It’s no secret that putting together a decent meal can be a bit daunting. Check out any recipe book, and you’ll be hit by a barrage of ingredients, complicated processes, and more steps than a dance musical sequence.

Well, one innovative mum has come up with a four-ingredient meal that’s so quick and easy it had thousands of people talking. However, not everyone was impressed.

Mum-of-three Emma Lou left thousands of people stunned after she shared her tasty four-ingredient ‘lazy’ dinner on social media using just pasta, chicken, bacon, and a jar of store-bought Carbonara sauce to create the meal.

‘Because I'm so lazy and cannot cook, I got this jar from [the supermarket], and I slopped it all in there and mixed it around,’ she said in the clip she uploaded online.

The mum said she made the four-ingredient dinner for her kids. Credit: Alejandro Aznar/Pexels

Emma used Dolmio Creamy Carbonara Pasta Sauce (you can get it for $4 at Woolworths), mixed it with cooked pasta and stirred them together. Then, Emma added cooked chicken and bacon pieces before serving the meal to her children.

‘Before you say it, I'm not Italian. Can't complain because they all ate it, and I made the kids clear up,' she added.

However, not everyone liked the idea.

Many social media users said that ditching the jar of sauce for egg, parmesan, and pasta water would make a cheaper and ‘more authentic’ Carbonara dish.

Others were left ‘confused’ by the recipe and completely slammed the idea.

‘I don't get Carbonara sauce when all you need to do is add eggs, Parmesan and a bit of pasta water,' one shared.

‘Probably a similar cost but tastes so much better and not processed,’ they added.

Other social media users were left ‘confused’ by the mum’s Carbonara recipe. Credit: emma_lou_/TikTok

‘Carbonara sauce is literally eggs and cheese mixed together and poured over with some hot water from the pasta pot. It takes like two minutes to make,’ one more replied.

Despite the backlash, many still leapt to Emma’s defence, commenting that jar sauces are also quick to use and especially helpful for those who don’t have enough time to cook complicated meals.

Some also noted that cheese could be too pricey for many households, especially amid rising inflation and an increase in grocery bills.

‘It takes one second to pour a jar into the pasta,' one stated, while another agreed and replied: ‘Also, cheese, in general, is expensive.’

Someone explained that Marinara sauce is simple to make as well, and yet people still go out and buy jars. ‘Not everyone can keep fresh ingredients in the house, and Parmigiano is a luxury,’ they added.

Another stated that they liked adding the Carbonara sauce to a pot. ‘It’s less bother,’ they wrote.

Many parents in the comments said they were keen on trying the ‘brilliant’ and ‘no-fuss’ meal.

‘I’d eat this; no complaints,’ one said.

While another agreed and admitted: ‘I would be all over this; that looks so good. Cooking is effort, so long as something edible is on the table, who cares.’

One suggested: ‘Chuck a bit of broccoli and frozen peas in as well. It makes it really nice.’

If you’ve got a bit of time on your hands and extra cash, you could try making traditional spaghetti Carbonara using only five ingredients.

Do note, however, that the only difficult part of spaghetti carbonara is getting the eggs right – they must neither be cooked to look like scrambled eggs nor too little to be raw and cold.

Without further ado, here’s how to make traditional spaghetti Carbonara:

• Serving size: 4
• Prep time: 20 minutes
• Cook time: 10 minutes

The ingredients you’ll need are:

• 350 g of spaghetti.
• 200 g of guanciale (cured pork. Alternatively, you can use pancetta from Coles, which costs $3.80 per 1kg).
• Four whole medium eggs (1 egg per serving).
• 100 g (1 cup + 1 tablespoon) of grated Pecorino Romano cheese. You can get this from Woolworths for $12.50.
• Ground black pepper to taste.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Traditional Carbonara:

1. Start by setting a large pot of water to boil for the pasta. As a rule of thumb, use 1 litre (4 cups) of water for every 100 g of pasta and 10 g (around 1/2 tablespoon) of coarse salt per litre (4 cups) of water.

2. While the water is heating, cut the guanciale or pancetta into small pieces (cubes or slices, as you prefer) and cook them gently in a pan over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking. Adjust the cooking time depending on your preference for crispy or soft meat.

There's no need for extra oil, as the meat releases enough fat on its own. Once done, turn off the heat, cover the pan, and set it aside.

Cook the meat gently in a pan. Credit: Recipes from Italy

3. Now it's time to prepare that luxurious Pecorino cream. In a bowl, combine the whole eggs, Pecorino Romano cheese, and some freshly ground black pepper. Use a fork or hand whisk to mix these ingredients until you achieve a thick, creamy consistency. Put this flavoursome mixture aside for now.

4. By this time, your water should be boiling. Add salt and carefully cook the spaghetti until al dente, following the cooking time indicated on the pasta package.

5. Once the spaghetti is al dente, drain it and add it to the pan with the meat. Turn the heat to high and let the pasta sizzle as it absorbs the delicious flavours.

6. The last and most crucial step: turn off the heat and quickly add the egg and pecorino cream to the hot pasta, mixing well to ensure a smooth, creamy sauce.

Pro-tip: be attentive to the consistency – if it's too runny, add a bit more grated pecorino cheese; if it's too sticky or dense, add a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta cooking water.

This is how Italians cook Carbonara. Credit: Recipes from Italy

Your traditional Spaghetti Carbonara is now ready to serve! Use a ladle and fork to create a pasta nest on each plate. Top it with more meat, a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper, and a dusting of grated pecorino Romano. Enjoy!

Key Takeaways

• A mum-of-three has shared her four-ingredient 'lazy' carbonara dinner, using a jar of sauce, pasta, chicken, and bacon.
• The simple meal received mixed reactions, with some suggesting making an authentic carbonara with egg, parmesan, and pasta water is cheaper and better.
• Some viewers defended the use of jarred sauce as a quick alternative and acknowledged the rising cost of living and expensive ingredients.
• Many parents were eager to try the no-fuss meal for themselves, with some offering additional ingredient suggestions for a more enjoyable dish.

What do you think? Is this four-ingredient Carbonara dinner clever or too 'lazy'? Let us know in the comments, and feel free to share your own speedy dinner recipes.

 

[poppyshero]

Nothing wrong with this for a quick meal, thanks for the recipe. As a pensioner i cook simple meals like this all the time. Eat one now, then three in the freezer for later on. With food costs going through the roof we have to get the most out of every dollar.

 

[Mr Chips]

We are all human, this is not a mental health forum-is it? The other pig gets dirty too! Or the best way to deal with a person is to try & assist just by listening or having a respectful interaction/conversation with them if possible, or have nothing to do with them - we still have freedom of choice.
We are firstly not clinicians to get our hands on the DSM-5 and we are not talking to and with each other as diagnostic workers in the MH arena of Life. We do all have our own values, as you have mentioned, perspectives, comments & ideas, mutual respect, being mindful and treating each other as we would like to be treated - there are topics that people are passionate about - and are able to air as such in a safe place - as long as it is not in personal reference to others - we should all be able to enjoy this forum. We should not take things too personally and if we have offended some-one we need to be mindful of this and apologise. And i may not be too liked now-but that's life as we ageeveryone should feel like they can engage on this site!

Oh very well said and thank you for your comment. Great reading and insight.

 

[Milica]

Oh very well said and thank you for your comment. Great reading and insight.

Now i just hope i haven't offended anyone-have a great day to all!

 

[Aged_Pensioners_fair_go]

I do appreciate your views Milica. However, the example I shared earlier today was from a “well-known member” who should know better not to bully & (as you say) make “in personal references”.
When people feel they’re “not safe” to comment on any social media platform, then it becomes toxic. One can’t try to normalize/justify it by saying “you’re too sensitive” or don’t take things too personally” (just one of her comments). That’s what “gaslighters” say to abuse people. This forum should be above all that. I did make enquiries on completely blocking that person, but the administrators of SDC advised that the actual platform owners don’t have that function to completely/fully block (ie you can’t see the person & they can’t see you), but I’m told they are working on requesting that functionality from the platform owners. Legally, it should be part of a social media platform.

 

[Jenn Hawkesbury]

It’s no secret that putting together a decent meal can be a bit daunting. Check out any recipe book, and you’ll be hit by a barrage of ingredients, complicated processes, and more steps than a dance musical sequence.

Well, one innovative mum has come up with a four-ingredient meal that’s so quick and easy it had thousands of people talking. However, not everyone was impressed.

Mum-of-three Emma Lou left thousands of people stunned after she shared her tasty four-ingredient ‘lazy’ dinner on social media using just pasta, chicken, bacon, and a jar of store-bought Carbonara sauce to create the meal.

‘Because I'm so lazy and cannot cook, I got this jar from [the supermarket], and I slopped it all in there and mixed it around,’ she said in the clip she uploaded online.

View attachment 18925

The mum said she made the four-ingredient dinner for her kids. Credit: Alejandro Aznar/Pexels

Emma used Dolmio Creamy Carbonara Pasta Sauce (you can get it for $4 at Woolworths), mixed it with cooked pasta and stirred them together. Then, Emma added cooked chicken and bacon pieces before serving the meal to her children.

‘Before you say it, I'm not Italian. Can't complain because they all ate it, and I made the kids clear up,' she added.

However, not everyone liked the idea.

Many social media users said that ditching the jar of sauce for egg, parmesan, and pasta water would make a cheaper and ‘more authentic’ Carbonara dish.

Others were left ‘confused’ by the recipe and completely slammed the idea.

‘I don't get Carbonara sauce when all you need to do is add eggs, Parmesan and a bit of pasta water,' one shared.

‘Probably a similar cost but tastes so much better and not processed,’ they added.

View attachment 18926

Other social media users were left ‘confused’ by the mum’s Carbonara recipe. Credit: emma_lou_/TikTok

‘Carbonara sauce is literally eggs and cheese mixed together and poured over with some hot water from the pasta pot. It takes like two minutes to make,’ one more replied.

Despite the backlash, many still leapt to Emma’s defence, commenting that jar sauces are also quick to use and especially helpful for those who don’t have enough time to cook complicated meals.

Some also noted that cheese could be too pricey for many households, especially amid rising inflation and an increase in grocery bills.

‘It takes one second to pour a jar into the pasta,' one stated, while another agreed and replied: ‘Also, cheese, in general, is expensive.’

Someone explained that Marinara sauce is simple to make as well, and yet people still go out and buy jars. ‘Not everyone can keep fresh ingredients in the house, and Parmigiano is a luxury,’ they added.

Another stated that they liked adding the Carbonara sauce to a pot. ‘It’s less bother,’ they wrote.

Many parents in the comments said they were keen on trying the ‘brilliant’ and ‘no-fuss’ meal.

‘I’d eat this; no complaints,’ one said.

While another agreed and admitted: ‘I would be all over this; that looks so good. Cooking is effort, so long as something edible is on the table, who cares.’

One suggested: ‘Chuck a bit of broccoli and frozen peas in as well. It makes it really nice.’

If you’ve got a bit of time on your hands and extra cash, you could try making traditional spaghetti Carbonara using only five ingredients.

Do note, however, that the only difficult part of spaghetti carbonara is getting the eggs right – they must neither be cooked to look like scrambled eggs nor too little to be raw and cold.

Without further ado, here’s how to make traditional spaghetti Carbonara:

• Serving size: 4
• Prep time: 20 minutes
• Cook time: 10 minutes

The ingredients you’ll need are:

• 350 g of spaghetti.
• 200 g of guanciale (cured pork. Alternatively, you can use pancetta from Coles, which costs $3.80 per 1kg).
• Four whole medium eggs (1 egg per serving).
• 100 g (1 cup + 1 tablespoon) of grated Pecorino Romano cheese. You can get this from Woolworths for $12.50.
• Ground black pepper to taste.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Traditional Carbonara:

1. Start by setting a large pot of water to boil for the pasta. As a rule of thumb, use 1 litre (4 cups) of water for every 100 g of pasta and 10 g (around 1/2 tablespoon) of coarse salt per litre (4 cups) of water.

2. While the water is heating, cut the guanciale or pancetta into small pieces (cubes or slices, as you prefer) and cook them gently in a pan over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking. Adjust the cooking time depending on your preference for crispy or soft meat.

There's no need for extra oil, as the meat releases enough fat on its own. Once done, turn off the heat, cover the pan, and set it aside.

View attachment 18927

Cook the meat gently in a pan. Credit: Recipes from Italy

3. Now it's time to prepare that luxurious Pecorino cream. In a bowl, combine the whole eggs, Pecorino Romano cheese, and some freshly ground black pepper. Use a fork or hand whisk to mix these ingredients until you achieve a thick, creamy consistency. Put this flavoursome mixture aside for now.

4. By this time, your water should be boiling. Add salt and carefully cook the spaghetti until al dente, following the cooking time indicated on the pasta package.

5. Once the spaghetti is al dente, drain it and add it to the pan with the meat. Turn the heat to high and let the pasta sizzle as it absorbs the delicious flavours.

6. The last and most crucial step: turn off the heat and quickly add the egg and pecorino cream to the hot pasta, mixing well to ensure a smooth, creamy sauce.

Pro-tip: be attentive to the consistency – if it's too runny, add a bit more grated pecorino cheese; if it's too sticky or dense, add a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta cooking water.

View attachment 18928

This is how Italians cook Carbonara. Credit: Recipes from Italy

Your traditional Spaghetti Carbonara is now ready to serve! Use a ladle and fork to create a pasta nest on each plate. Top it with more meat, a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper, and a dusting of grated pecorino Romano. Enjoy!

Key Takeaways

• A mum-of-three has shared her four-ingredient 'lazy' carbonara dinner, using a jar of sauce, pasta, chicken, and bacon.
• The simple meal received mixed reactions, with some suggesting making an authentic carbonara with egg, parmesan, and pasta water is cheaper and better.
• Some viewers defended the use of jarred sauce as a quick alternative and acknowledged the rising cost of living and expensive ingredients.
• Many parents were eager to try the no-fuss meal for themselves, with some offering additional ingredient suggestions for a more enjoyable dish.

What do you think? Is this four-ingredient Carbonara dinner clever or too 'lazy'? Let us know in the comments, and feel free to share your own speedy dinner recipes.

Look the Mum said she’s no cook… tick for honesty….I think very little if pasta on the whole….no different to rice

It’s no secret that putting together a decent meal can be a bit daunting. Check out any recipe book, and you’ll be hit by a barrage of ingredients, complicated processes, and more steps than a dance musical sequence.

Well, one innovative mum has come up with a four-ingredient meal that’s so quick and easy it had thousands of people talking. However, not everyone was impressed.

Mum-of-three Emma Lou left thousands of people stunned after she shared her tasty four-ingredient ‘lazy’ dinner on social media using just pasta, chicken, bacon, and a jar of store-bought Carbonara sauce to create the meal.

‘Because I'm so lazy and cannot cook, I got this jar from [the supermarket], and I slopped it all in there and mixed it around,’ she said in the clip she uploaded online.

View attachment 18925

The mum said she made the four-ingredient dinner for her kids. Credit: Alejandro Aznar/Pexels

Emma used Dolmio Creamy Carbonara Pasta Sauce (you can get it for $4 at Woolworths), mixed it with cooked pasta and stirred them together. Then, Emma added cooked chicken and bacon pieces before serving the meal to her children.

‘Before you say it, I'm not Italian. Can't complain because they all ate it, and I made the kids clear up,' she added.

However, not everyone liked the idea.

Many social media users said that ditching the jar of sauce for egg, parmesan, and pasta water would make a cheaper and ‘more authentic’ Carbonara dish.

Others were left ‘confused’ by the recipe and completely slammed the idea.

‘I don't get Carbonara sauce when all you need to do is add eggs, Parmesan and a bit of pasta water,' one shared.

‘Probably a similar cost but tastes so much better and not processed,’ they added.

View attachment 18926

Other social media users were left ‘confused’ by the mum’s Carbonara recipe. Credit: emma_lou_/TikTok

‘Carbonara sauce is literally eggs and cheese mixed together and poured over with some hot water from the pasta pot. It takes like two minutes to make,’ one more replied.

Despite the backlash, many still leapt to Emma’s defence, commenting that jar sauces are also quick to use and especially helpful for those who don’t have enough time to cook complicated meals.

Some also noted that cheese could be too pricey for many households, especially amid rising inflation and an increase in grocery bills.

‘It takes one second to pour a jar into the pasta,' one stated, while another agreed and replied: ‘Also, cheese, in general, is expensive.’

Someone explained that Marinara sauce is simple to make as well, and yet people still go out and buy jars. ‘Not everyone can keep fresh ingredients in the house, and Parmigiano is a luxury,’ they added.

Another stated that they liked adding the Carbonara sauce to a pot. ‘It’s less bother,’ they wrote.

Many parents in the comments said they were keen on trying the ‘brilliant’ and ‘no-fuss’ meal.

‘I’d eat this; no complaints,’ one said.

While another agreed and admitted: ‘I would be all over this; that looks so good. Cooking is effort, so long as something edible is on the table, who cares.’

One suggested: ‘Chuck a bit of broccoli and frozen peas in as well. It makes it really nice.’

If you’ve got a bit of time on your hands and extra cash, you could try making traditional spaghetti Carbonara using only five ingredients.

Do note, however, that the only difficult part of spaghetti carbonara is getting the eggs right – they must neither be cooked to look like scrambled eggs nor too little to be raw and cold.

Without further ado, here’s how to make traditional spaghetti Carbonara:

• Serving size: 4
• Prep time: 20 minutes
• Cook time: 10 minutes

The ingredients you’ll need are:

• 350 g of spaghetti.
• 200 g of guanciale (cured pork. Alternatively, you can use pancetta from Coles, which costs $3.80 per 1kg).
• Four whole medium eggs (1 egg per serving).
• 100 g (1 cup + 1 tablespoon) of grated Pecorino Romano cheese. You can get this from Woolworths for $12.50.
• Ground black pepper to taste.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Traditional Carbonara:

1. Start by setting a large pot of water to boil for the pasta. As a rule of thumb, use 1 litre (4 cups) of water for every 100 g of pasta and 10 g (around 1/2 tablespoon) of coarse salt per litre (4 cups) of water.

2. While the water is heating, cut the guanciale or pancetta into small pieces (cubes or slices, as you prefer) and cook them gently in a pan over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking. Adjust the cooking time depending on your preference for crispy or soft meat.

There's no need for extra oil, as the meat releases enough fat on its own. Once done, turn off the heat, cover the pan, and set it aside.

View attachment 18927

Cook the meat gently in a pan. Credit: Recipes from Italy

3. Now it's time to prepare that luxurious Pecorino cream. In a bowl, combine the whole eggs, Pecorino Romano cheese, and some freshly ground black pepper. Use a fork or hand whisk to mix these ingredients until you achieve a thick, creamy consistency. Put this flavoursome mixture aside for now.

4. By this time, your water should be boiling. Add salt and carefully cook the spaghetti until al dente, following the cooking time indicated on the pasta package.

5. Once the spaghetti is al dente, drain it and add it to the pan with the meat. Turn the heat to high and let the pasta sizzle as it absorbs the delicious flavours.

6. The last and most crucial step: turn off the heat and quickly add the egg and pecorino cream to the hot pasta, mixing well to ensure a smooth, creamy sauce.

Pro-tip: be attentive to the consistency – if it's too runny, add a bit more grated pecorino cheese; if it's too sticky or dense, add a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta cooking water.

View attachment 18928

This is how Italians cook Carbonara. Credit: Recipes from Italy

Your traditional Spaghetti Carbonara is now ready to serve! Use a ladle and fork to create a pasta nest on each plate. Top it with more meat, a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper, and a dusting of grated pecorino Romano. Enjoy!

Key Takeaways

• A mum-of-three has shared her four-ingredient 'lazy' carbonara dinner, using a jar of sauce, pasta, chicken, and bacon.
• The simple meal received mixed reactions, with some suggesting making an authentic carbonara with egg, parmesan, and pasta water is cheaper and better.
• Some viewers defended the use of jarred sauce as a quick alternative and acknowledged the rising cost of living and expensive ingredients.
• Many parents were eager to try the no-fuss meal for themselves, with some offering additional ingredient suggestions for a more enjoyable dish.

What do you think? Is this four-ingredient Carbonara dinner clever or too 'lazy'? Let us know in the comments, and feel free to share your own speedy dinner recipes.

look…..the lady said she’s no cook….tick for honesty
Pasta and rice fall into the catagory of BOG in my world
The children enjoyed it
That’s a plus

I say job well done

Now lovely when uv time sit down YouTube recipies…you’ll learn heaps and may enjoy having a go
GO YOU

 

[Iggydi]

There are a lot of people that either don't like cooking (so this meal is perfect for them) Too busy to do everything from scratch. Can't afford the different ingredients because of their budget or don't know how to cook. I am sure 95% of people occasionally buy store bought sauces or just in case sauces. I do and I have the time to cook from scratch and I love cooking. It never hurts to experiment either. You can always jazz up a bottle sauce with a few chopped vegetables and a bit of meat or sausages. So be nice to someone when they have found a meal that the kids enjoyed (hard to do) and use sauce from a jar.

 

[Iggydi]

Look the Mum said she’s no cook… tick for honesty….I think very little if pasta on the whole….no different to rice

look…..the lady said she’s no cook….tick for honesty
Pasta and rice fall into the catagory of BOG in my world
The children enjoyed it
That’s a plus

I say job well done

Now lovely when uv time sit down YouTube recipies…you’ll learn heaps and may enjoy having a go
GO YOU

My husband does a lot of cooking after watching YouTube. A lot of them are so tasty and very simple to create. So the mum will be cooking like a Pro in no time using your advice

 

[Cool Lynda]

It’s no secret that putting together a decent meal can be a bit daunting. Check out any recipe book, and you’ll be hit by a barrage of ingredients, complicated processes, and more steps than a dance musical sequence.

Well, one innovative mum has come up with a four-ingredient meal that’s so quick and easy it had thousands of people talking. However, not everyone was impressed.

Mum-of-three Emma Lou left thousands of people stunned after she shared her tasty four-ingredient ‘lazy’ dinner on social media using just pasta, chicken, bacon, and a jar of store-bought Carbonara sauce to create the meal.

‘Because I'm so lazy and cannot cook, I got this jar from [the supermarket], and I slopped it all in there and mixed it around,’ she said in the clip she uploaded online.

View attachment 18925

The mum said she made the four-ingredient dinner for her kids. Credit: Alejandro Aznar/Pexels

Emma used Dolmio Creamy Carbonara Pasta Sauce (you can get it for $4 at Woolworths), mixed it with cooked pasta and stirred them together. Then, Emma added cooked chicken and bacon pieces before serving the meal to her children.

‘Before you say it, I'm not Italian. Can't complain because they all ate it, and I made the kids clear up,' she added.

However, not everyone liked the idea.

Many social media users said that ditching the jar of sauce for egg, parmesan, and pasta water would make a cheaper and ‘more authentic’ Carbonara dish.

Others were left ‘confused’ by the recipe and completely slammed the idea.

‘I don't get Carbonara sauce when all you need to do is add eggs, Parmesan and a bit of pasta water,' one shared.

‘Probably a similar cost but tastes so much better and not processed,’ they added.

View attachment 18926

Other social media users were left ‘confused’ by the mum’s Carbonara recipe. Credit: emma_lou_/TikTok

‘Carbonara sauce is literally eggs and cheese mixed together and poured over with some hot water from the pasta pot. It takes like two minutes to make,’ one more replied.

Despite the backlash, many still leapt to Emma’s defence, commenting that jar sauces are also quick to use and especially helpful for those who don’t have enough time to cook complicated meals.

Some also noted that cheese could be too pricey for many households, especially amid rising inflation and an increase in grocery bills.

‘It takes one second to pour a jar into the pasta,' one stated, while another agreed and replied: ‘Also, cheese, in general, is expensive.’

Someone explained that Marinara sauce is simple to make as well, and yet people still go out and buy jars. ‘Not everyone can keep fresh ingredients in the house, and Parmigiano is a luxury,’ they added.

Another stated that they liked adding the Carbonara sauce to a pot. ‘It’s less bother,’ they wrote.

Many parents in the comments said they were keen on trying the ‘brilliant’ and ‘no-fuss’ meal.

‘I’d eat this; no complaints,’ one said.

While another agreed and admitted: ‘I would be all over this; that looks so good. Cooking is effort, so long as something edible is on the table, who cares.’

One suggested: ‘Chuck a bit of broccoli and frozen peas in as well. It makes it really nice.’

If you’ve got a bit of time on your hands and extra cash, you could try making traditional spaghetti Carbonara using only five ingredients.

Do note, however, that the only difficult part of spaghetti carbonara is getting the eggs right – they must neither be cooked to look like scrambled eggs nor too little to be raw and cold.

Without further ado, here’s how to make traditional spaghetti Carbonara:

• Serving size: 4
• Prep time: 20 minutes
• Cook time: 10 minutes

The ingredients you’ll need are:

• 350 g of spaghetti.
• 200 g of guanciale (cured pork. Alternatively, you can use pancetta from Coles, which costs $3.80 per 1kg).
• Four whole medium eggs (1 egg per serving).
• 100 g (1 cup + 1 tablespoon) of grated Pecorino Romano cheese. You can get this from Woolworths for $12.50.
• Ground black pepper to taste.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Traditional Carbonara:

1. Start by setting a large pot of water to boil for the pasta. As a rule of thumb, use 1 litre (4 cups) of water for every 100 g of pasta and 10 g (around 1/2 tablespoon) of coarse salt per litre (4 cups) of water.

2. While the water is heating, cut the guanciale or pancetta into small pieces (cubes or slices, as you prefer) and cook them gently in a pan over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking. Adjust the cooking time depending on your preference for crispy or soft meat.

There's no need for extra oil, as the meat releases enough fat on its own. Once done, turn off the heat, cover the pan, and set it aside.

View attachment 18927

Cook the meat gently in a pan. Credit: Recipes from Italy

3. Now it's time to prepare that luxurious Pecorino cream. In a bowl, combine the whole eggs, Pecorino Romano cheese, and some freshly ground black pepper. Use a fork or hand whisk to mix these ingredients until you achieve a thick, creamy consistency. Put this flavoursome mixture aside for now.

4. By this time, your water should be boiling. Add salt and carefully cook the spaghetti until al dente, following the cooking time indicated on the pasta package.

5. Once the spaghetti is al dente, drain it and add it to the pan with the meat. Turn the heat to high and let the pasta sizzle as it absorbs the delicious flavours.

6. The last and most crucial step: turn off the heat and quickly add the egg and pecorino cream to the hot pasta, mixing well to ensure a smooth, creamy sauce.

Pro-tip: be attentive to the consistency – if it's too runny, add a bit more grated pecorino cheese; if it's too sticky or dense, add a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta cooking water.

View attachment 18928

This is how Italians cook Carbonara. Credit: Recipes from Italy

Your traditional Spaghetti Carbonara is now ready to serve! Use a ladle and fork to create a pasta nest on each plate. Top it with more meat, a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper, and a dusting of grated pecorino Romano. Enjoy!

Key Takeaways

• A mum-of-three has shared her four-ingredient 'lazy' carbonara dinner, using a jar of sauce, pasta, chicken, and bacon.
• The simple meal received mixed reactions, with some suggesting making an authentic carbonara with egg, parmesan, and pasta water is cheaper and better.
• Some viewers defended the use of jarred sauce as a quick alternative and acknowledged the rising cost of living and expensive ingredients.
• Many parents were eager to try the no-fuss meal for themselves, with some offering additional ingredient suggestions for a more enjoyable dish.

What do you think? Is this four-ingredient Carbonara dinner clever or too 'lazy'? Let us know in the comments, and feel free to share your own speedy dinner recipes.

 

[Cool Lynda]

S good cheats meal, but, I prefer the real thing. It's really not too hard, however, the Pecorino is not cheap.

 

[Milica]

I do appreciate your views Milica. However, the example I shared earlier today was from a “well-known member” who should know better not to bully & (as you say) make “in personal references”.
When people feel they’re “not safe” to comment on any social media platform, then it becomes toxic. One can’t try to normalize/justify it by saying “you’re too sensitive” or don’t take things too personally” (just one of her comments). That’s what “gaslighters” say to abuse people. This forum should be above all that. I did make enquiries on completely blocking that person, but the administrators of SDC advised that the actual platform owners don’t have that function to completely/fully block (ie you can’t see the person & they can’t see you), but I’m told they are working on requesting that functionality from the platform owners. Legally, it should be part of a social media platform.

The only place that i have experienced toxcicity & gaslighting have been in workplaces - and that to me is subtle workplace bullying - not pleasant at all. I am not familiar with social media platforms as they don't interest me - i decided to join SDC as i am now not working and am now also of seniors age - SDC to me is an interesting way of linking in with people of a similar age without any competition and nastiness - we can still all have our say with mutual respect - SDC provides us with lots of the latest and updated information on a variety of subjects related to seniors and others, that we may not seek out for ourselves, along with shopping, recipes, jokes, facts, riddles to have us thinking, photos and more. And for many people who may be living on there own, SDC may be the only contact they have with others on a daily basis. That in itself is so beneficial for a persons overall state of Health. I joined for the above reasons and also because i felt it was a place that i would feel safe, to make comments with others, and i do - i hope we can all feel safe and free to comment, and have some laughs!

 

[Marj53]

Not everyone has the money to pay for expensive ingredients. I say good on this mum. At least she is putting food on the table for her kids.

 

[MaggieAmalia]

It’s no secret that putting together a decent meal can be a bit daunting. Check out any recipe book, and you’ll be hit by a barrage of ingredients, complicated processes, and more steps than a dance musical sequence.

Well, one innovative mum has come up with a four-ingredient meal that’s so quick and easy it had thousands of people talking. However, not everyone was impressed.

Mum-of-three Emma Lou left thousands of people stunned after she shared her tasty four-ingredient ‘lazy’ dinner on social media using just pasta, chicken, bacon, and a jar of store-bought Carbonara sauce to create the meal.

‘Because I'm so lazy and cannot cook, I got this jar from [the supermarket], and I slopped it all in there and mixed it around,’ she said in the clip she uploaded online.

View attachment 18925

The mum said she made the four-ingredient dinner for her kids. Credit: Alejandro Aznar/Pexels

Emma used Dolmio Creamy Carbonara Pasta Sauce (you can get it for $4 at Woolworths), mixed it with cooked pasta and stirred them together. Then, Emma added cooked chicken and bacon pieces before serving the meal to her children.

‘Before you say it, I'm not Italian. Can't complain because they all ate it, and I made the kids clear up,' she added.

However, not everyone liked the idea.

Many social media users said that ditching the jar of sauce for egg, parmesan, and pasta water would make a cheaper and ‘more authentic’ Carbonara dish.

Others were left ‘confused’ by the recipe and completely slammed the idea.

‘I don't get Carbonara sauce when all you need to do is add eggs, Parmesan and a bit of pasta water,' one shared.

‘Probably a similar cost but tastes so much better and not processed,’ they added.

View attachment 18926

Other social media users were left ‘confused’ by the mum’s Carbonara recipe. Credit: emma_lou_/TikTok

‘Carbonara sauce is literally eggs and cheese mixed together and poured over with some hot water from the pasta pot. It takes like two minutes to make,’ one more replied.

Despite the backlash, many still leapt to Emma’s defence, commenting that jar sauces are also quick to use and especially helpful for those who don’t have enough time to cook complicated meals.

Some also noted that cheese could be too pricey for many households, especially amid rising inflation and an increase in grocery bills.

‘It takes one second to pour a jar into the pasta,' one stated, while another agreed and replied: ‘Also, cheese, in general, is expensive.’

Someone explained that Marinara sauce is simple to make as well, and yet people still go out and buy jars. ‘Not everyone can keep fresh ingredients in the house, and Parmigiano is a luxury,’ they added.

Another stated that they liked adding the Carbonara sauce to a pot. ‘It’s less bother,’ they wrote.

Many parents in the comments said they were keen on trying the ‘brilliant’ and ‘no-fuss’ meal.

‘I’d eat this; no complaints,’ one said.

While another agreed and admitted: ‘I would be all over this; that looks so good. Cooking is effort, so long as something edible is on the table, who cares.’

One suggested: ‘Chuck a bit of broccoli and frozen peas in as well. It makes it really nice.’

If you’ve got a bit of time on your hands and extra cash, you could try making traditional spaghetti Carbonara using only five ingredients.

Do note, however, that the only difficult part of spaghetti carbonara is getting the eggs right – they must neither be cooked to look like scrambled eggs nor too little to be raw and cold.

Without further ado, here’s how to make traditional spaghetti Carbonara:

• Serving size: 4
• Prep time: 20 minutes
• Cook time: 10 minutes

The ingredients you’ll need are:

• 350 g of spaghetti.
• 200 g of guanciale (cured pork. Alternatively, you can use pancetta from Coles, which costs $3.80 per 1kg).
• Four whole medium eggs (1 egg per serving).
• 100 g (1 cup + 1 tablespoon) of grated Pecorino Romano cheese. You can get this from Woolworths for $12.50.
• Ground black pepper to taste.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Traditional Carbonara:

1. Start by setting a large pot of water to boil for the pasta. As a rule of thumb, use 1 litre (4 cups) of water for every 100 g of pasta and 10 g (around 1/2 tablespoon) of coarse salt per litre (4 cups) of water.

2. While the water is heating, cut the guanciale or pancetta into small pieces (cubes or slices, as you prefer) and cook them gently in a pan over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking. Adjust the cooking time depending on your preference for crispy or soft meat.

There's no need for extra oil, as the meat releases enough fat on its own. Once done, turn off the heat, cover the pan, and set it aside.

View attachment 18927

Cook the meat gently in a pan. Credit: Recipes from Italy

3. Now it's time to prepare that luxurious Pecorino cream. In a bowl, combine the whole eggs, Pecorino Romano cheese, and some freshly ground black pepper. Use a fork or hand whisk to mix these ingredients until you achieve a thick, creamy consistency. Put this flavoursome mixture aside for now.

4. By this time, your water should be boiling. Add salt and carefully cook the spaghetti until al dente, following the cooking time indicated on the pasta package.

5. Once the spaghetti is al dente, drain it and add it to the pan with the meat. Turn the heat to high and let the pasta sizzle as it absorbs the delicious flavours.

6. The last and most crucial step: turn off the heat and quickly add the egg and pecorino cream to the hot pasta, mixing well to ensure a smooth, creamy sauce.

Pro-tip: be attentive to the consistency – if it's too runny, add a bit more grated pecorino cheese; if it's too sticky or dense, add a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta cooking water.

View attachment 18928

This is how Italians cook Carbonara. Credit: Recipes from Italy

Your traditional Spaghetti Carbonara is now ready to serve! Use a ladle and fork to create a pasta nest on each plate. Top it with more meat, a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper, and a dusting of grated pecorino Romano. Enjoy!

Key Takeaways

• A mum-of-three has shared her four-ingredient 'lazy' carbonara dinner, using a jar of sauce, pasta, chicken, and bacon.
• The simple meal received mixed reactions, with some suggesting making an authentic carbonara with egg, parmesan, and pasta water is cheaper and better.
• Some viewers defended the use of jarred sauce as a quick alternative and acknowledged the rising cost of living and expensive ingredients.
• Many parents were eager to try the no-fuss meal for themselves, with some offering additional ingredient suggestions for a more enjoyable dish.

What do you think? Is this four-ingredient Carbonara dinner clever or too 'lazy'? Let us know in the comments, and feel free to share your own speedy dinner recipes.

 

[MaggieAmalia]

Not everyone has the money to pay for expensive ingredients. I say good on this mum. At least she is putting food on the table for her kids.

 

[MaggieAmalia]

Here a weird but effective way of cooking pasta that i do mostly ( depending what pasta i use off course)

Once i fill a pot sufficiently with cold water in preparation of adding pasta .. i immediately add the required volume of dry pasta into the cold water, stir it frequently whilst waiting for it to boil. A short time later after it had commenced boiling i remove a piece of pasta and do the bite test and then if need be cook a bit longer. Its ready very quickly And so i then drain it and do the usual conclusion to the dish of adding the sauce etc. Ive saved time, energy costs and have no mess caused by any over flowing boiled pasta water on my stove top., which happened frequently the instant uv turned my back on the stove . Give it s Try it a try and see if it suits you or not.

 

[Suzanne rose]

The only place that i have experienced toxcicity & gaslighting have been in workplaces - and that to me is subtle workplace bullying - not pleasant at all. I am not familiar with social media platforms as they don't interest me - i decided to join SDC as i am now not working and am now also of seniors age - SDC to me is an interesting way of linking in with people of a similar age without any competition and nastiness - we can still all have our say with mutual respect - SDC provides us with lots of the latest and updated information on a variety of subjects related to seniors and others, that we may not seek out for ourselves, along with shopping, recipes, jokes, facts, riddles to have us thinking, photos and more. And for many people who may be living on there own, SDC may be the only contact they have with others on a daily basis. That in itself is so beneficial for a persons overall state of Health. I joined for the above reasons and also because i felt it was a place that i would feel safe, to make comments with others, and i do - i hope we can all feel safe and free to comment, and have some laughs!

Beautifully said

 

[Suzanne rose]

I do appreciate your views Milica. However, the example I shared earlier today was from a “well-known member” who should know better not to bully & (as you say) make “in personal references”.
When people feel they’re “not safe” to comment on any social media platform, then it becomes toxic. One can’t try to normalize/justify it by saying “you’re too sensitive” or don’t take things too personally” (just one of her comments). That’s what “gaslighters” say to abuse people. This forum should be above all that. I did make enquiries on completely blocking that person, but the administrators of SDC advised that the actual platform owners don’t have that function to completely/fully block (ie you can’t see the person & they can’t see you), but I’m told they are working on requesting that functionality from the platform owners. Legally, it should be part of a social media platform.

I hope you are not insinuating this is me ! I do respect people but in the same time I am able to have an opion.
With these post we are ask to give our opions and we answer the question at the end of a post.

Since you have been on here you are constantly making comments against me.

I don't know what problems you have but there are plenty of people on here that will listen to you including me.

I think you are reading post and misunderstanding them.

Eg I commented on the shank recipe. I said it was funny and and great recipe but I wouldn't eat at their place due to all the animals in the kitchen and cats on the bench where food is.
Nothing wrong with that opion.
You didn't need to mention my name and say I should be sued.

Be mindful of the hurtful comments you make .

This place is actually a nice place for people to share things and jto comment on things that are happening.

What a boring place it would be if we all agreed.

 

[Aged_Pensioners_fair_go]

This is your last warning Suzanne rose. Speaking as a retired Lawyer, you are on thin ice! Of note, the first post on this platform, you overtly slandered, defamed and unreasonably offended. You were warned then to stop. Your behaviour on this site since, towards those with different opinions/views to your own, has been offensive, contemptuous, slanderous and unacceptable. An example of your offensive behaviour has been cited in case law. Look up Worcester v Smith, a case heard in the Supreme Court of Victoria, that defines “offensive” as “such as is calculated to wound the feelings, arouse anger or resentment or disgust or outrage in the mind of a reasonable person”. This definition is exactly what you’ve demonstrated towards me and others (from day one) by denigrating those who have different views to you. It’s unreasonable AND it’s unlawful!

 

[Ricci]

Woah! Calm down people, sit back and take a chill pill.

Nobody is on here to slander or defame on purpose I'm sure.

SDC are really good at policing the site and will remove anyone being overly unreasonable.

Opinions vary and hopefully always will and we will always have the freedom to express those opinions without fear or favour. We can surely have a grown up conversation and maybe learn something from others ideas, be open to other ways of coming to, and overcoming a problem.

I would like to think we can all get along, respecting each other and recognising that we all come to this site with vastly different lived experiences. Each equally valuable.

 

[Suzanne rose]

This is your last warning Suzanne rose. Speaking as a retired Lawyer, you are on thin ice! Of note, the first post on this platform, you overtly slandered, defamed and unreasonably offended. You were warned then to stop. Your behaviour on this site since, towards those with different opinions/views to your own, has been offensive, contemptuous, slanderous and unacceptable. An example of your offensive behaviour has been cited in case law. Look up Worcester v Smith, a case heard in the Supreme Court of Victoria, that defines “offensive” as “such as is calculated to wound the feelings, arouse anger or resentment or disgust or outrage in the mind of a reasonable person”. This definition is exactly what you’ve demonstrated towards me and others (from day one) by denigrating those who have different views to you. It’s unreasonable AND it’s unlawful!

I really don't care that you are are an ex lawyer or whatever.
If you are then you know that I have never slandered anyone and what you are is actually a BULLY.
I have now reported you !
This is your last warning stop harassing me and mind your own business.
Last night I was ready to leave here but then you win.

I suffer bad depression and anxiety and you are making it worst.

I have people on here that will let me know if I EVER say something wrong. Same as they have now seen your attitude and bullying.

 

[MaggieAmalia]

I love adjusting recipes and invariably my children totally loved whatever i cooked and for my gdaughter i would call each recipe Hodgepodge (1,2,3,4 etc) but forgot to make a list.. trivia but my extended family and i enjoyed eating at my table.

I see only a very creative lady using Carbonara sauce as she chose to use it in her meals and deserving of accolades and support and certainly with no
room for any denigrating comment. A negative incident certainly can be freely shared but not at the expense of belittling another person. We are better than that.

Indeed my assumption and pleasure has been in experiencing the sharing of members and the openess of the environment and i suggest developing comardrie, our mutual respect and the learning from the above interactions, so i thank one and all and look forward to more Senior posts.