Ready In 20 Minutes
Serves 8
Tags: Italian, Comfort Food, Classic, Easy, Weeknight Dinner
This classic Italian comfort food gets a modern spin with the smoky sweetness of Charqs Smok’n Tender Jerky. Little bits of the jerky bring pops of flavor that make this simply irresistible. This is fancy enough for entertaining guests, but easy enough for a satisfying weeknight family dinner.
Ingredients
2-3 slices thick-cut bacon, diced
¼ cup Charq’s Smoky Pork Jerky, chopped
1 pound spaghetti
5 large egg yolks
1 large egg
1 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
¾ tsp. crushed red pepper flake
2 tbsp. chopped parsley, to serve
Procedure
To cook the bacon and jerky: Cook the bacon and ½ of the jerky in a saute pan over medium low heat, 10-15 minutes, until the fat is rendered and the bacon is cooked through. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
To cook the pasta: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta until al dente (follow the package directions). Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water and drain.
To make the Carbonara: In a large bowl, whisk the egg yolks and egg with the cooked bacon and jerky. When the pasta is done cooking, add the pasta and ½ cup of the reserved pasta water. Add 2/3 cup of the grated cheese and the crushed red pepper flake. Toss well until creamy, for about 1 minute. The heat of the pasta and the cooking water will cook the egg to create a silky sauce. Add more reserved cooking water if needed. Season with salt and pepper and transfer to shallow bowls. Sprinkle with remaining jerky, cheese, and parsley. Serve immediately.
