Gnocchi Carbonara

I learned how to make Carbonara years ago and it has been been one of our “go to” base recipes for the past few years. It is a super easy meal that comes together quickly. Which means it is a great recipe for when we’re busy but want something comforting and delicious.

Ingredients:
16 ounces gnocchi
6 strips bacon
3 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup green peas
1 T chopped fresh parsley

Instructions:
Cut bacon into 1 inch pieces.*
Cook bacon on stove top over medium heat until crispy.
Set aside about 2-3 tablespoons of bacon grease.
Then chop bacon into bacon bits.
In a medium bowl, beat the eggs with half the Parmesan and parsley. Season with pepper. Set aside.
Boil a large pot of salted water.
Add the gnocchi and bring it back to a boil.
Cook until the gnocchi are floating on top of the water.
Drain and Reserve 1 cup of the gnocchi water (DON’T FORGET THIS)**
Pour about 2 tablespoon of bacon fat from the pan into a large pot and heat to medium heat.
Add the cooked gnocchi and toss to coat in the bacon fat.
Turn off the heat and add the egg mixture.
Toss gently to coat the pasta and cook the eggs. Toss in the chopped bacon. Toss in the peas.
Toss everything together and let cook for 2-3 minutes.
If the sauce is too thick, add the pasta water 1/4 cup at a time until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Serve with the remaining cheese.

Notes:
*I find that cutting the bacon into 1 inch pieces helps it cook faster.
**If you forget to save the pasta water before you drain it, have no fear. You can heat 1 cup of water on the stove or in the microwave and stir in ¼ teaspoon corn starch and ¼ teaspoon of salt into the water to create a fake starchy pasta water substitute.

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