As a kid I remember my mom collecting all the advertisements from the Sunday paper and sitting down at the kitchen table to clip coupons. In they went into her big coupon book – an always important accessory at the grocery store, along with her shopping list.
You would think I’d have picked up a thing or two watching my mom coupon clip over the years but let me tell you – the one area I seem not to be frugal about is my groceries. Sure I know how to make a $10 and under meal, like this pasta carbonara here and do it often enough but I like what I like and I don’t always look at the price tag.
Of course not everyone has the luxury of spending what they want on groceries. I cook for two, so purchasing my organic, grass-fed, etc. . etc. . ingredients doesn’t cut into my wallet as much as a family of let’s say 5 or 6 does.
Cooking on a budget though definitely doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice taste or quality, #SundaySupper and our budget meals theme today is here to prove that to you. Budget cooking to me also means looking to what you have at home, I bet most of you have all the ingredients you need for this dish in your fridge/pantry. It’s why I love carbonara, bacon, eggs, cheese and pasta – cheap, comfort food at its best.
I like a saucy consistency with my carbonara sauce, if you prefer it to be a little tighter (not as saucy) omit the water from the recipe.
Ingredients
- 1lb fettuccine, linguine or spaghetti
- 4 ounces thick cut bacon, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
- 3 large eggs
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 cup grated parmigiano regianno cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook the pasta according to the packages directions.
- In a large saute pan on medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp and remove with a slotted spoon. Leave the bacon grease in the pan. Remove from heat.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, 1/2 cup parmigiano cheese, black pepper and cooked bacon.
- Drain the cooked pasta, reserving 1/4 cup of the water and immediately toss into the pan with the bacon grease. While stirring add the reserved water if you choose to do so.
- Continue to stir the pasta and slowly drizzle in the egg mixture, a thick sauce should start to coat the pasta at this time. Stir in the remaining amount of parmigiano cheese.
- Serve immediately with extra cheese on the side.
For more budget meals,check out the list below!
-
Starters, Soups, and Salads
- Lentil Soup {Linsensuppe} from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
- Gado-gado from The Urban Mrs.
- Ramping Up Instant Ramen from girlichef
Main
- Salmon Lasagna from Blueberries and Blessings
- Kadun Pika from The Foodie Army Wife
- Mushroom and Artichoke Quiche with Red Pepper Puree from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Pasta Carbonara from The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
- San Francisco Special Breakfast Burritos from Gourmet Drizzles
- Chicken Divan from Simply Gourmet
- Chicken and Brown Rice with Veggies and Mushrooms from Daily Dish Recipes
- The Cod Puffs War {Duelo de Buñuelos de Bacalao} from My Cute Bride
- From the Pantry Peanut Noodles from Supper for a Steal
- Pasta Puttanesca from Juanita’s Cocina
- Hawaiian Grilled Cheese from Home Cooking Memories
- Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas from I Run For Wine
- Browned Butter Pasta with Collards from Momma’s Meals
- Turkey and Acini Di Pepe Skillet from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Golden State Gourmet from Crazy Foodie Stunts
- Buffalo Chicken Dip Quesadillas from Chocolate Moosey
- Tonkatsu {Pork Cutlet} from Damn Delicious
- Tarka Dal {Spicy Curry Lentils} from Food Lust People Love
- Kung Pao Tofu from Ninja Baking
- Roasted Honey Mustard Chicken from Mama’s Blissful Bites
- Four-Cheese Risotto with Turkey Italian Sausage from The Weekend Gourmet
- Chicken with Sauteed Asparagus and Lemons from The Lovely Pantry
- Salvage-Your-Vegetables Frittata from Daddy Knows Less
Sides
- English Baked Beans from Small Wallet, Big Appetite
- Southern-style Black-eyed Peas from Magnolia Days
- Classic Macaroni and Cheese from The Skinny Chick Can Bake!!!
- Baked Beans from What Smells So Good?
- Hearts of Palm Mix Rice from Basic N Delicious
Drinks and Desserts
- Skinny Cinnamon Dolce Frappe from Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Portuguese Rice Pudding {Arroz Doce} from Family Foodie
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on Twitter Sunday! We’ll tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm EST. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag, and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest boardfor more delicious recipes and food photos.
Coming to Orlando July 19-21, the first annual Food and Wine Conference sponsored by #SundaySupper. Visit the website to learn more and join in on the fun.
I’m with you, Susan, the saucier, the better! This is one of our favorite go to meals too but mostly because it’s delicious and I usually have the ingredients on hand. (I also tend to hum a few handfuls of frozen peas in there with the boiling pasta so I can skip making a vegetable when it’s one of those days.) It’s just a bonus that this is also relatively inexpensive. Yours looks delicious and I’d like a bowl of that right now!
I just picked up some farm fresh eggs from the farmer’s market that I bet would be delicious. Now I just need to get more pasta.
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I’m the same as you with only cooking for two. However, I do clip coupons on Sunday morning. The amount off cleaning supplies and vitamins is worth it alone.
I’m glad you shared your recipe for pasta carbonara. I’ve had a hankering for it lately and this is giving me the nudge to cook it real soon.
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Carbonara has always been one of those dishes that’s on my “to make” list and I’ve never done it! That needs to chage! YUM!
I haven’t made this in a long time. thanks for posting it, Susan!
MMMMMM
I love pasta. And those noodles are like singing to me right now
Simple and tasty! I love it! My Husband would go bonkers over it!
Mmmmmm…pasta carbonara is so luxurious – I wouldn’t have thought of it as a budget meal, but yeah, I guess it’s not so bad. This looks DELICIOUS!
We are a family of 6 so like your mom…. I clip coupons! Love this recipe and agree… the saucier the better!
Love this dish!! I’d take a cheesy saucy pasta dish any day over a red pasta sauce! Thanks for sharing and Happy #SundaySupper!
Sounds and looks delicious!!! When grocery shopping I also get the grass fed, generally organic or at least sustainable and if possible local produce 😉 ….
Thank you for sharing your fantastic version of Pasta Carbonara.
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Ooo I love pasta carbonara. My mom was and still is an avid coupon clipper. I always get a little carried away while grocery shopping. I have a hard time sticking to a budget especially when faced with the ice cream or booze sections!
This is by far one of my favorite pasta dishes ever because of how simple and delicious it is. YUM!
What a lovely recipe full of all my favorite flavors!!! And yes, I guess I’m a bit spoiled only having to budget for two… well, and one totally spoiled dog 😉
Same here…we normally budget for two, so I can feed us for a lb. of shrimp/chicken etc. I have never made carbonara, bit it’s on my list. Perhaps this week, as soon as I go buy some really good parm reggiano. I cut corners in some places, but I have some items I won’t scrimp on…parm is one!
Yum! I’ve always wanted to make carbonara. Yours looks incredible!
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now i am totally wanting this for dinner – looks perfectly scrumptious! i’m the same way about food, there are so many things i’m frugal about but when it comes to food, i just can’t do it. plus, whenever i do see coupons they are for food items i just don’t really use, so it never seems worth the time to do couponing
Pasta Carbonara is one of my favourite cheap dishes. Your recipe looks amazing, I might add it to my meal plan this week
This is one of my all time favorite comfort foods and was a regular dinner staple when I was in my early 20’s. 🙂
This was my permanent request for a birthday meal growing up! I love that you make it “the real way” and don’t add cream too!
Thank goodness I only need to shop and cook for two, same as you Susan. I really don’t know how big families do it on the cheap. At least we can make a decadent, rich-tasting meal for less, like this amazing carbonara – it’s one of my favourite things to eat!
Pasta Carbonara is one of my ultimate favorite pasta dishes. YUM!
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