Description
Beef Carbonara is a creamy, savory pasta dish featuring perfectly cooked spaghetti tossed in a rich egg and cheese sauce with flavorful ground beef and a hint of garlic and onion. This comforting recipe brings a satisfying twist to classic carbonara, making it an ideal meal for any dinner.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Pasta
- 1 lb spaghetti
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup sweet onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
Sauce
- 2 whole eggs
- 4 egg yolks
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese
Other
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti until al dente according to package instructions, then drain while reserving about 1 cup of the pasta water. Keep the pasta water warm for mixing later.
- Cook Beef Mixture: Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion, cooking until the beef is browned and the onion is softened, approximately 7 to 10 minutes. Break up the beef as it cooks. Add the minced garlic during the last 30 seconds and stir to combine.
- Prepare Sauce: In a large bowl, whisk the whole eggs and egg yolks thoroughly until smooth. Incorporate the grated Parmesan and Pecorino Romano cheeses. Add 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water to the egg and cheese mixture and stir to create a creamy sauce.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Quickly add the hot drained spaghetti to the bowl with the egg mixture, gently tossing to coat the pasta evenly. Add additional reserved pasta water, little by little, until the sauce reaches the desired creamy consistency.
- Combine and Serve: Stir in the cooked ground beef and onion mixture with the pasta and sauce. Serve immediately while warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, gradually add reserved pasta water to the sauce to achieve the perfect texture.
- Use freshly grated cheese for the best flavor and smooth melting.
- Keep the pasta warm so the eggs cook gently without scrambling.
- You can substitute ground pork or turkey for the beef for a different flavor profile.
- Serve with a side of salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 455 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 233 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg
