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Our Favorite Loaded Pasta Carbonara
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Our Favorite Loaded Pasta Carbonara

Our Favorite Loaded Pasta Carbonara is a tasty dish that's hugely popular. Tender chicken, crispy bacon and vegetables coated in a creamy, cheese sauce how could it not be? It may take a few minutes to make, but the results are worth it!
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Keyword carbonara, dinner idea, easy recipe, pasta

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • saucepan

Ingredients

  • 1 pound bacon, pancetta or ham, cooked, diced
  • 4 chicken breast, boneless, skinless, cut into 1 inch chunks
  • 1 medium onion, chopped or sliced
  • 1 cup peppers, any color, cored, seeded, sliced or chopped
  • ¾ cup carrots, shredded
  • 1 pound mushrooms, fresh, sliced
  • 3 cups Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup white wine or chicken broth
  • salt - to taste
  • pepper - to taste
  • 6 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
  • 1 pound pasta, your favorite variety
  • 2 tablespoons parsley, fresh, chopped
  • ½ - 1 teaspoon chili paste (sambal olek) a little heat, if desired

Instructions

  • Prepare pasta of your choice according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup of cooking water. Drain and set aside.
  • In a large skillet, cook bacon or pancetta until crispy Drain on paper towel and set aside.
  • Pour bacon fat into a small bowl and leave some of the bacon fat in the skillet. Maybe a few tablespoons.
  • If using ham or pancetta skip this step because you won't have enough fat in your skillet.
  • Heat a tablespoon or two of oil until it shimmers or a drop of water flicked in it dances.
  • Rinse and pat chicken dry with paper towel and sprinkle salt and pepper all over chicken.
  • Cook chicken in bacon fat or in oil until browned and no longer pink inside; 4 or 5 minutes.
  • Transfer chicken to paper towel-lined plate and set aside.
  • Add mushrooms and onions to skillet. Cook until tender.
  • Add more bacon fat if you need to or if you prefer heat up some oil to cook your mushrooms and onions.
  • Then add garlic, chili paste (if using), parsley, carrots and peppers.
  • Stir to combine. Add wine or broth and simmer until it thickens; just a few minutes.
  • Whisk eggs and cheese together in a large pot.
  • Slowly pour skillet mixture into egg mixture.
  • Add pasta, chicken and bacon, pancetta or ham to the pot.
  • Toss until well-coated.
  • Add reserved pasta water, if needed to thin the sauce.
  • Taste and season with salt and pepper.
  • Serve immediately and enjoy!