank you so much, Robert! I am so glad you enjoyed this carbonara!
Krista says
I love the ham in here! I love when I find a good ham recipe!
Rose says
I made this for dinner tonight. I must’ve done something wrong because I didn’t get the creamy sauce. Could it be because I used the parmesan cheese from the jar instead of fresh cheese? Regardless, it was really, really good. I’ll make it again (hopefully correctly next time!).
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Rose! If you used the green bottle Parmesan, then yes. It will not melt well. I actually do not recommend it at all since it contains cellulose. Also, try adding more pasta water next time. It will help make more sauce. Just a note: the sauce will not be like a regular Alfredo sauce, but the pasta should be creamy. Hope this helps!
Rose says
Thanks! I’ll be making it again this week…with the correct cheese!
Cathy says
The perfect way to use up leftover ham!
Catalina says
These spaghetti look divine! Now I know what I will have for dinner tonight!
Brandy O'Neill says
Looks and sounds amazing! Can’t wait to make this for dinner!
Taylor says
YUM!!!! So delicious…craving a big plate right now!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thanks, Taylor!
Jessica says
Oh my gosh this looks delicious! Thank you so much!
Erin says
Carbonara is always a hit and the ham is such a great addition. I am definitely using this for leftover ham after Easter too!
Natasha says
MMM MMM MMM this is one of my dad’s all time favorite dishes! Can’t wait to spoil him with this new recipe.
Chrissie Baker says
Excellent taste and easy to make. This recipe is definitely worth making.
Toni says
This was a huge hit for dinner!! So delsih!
Pam Dana says
This was so delicious! For sure going to make this again!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Yay! That’s awesome! Thanks, Pam!