Pasta Carbonara

One of my families' favorite types of pasta, so very easy to make and full of flavor. Pasta Carbonana is made with Bacon, Egg, and Cheese. Mine is a bit different than other recipes, but this is the way I was taught to make it....still simple and easy.


1 lb. of your favorite type of pasta noodles, traditionally it is made with spaghetti, but I like Farfalle
1 package of bacon (you can use pancetta if you like) - chopped into 1/4 inch pieces.
1 small onion -chopped
2 eggs
1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese (grated or shredded)
2-3 leaves of fresh Sweet Basil (chopped) (1/2 teaspoon of dried)
pinch of sugar
dash of balsamic vinegar
2 T. of butter
2 T. of flour
About 1 1/2 cups Milk - I use whole Milk (you could use 2% or half and half, but I would't use anything less)
salt and pepper to taste
optional - 3/4 cup of fresh peas or 1 can

Boil water for pasta in your stock pot, remember to salt water, it boils hotter and cooks the noodles better. You should be able to complete all other steps in time it take for water to boil and cook pasta if you have 10 min. noodles, use cold tap water, and have pre-choped other ingredients.

In an medium mixing bowl combine 1 cup of milk, eggs, cheese, basil, beat until mixed and set off to the side.

In a skillet, fry bacon after chopping into small pieces. Get it nice and crispy, you will want that texture. Drain mostly but keep just a touch of the fat (about 1 T.) in the pan. Return skillet with a bit of fat back to burner and place onions in to saute and caramelize once they start to cook down add the pinch of sugar.  Onions and fat will deglaze the pan, if not fully add just a dash of balsamic vinegar and allow to cook down. Add back in bacon (peas too) and turn down to a low simmer.

In a medium sauce pan start a roux by melting butter over low heat. Add flour and stir constantly until combined, add egg mixture and let cook for about 30 seconds. Pour into skillet with bacon continue to let cook down, it will thicken as it simmers, add more milk if sauce becomes too thick. Add a little bit of salt and pepper to taste.

Drain pasta, combine sauce and pasta in your pasta serving dish and enjoy!