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Creamy Asparagus and Bacon Carbonara

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A quick and easy creamy carbonara featuring fresh asparagus and smoky bacon, perfect for a comforting yet fresh dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz (225 g) spaghetti
  • 1 bunch asparagus (about 12 oz / 340 g), trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (100 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: red pepper flakes, fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup (240 ml) pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add bacon and cook until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Remove bacon, drain on paper towels, and crumble once cooled. Leave about 1 tbsp of bacon fat in the pan.
  3. In the same skillet with bacon fat, add olive oil and minced garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, then add asparagus pieces. Cook 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp and bright green. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  4. In a bowl, whisk together eggs and Parmesan cheese until smooth and creamy. Add freshly ground black pepper generously. Do not cook this mixture directly.
  5. Add drained spaghetti to the skillet with asparagus (heat off or very low). Quickly pour egg and cheese mixture over pasta, tossing vigorously to coat. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time (about 1/4 cup or 60 ml) until sauce is creamy. Toss in crumbled bacon and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

Notes

Use room temperature eggs to reduce scrambling risk. Work quickly when combining pasta and egg mixture. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Freshly grated Parmesan is best. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta. For vegetarian, substitute bacon with smoked mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes.

Nutrition

Keywords: carbonara, asparagus, bacon, creamy pasta, easy dinner, quick recipe, family meal, spring vegetables

Find it online: https://rowanrecipes.com/creamy-asparagus-and-bacon-carbonara-recipe-easy-5-step-perfect-dinner/