Imagine twirling your fork into a creamy, decadent pasta dish that not only satisfies your comfort food cravings but also offers a healthier spin on a beloved Italian classic. This Whole Wheat Spaghetti Carbonara is about to revolutionize your dinner routine, proving that nutritious eating doesn't mean sacrificing flavor or satisfaction. Get ready to discover a recipe that will make your taste buds dance and your body thank you!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 12 oz whole wheat spaghetti
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Add the whole wheat spaghetti to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions, typically 8-10 minutes, until the pasta is al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
- While the pasta cooks, prepare the carbonara sauce. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until well combined.
- In a large skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crisp and golden brown, about 5-6 minutes. Add minced garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Drain the cooked pasta and immediately transfer it to the skillet with bacon. Toss the pasta to coat with the bacon fat and garlic.
- Remove the skillet from heat and quickly pour the egg and cheese mixture over the hot pasta, stirring rapidly to prevent the eggs from scrambling. The residual heat will create a creamy sauce.
- If the sauce seems too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency, stirring continuously.
- Serve immediately, garnishing with additional grated Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper if desired.
Tips
- Always reserve pasta water before draining - it's liquid gold for creating the perfect sauce consistency.
- Work quickly when mixing eggs to prevent scrambling - the key is using residual heat to create a silky smooth sauce.
- Use high-quality Parmesan cheese for the most authentic and rich flavor.
- For extra crispiness, cook bacon until it's golden brown and slightly crisp.
- Serve immediately after preparing to enjoy the optimal texture and temperature.
- If you're watching calories, you can use turkey bacon as a leaner alternative.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute bacon with crispy mushrooms or smoked vegetarian bacon alternatives.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 480kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 250mg
