Easy Ham Carbonara
Indulge in the comforting flavors of this Easy Ham Carbonara, a quick and creamy pasta dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Featuring tender spaghetti, savory diced ham, and a rich, velvety sauce made from eggs, Parmesan cheese, and a touch of heavy cream, this recipe comes together in just 25 minutes. Lightly browned garlic adds depth, while freshly ground black pepper and an optional sprinkle of parsley enhance the taste. With simple ingredients and minimal prep, this ham carbonara delivers restaurant-quality flavor in the comfort of your home. Serve it piping hot with extra Parmesan for a truly irresistible meal that will become a family favorite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 g spaghetti
- 200 g ham (diced)
- 3 pieces large eggs
- 80 g Parmesan cheese (finely grated)
- 100 ml heavy cream
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 to taste salt
- 1 to taste black pepper (freshly ground)
- 1 tablespoon parsley (chopped, optional)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water and then drain the pasta.
While the pasta cooks, prepare the sauce mixture. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, grated Parmesan cheese, and heavy cream until smooth. Set aside.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and diced ham, and sauté for 2-3 minutes until the ham is lightly browned and fragrant.
Reduce the heat to low and add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the ham and garlic. Toss well to combine.
Remove the skillet from heat to avoid scrambling the eggs. Immediately pour the egg mixture over the pasta, stirring quickly to coat the spaghetti evenly. The residual heat will cook the eggs and create a creamy sauce.
If the sauce is too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
Season the carbonara with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Serve immediately, topped with extra grated Parmesan cheese if preferred.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2064 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 112.5 g | 144% | |
| Saturated Fat | 47.3 g | 236% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 806 mg | 269% | |
| Sodium | 6226 mg | 271% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 134.9 g | 49% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 7.5 g | 27% | |
| Total Sugars | 6.3 g | ||
| Protein | 114.0 g | 228% | |
| Vitamin D | 3.8 mcg | 19% | |
| Calcium | 1035 mg | 80% | |
| Iron | 11.1 mg | 62% | |
| Potassium | 974 mg | 21% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
