Garlic Bread Carbonara

Time for February's Improv Cooking Challenge!

The theme for this month is bread and butter. I wanted to try and think of something outside the box to create for this challenge.  Ron and I have really been enjoying carbonara since I made Nigella's recipe for an Improv Cooking Challenge a few months ago.  I drew inspiration from one of my favorite bread and butter combos: cheesy garlic bread.  Garlic bread is a staple for Kellen, Ron and I with almost any pasta dinner. We absolutely adore it and, I thought, why not make it into a pasta? 

I made some adjustments to a typical carbonara recipe by slightly increasing the cheese, adding garlic to the wine reduction and topping it with crispy buttery garlic bread crumbs.  This recipe was a hit at our house and Ron even told me that I should make this version from now on.  I think the bread crumbs add that extra special touch to the pasta. I had never experimented with bread crumbs and pasta, but I know see why it is so popular!  Carbonara lover or a bread & butter lover- this recipe is amazing! 

If you want to join the Improv Cooking Challenge visit Kristen of Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker for details!

Ingredients

1 lb spaghetti

1 lb bacon, cut into 1/2 in- 3/4 inch pieces

1 small white onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup dry white wine

2/3 cup fresh Parmesan

4 eggs

1/4 milk (I use 2%, but you could use cream if you prefer)

for bread crumbs:

1/2 stick butter, melted

1 1/2 cup bread crumbs

1 Tbl. garlic powder

Instructions

Pre-heat oven to  350 degrees. Toss bread crumbs with melted butter and garlic powder.  Spread evenly on a lined baking sheet. Set aside. 

Place bacon in a large rimmed skillet and saute till semi-crisp. 

While bacon cooks, cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside. 

In a medium bowl, whisk together cheese, eggs and milk. Set aside. 

Add white wine to the skillet with the bacon. Allow it to gently simmer and reduce for about 10 minutes. Add garlic and saute for an additional 2 minutes. 

While garlic cooks, place bread crumbs in the oven 2-3 minutes or until crispy. 

Add pasta to bacon mixture and toss. Remove from heat and add the egg mixtures while quickly tossing the pasta. 

Plate pasta and top  with crispy garlic bred crumbs. 

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