Easy Spaghetti Carbonara

Easy Spaghetti Carbonara

Have you ever had a carbonara disaster? If you’re not watching closely, it is so easy to overcook the sauce and get a scrambled egg mess! With the microwave, this recipe could not be easier — it’s just like magic. Cook the pasta directly in the microwave and use the leftover pasta water to start the silky smooth sauce. (You don't even need to drain it!) Anyday’s unique silicone-lined lid traps in residual heat, emulsifying this decadent dish all in one bowl.

All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwaves and home kitchens to make sure they work — and work well.

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Select your microwave wattage in the dropdown. The cook times in this recipe will automatically change accordingly.

To find your microwave’s wattage, look at the front panel, the side of the door, in the back, in the user manual, or Google the model number. If both an input and output wattage are listed, use the output.

Wattage translates to how powerful the microwave is. The higher the wattage, the faster your food will cook. The lower the wattage, the longer the cook time.

When in doubt, start with less time — you can always add more.

1000w

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Product Size

  • Small Dish
  • Medium Shallow
  • Large Shallow
  • Medium Deep
  • Large Deep

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

15 mins

Free Time

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Ingredients

  • 3 oz bacon or guanciale, sliced into 1/4-inch pieces
  • 6 oz spaghetti, broken in half
  • cups water
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • cup (30g) grated parmesan cheese
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Preparation

  1. Cook the bacon: In a single layer, add bacon as you can fit in the Anyday Shallow dish. Cut the bacon strips in half to fit more in the dish. Cover with lid (knob lifted) and cook in the microwave for 4-5 minutes, or until the bacon fat is rendered and the bacon is just beginning to crisp.
  2. Add spaghetti, water, and salt to an Anyday Deep dish. Cook in the microwave uncovered for 11 minutes, or until spaghetti is al dente with a very slight bite. You should have about 2-4 tablespoons of leftover water. Do not drain! This pasta water is essential to the texture of the sauce.
  3. While the pasta cooks, mix together eggs, egg yolks, parmesan cheese, and black pepper in a separate bowl.
  4. When the pasta is ready, add bacon and bacon fat and stir vigorously. Add cheese and egg mixture to the spaghetti and immediately toss again until the pasta is well-coated and sauce is silky and glossy.
  5. Serve immediately with more parmesan, if desired. Pasta will continue to absorb liquid as it sits. If pasta looks dry, add 2 tablespoons of hot water at a time and toss again. 

Serving suggestions & tips

  • Add pesto before serving for an aromatic and delicious twist.
  • Add some veggies! Frozen peas or spinach complement this rich dish.
  • Cook sliced mushrooms with the guanciale or bacon for extra umami.
  • Keep it vegetarian by replacing the bacon with sliced mushrooms.