One Pot Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe

This One Pot Spaghetti Carbonara is so rich and creamy, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with plain old pasta. Packed with bacon and peas, this dish is an easy twist on the classic Italian comfort food, and the best part? It’s ready to dazzle your taste buds in under 30 minutes and all you need is just a handful of ingredients. You’ll have dinner stealing the spotlight in nearly no time! Serve it solo or with your favorite culinary accomplices on the side.

Why We Love This One Pot Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe

Here at Food Dolls, rejecting a tempting one-pot pasta dish is like trying to resist a sale on shoes – practically impossible! One-pot pastas are weekly staples in our homes — they’re game changers when it comes to getting dinner on the table. In fact, we love them so much that we even created a roundup of our top 5 options! However, we might need to revise it and add this recipe to the list. Creamy and comforting, this dish is basically the culinary equivalent of a cozy hug. It’s also: 

• Cooked in one pot for easy cleanup
• Ready in less than 30 minutes
• Loaded with a good balance of protein, fats, and carbs for a filling meal
• Great for feeding a crowd
• Freezer-friendly and perfect for meal prep

What Is Carbonara? 

If you’re unfamiliar, carbonara is a popular Italian pasta dish that originated in Rome and features a creamy sauce that includes cured pork, garlic, cheese, and eggs. The sauce is typically cooked separately and then tossed with spaghetti noodles to create the classic dish. 

What’s the Difference Between Carbonara and Spaghetti? 

Although often confused, carbonara and spaghetti are not the same things. You see, carbonara is a type of sauce that is most commonly paired with cooked spaghetti noodles to create spaghetti alla carbonara, also known as spaghetti carbonara. 

Meanwhile, spaghetti is a type of long, thin pasta noodle used to form the base of many dishes like spaghetti arrabbiata and one pot parmesan pasta. 

Is Carbonara the Same as Alfredo? 

If helpful, you can think of carbonara as a type of elevated alfredo. However, the two are not the same. You see, alfredo is a fairly basic sauce that consists of cream, Parmesan, and parsley. 

Featuring the same ingredients, carbonara is a more complex sauce and also contains pork such as pancetta or bacon, garlic, egg yolks, and more. Classic Italian carbonara does not contain cream, but some other versions, like this one, do. 

Ingredients You’ll Need

Just a handful of ingredients will create the creamiest, most mouthwatering pasta you’ll ever taste. Here’s what you’ll need: 

• Unsalted Butter – This is used to coat the bottom of the pot, preventing the rest of the ingredients from sticking while also allowing for easy sautéeing and a richer taste. 
• Bacon – We used turkey bacon, but regular bacon can be used, too. 
• Seasonings – Garlic, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper, create the most incredible taste. 
• Spaghetti – Make sure you use uncooked spaghetti noodles. If needed, gluten-free spaghetti works just as well! 
• Broth – Using low-sodium chicken broth is our secret to creating the absolute best spaghetti carbonara. As the noodles cook, they absorb the broth for an even better taste. 
• Egg Yolks – Used to form the carbonara sauce, egg yolks add rich flavor and help bind the fat from the bacon and cream to the noodles. 
• Heavy Cream – The base of the sauce, heavy cream, like egg yolks, help hold everything together so every bite of spaghetti is loaded with creamy carbonara sauce. 
• Peas – These add a nice pop of color, a bit of extra crunch, and fiber to help keep you full! 
• Parmesan Cheese – For the best carbonara, we recommend using freshly grated Parmesan cheese. 

How to Make Carbonara Spaghetti

A common belief about spaghetti carbonara recipes is that they’re hard to make. However, we managed to replicate all the traditional flavor with the ease of a one-pot recipe. You won’t believe how easy it is to make! Take a look at an overview below, and scroll down to the recipe card below for the full details. 

1. Melt the butter in a saucepan or Dutch oven. 
2. Cook the bacon until crispy, and set it aside. 
3. Add the garlic and seasonings, and cook until soft and translucent. 
4. Place the spaghetti and broth in the pot. Then, cover, and cook to al dente. 
5. While the pasta cooks, whisk the egg yolks and cream. 
6. Once the spaghetti has cooked, pour the mixture into the pot. 
7. Add bacon, peas, and Parmesan. 
8. Mix to combine, and remove from the heat to allow the carbonara sauce to thicken. 
9. Serve hot topped with extra Parmesan cheese! 

Storage & Reheating Options

If you’re looking for an easy make-ahead pasta recipe, you’re in luck! This spaghetti carbonara can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Or, keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months! If you plan on freezing your carbonara, we recommend keeping the spaghetti separate from the sauce. This allows for easier reheating and prevents your spaghetti from overcooking. 

When you’re ready to eat, just reheat thawed carbonara in the microwave or in a small saucepan on the stove. If the sauce looks a bit dry, freshen it up with a splash of broth, and mix to combine. 

Serving Suggestions

This spaghetti carbonara can hold its own and leave you feeling fully satisfied. But you can totally take it up a notch by pairing it with one of these fabulous sides:

• Cheesy Garlic Bread
• Green Goddess Salad
• Hummus with Roasted Tomatoes and Olives
• Whipped Goat Cheese with Strawberries

More One Pot Pasta Recipes

If you’re hooked on one-pot wonders like we are, check out more of our simple favorites that let flavor take center stage. Because why complicate things when you can embrace the magic of one-pot perfection?  

• Loaded with veggies and bursting with cheesy flavor, this One Pot Veggie Pasta is so good the kids won’t catch onto the fact that it’s healthy! 
• Nourishing, refreshing, and every bit as flavorful as it is vibrant, this One Pot Greek Couscous is a family-favorite dish. 
• This One Pot Cajun Pasta is a high-protein powerhouse, loaded with veggies, and the best part? It’s quicker to make than deciding what to watch on streaming.
• Everything you love about lasagna with half the work, this One Pot Lasagna is ready in just 15 minutes!