About the Recipe
Ingredients
1 lb. bacon
1 Tbsp black pepper (freshly cracked)
1 Tbsp salt
4 whole eggs plus 2 egg yolks
1 cup grated parmesan
1 lb. fettucine
Preparation
Cut up the bacon to small chunks ~1/4 inch wide.
Place bacon in a deep sauté pan (unheated). Add water to cover the bottom of the pan.
Turn on the stove burner to medium heat. Stir every few minutes.
Let the water cook off and bacon brown. Don't drain the pan.
Fill a large pot with water and salt, leaving plenty of room for the pasta and water to boil. Bring to a boil while the bacon cooks.
In a large mixing bowl, add the black pepper, eggs, and egg yolks. Mix until well combined.
Add the parmesan to the pepper and eggs. Stir to combine.
When the bacon appears crispy (as crispy as you like it), turn off the pan. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and place on a plate lined with paper towels. Let the pan cool, about five minutes.
Add about one Tbsp (or more as desired) of bacon grease to the egg mixture, stirring as you add. Keep stirring for about 30 seconds to combine and prevent the grease from cooking the eggs.
When the water begins to boil, add the pasta and cook until done about 7-8 minutes (follow the directions according to your brand of pasta).
When the pasta releases its starch (it will look like it is going to boil over), grab a coffee mug and carefully pull out a mugful of pasta water. Set aside.
When the pasta is finished cooking to al dente (or your desired level of firmness), drain the pasta.
Pour the egg mixture over the pasta. Quickly mix and toss with tongs until well combined.
The sauce that forms should have a nice sheen and lightly creamy texture. If not, add a splash of pasta water and toss to combine. You want a light creamy texture but not a watery consistency.
Mix in most of the bacon, reserving a small amount for garnish.
Plate a portion of pasta. Sprinkle bacon on top. Garnish with more parmesan and black pepper to your liking.
Note from the Chef - Feel free to add garlic or red pepper flakes for more flavor. You can use Guanciale (pig cheek) or Pancetta instead of bacon. Please do not add cream cheese, ham, prosciutto, or peas because that's gross.