The trick to preparing this recipe successfully is to have all of the ingredients ready to go. It comes together as quickly as it takes to boil the pasta.

Prep: 15 minutes Cook: 20 minutes Total: 35 minutes Serves: 6

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2-pound sliced bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

3 eggs

1 egg yolk

salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

13 1/2 ounces whole wheat elbow macaroni

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved

1 bunch fresh spinach, stems removed, and leaves torn into bite-sized pieces

DIRECTIONS

Step 1

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add bacon; cook, stirring occasionally until crisp and fat has rendered, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove bacon using a slotted spoon and set aside. Pour bacon fat into a small bowl and set aside, do not wash out the skillet.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.

Step 3

Mix Parmesan cheese, eggs, egg yolk, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper together in a bowl.

Step 4

Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain into a colander set over a large, heatproof bowl. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water and pour the rest out, keeping the now heated bowl in place.

Step 5

Return 1 teaspoon reserved bacon fat to the large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Cook 30 seconds more and add tomatoes. Cook stirring occasionally until heated through but not falling apart, about 5 minutes. Stir in spinach.

Step 6

Add cooked bacon, cooked tomato mixture, and cooked pasta to the heated bowl. Whisk 1/2 cup of the reserved cooking water into the egg mixture. Pour over the pasta in the bowl and toss for 3 minutes. Thin sauce, if necessary, by adding additional reserved cooking water. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately with additional Parmesan cheese.

Bon Appetit!😊