Gnocchi Carbonara with Bacon (Printable)

Pillowy potato gnocchi in creamy carbonara sauce with crispy bacon and Parmesan cheese

# What You Need:

→ Gnocchi

01 - 1.1 lb potato gnocchi (store-bought or homemade)

→ Carbonara Sauce

02 - 2 large eggs
03 - 1 large egg yolk
04 - 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
05 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
06 - 1/4 tsp salt

→ Bacon

07 - 5 oz bacon or pancetta, diced

→ Garnish

08 - Extra Parmesan, for serving
09 - Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

# Steps:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
02 - In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg yolk, grated Parmesan, black pepper, and salt until smooth. Set aside.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the diced bacon until crispy, about 5–7 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet.
04 - Cook the gnocchi in the boiling water according to package instructions, usually until they float to the surface (2–3 minutes). Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the gnocchi.
05 - Add the drained gnocchi to the skillet with bacon and toss over low heat to coat in the bacon fat.
06 - Remove the skillet from the heat. Quickly pour the egg and Parmesan mixture over the gnocchi, tossing constantly to create a creamy sauce. Add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if needed to reach desired consistency.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and chopped parsley if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sauce comes together in mere seconds but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
  • Store bought gnocchi transforms into something restaurant worthy with minimal effort
02 -
  • Removing the skillet from heat before adding eggs is the only way to prevent scrambled eggs in your pasta
  • The pasta water is not optional, it is the secret ingredient that brings everything together into a cohesive sauce
03 -
  • Room temperature eggs blend more smoothly into the hot pasta without seizing up
  • Work quickly once the egg mixture hits the pan, confidence is your best ingredient here

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