BLT Pasta Carbonara

4.4
(10)

The addition of summer tomatoes and spinach to this traditional dish brings things to a whole new level. The trick to the recipe is preparation, have all the ingredients ready to go as it comes together as quickly as it takes to boil the pasta.

4
4
4
Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
35 mins
Servings:
6
Yield:
6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • ½ pound sliced bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • 3 eggs

  • 1 egg yolk

  • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

  • 13 ½ ounces whole wheat elbow macaroni

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved

  • 1 bunch fresh spinach, stems removed and leaves torn into bite-sized pieces

Directions

  1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add bacon; cook, stirring occasionally until crisp and fat has rendered, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove bacon using a slotted spoon and set aside. Pour bacon fat into a small bowl and set aside, but do not wash the skillet.

  2. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.

  3. Mix Parmesan cheese, eggs, egg yolk, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper together in a bowl.

  4. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain into a colander set over a large, heatproof bowl. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water and pour the rest out, keeping the now-heated bowl in place.

  5. Return 1 teaspoon reserved bacon fat to the large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Cook 30 seconds more and add tomatoes. Cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through but not falling apart, about 5 minutes. Stir in spinach.

  6. Add cooked bacon, cooked tomato mixture, and cooked pasta to the heated bowl. Whisk 1/2 cup of the reserved cooking water into the egg mixture. Pour this over the pasta mixture in the bowl and toss for 3 minutes. Thin sauce if necessary by adding additional reserved cooking water. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately with additional Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

432 Calories
15g Fat
54g Carbs
24g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 432
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 15g 20%
Saturated Fat 6g 28%
Cholesterol 141mg 47%
Sodium 601mg 26%
Total Carbohydrate 54g 20%
Dietary Fiber 7g 25%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 24g
Vitamin C 26mg 130%
Calcium 251mg 19%
Iron 5mg 27%
Potassium 689mg 15%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

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