Smoky Tomato Carbonara

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.

2. Step 2

   Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine eggs and egg yolks, cheese, 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper, and whisk well.

3. Step 3

   Heat a large skillet over medium. Add bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until starting to crisp, about 5 minutes. Pour off all but 3 tablespoons bacon grease (reserve any extra for another use). Add tomato paste and cook, stirring, until sizzling and starting to brown, about 1 minute. Add cherry tomatoes and cook, scraping up any browned bits, until softened and juices start to release, about 2 minutes. Remove skillet from heat.

4. Step 4

   Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup pasta water. Return pasta to pot (off the heat) and add the bacon-tomato mixture. (If necessary, use 2 tablespoons of pasta water to stir up any browned bits on the bottom of the skillet.)

5. Step 5

   While whisking constantly, slowly drizzle ½ cup of the hot pasta water into the beaten egg mixture until well blended. Slowly drizzle the tempered egg mixture into the pasta, tossing the pasta constantly and vigorously, until well incorporated and saucy. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle in more pasta water if a thinner consistency is desired.

6. Step 6

   Serve in bowls with more cheese and black pepper.