Indulge in the classic comfort of Pasta Carbonara with Ham, a creamy Italian-inspired dish brimming with rich flavors and hearty textures. This easy-to-make recipe combines tender spaghetti with savory cubes of cooked ham and a luscious egg yolk and Parmesan sauce that's lightly infused with garlic. A touch of reserved pasta water brings the sauce together for a silky finish, while a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper adds just the right amount of kick. Perfect for a quick yet indulgent 25-minute meal, this dish serves four and is an ideal choice for weeknight dinners or impressive entertaining. Don't forget to garnish with extra Parmesan for that irresistible cheesy touch!
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente according to the package instructions. Reserve 120 milliliters of pasta water, then drain the spaghetti.
While the pasta is cooking, dice the cooked ham into small cubes and finely chop the garlic cloves.
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and grated Parmesan cheese until smooth. Set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
Add the diced ham to the skillet and sauté for another 2-3 minutes until slightly browned. Reduce the heat to low.
Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss to combine with the ham and garlic.
Remove the skillet from the heat and quickly pour in the egg yolk and Parmesan mixture. Toss the pasta vigorously to coat, adding a splash of the reserved pasta water to create a creamy sauce.
Season with salt and black pepper, adjusting to taste.
Serve immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese and a twist of freshly ground black pepper, if desired.
Calories |
1573 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 74.9 g | 96% | |
| Saturated Fat | 25.1 g | 126% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 881 mg | 294% | |
| Sodium | 4735 mg | 206% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 133.0 g | 48% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 7.6 g | 27% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.2 g | ||
| Protein | 87.6 g | 175% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.8 mcg | 9% | |
| Calcium | 699 mg | 54% | |
| Iron | 10.3 mg | 57% | |
| Potassium | 748 mg | 16% | |
*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.