Desperation Spaghetti Carbonara

Name: Desperation Spaghetti Carbonara
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 pound dried spaghetti; 1 tablespoon (1/8 stick) unsalted butter; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese; 2 large eggs, beaten; Freshly ground black pepper; Kosher salt as needed

Spaghetti Italian Noodles Pasta Parmesan Vegetarian Butter Snack Weeknight Dinner Main Dish Easy

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Rate

4 servings Easy

Total: 20 mins Active: 10 mins

4 Ratings

Ingredients (7)

1 pound dried spaghetti
1 tablespoon (1/8 stick) unsalted butter
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
2 large eggs, beaten
Freshly ground black pepper
Kosher salt as needed

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Nutritional Information

Calories600
Fat16.55g
Saturated fat8.4g
Trans fat0.46g
Carbs86.06g
Fiber3.79g
Sugar3.22g
Protein24.9g
Cholesterol129.45mg
Sodium224.98mg
Nutritional Analysis per serving (4 servings) Powered by

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All you really need for this easy pasta recipe is a couple of eggs, a pound of spaghetti, a couple cloves of garlic, unsalted butter, and that block of parm hidden in the back of the fridge. This is the most stripped-down version of carbonara you’ll ever see, the thing I turn to when there’s nothing left in the fridge and I’m desperate. I’ve never made carbonara with pancetta or bacon; I threw in some peas once and that was nice. A sprinkle of chopped flat-leaf parsley on top? Sounds good if you have it.

See more super simple pasta recipes, and more easy dinners to make from pantry staples. Or, if you want to get a little more elaborate, try this Korean-Italian Spicy Carbonara Tteokbokki.

by Chris Rochelle

What to buy

Bialetti Pasta Pot with Strainer Lid, $34.99 on Amazon

No matter what kind of pasta you make, a pot with a built-in strainer makes draining it easy. It's handy for boiling potatoes and other veggies too.
See It ›

Instructions

1Bring a big pot of salted water to a boil and add the spaghetti.
2While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3Turn off the heat under the skillet. When the spaghetti is cooked al dente, drain it, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water.
4Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet and toss with the garlic and butter. Add half the cheese and, with metal tongs, toss until well coated, about 1 minute.
5Add the eggs and toss for 1 minute more.
6Add the remaining cheese, black pepper to taste, and enough of the reserved pasta cooking water to form a creamy sauce that clings to the noodles (I usually add about 1/4 cup). Taste and add a bit of salt if necessary.
7Toss again, about 1 minute. Serve immediately in warmed pasta bowls.