What does carbonara mean?

They all have explained really nicely already.

So, here I will include my fav recipe for this dish, ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!!

5 teaspoons olive oil

4 shallots, diced

1 large onion, cut into thin strips

1 pound bacon, cut into strips

1 clove garlic, chopped

1 (16 ounce) package fettuccini pasta

3 egg yolks

1/2 cup heavy cream

3/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

salt and pepper to taste

Heat olive oil in a large heavy saucepan over medium heat. Saute shallots until softened. Stir in onion and bacon, and cook until bacon is evenly browned. Stir in garlic when bacon is about half done. Remove from heat.

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente. Drain pasta, then return it to the pot.

In a medium bowl, whisk together egg yolks, cream, and shredded Parmesan. Pour the bacon mixture over the pasta, then stir in the cream mixture. Season with salt and pepper. Serves 6.

================

I agree with Wizza, except for cream, which I believe to be an addition to the traditional dish (however, she may be referencing a specific Italian town's version ~ many seem to have their own twist on the classics):

Carbonara:

Pasta that is mixed, immediately after boiling, with a sauce of sautéed bacon and onions, Parmesan cheese, black pepper, and beaten eggs (often known as Spaghetti Carbonara).

In the recipe I have made for years, which came from my Italian aunt, I actually use fettichini (I believe the original recipe called for spaghetti), and prosciutto, bacon, or ham. We have also added peas, tuna (not canned), and cooked shrimp to change-it up a bit.

Added: Cream, wine, and just about anything else you would like to add is totally fine! Why not make 2 lbs. of yummy bacon ~ snack on 1/2 lb. while using the rest in the dish. Or, more my avenue at this time of day, using cream, and while not wanting to waste, make a Kahlua & Cream drink (or TWO) ~ yeah, that sounds wonderful about now ;)

Carbonara - An Italian term that refers to a pasta dish of spaghetti or other noodles with a sauce of cream, eggs, Parmesan cheese, and bits of bacon. Fresh green peas are sometimes used to add flavor and color.

Nigella Feasts has a great recipe for this. The most basic is simply bacon, eggs, parmeson cheese and freshly ground pepper. I use spaghettini. You can add white wine, cream, and all manner of other stuff but then it's not the classic.

If you're thinking of a pasta sauce with squid or octopus, you're probably thinking of marinara

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbonara