Spaetzle is a Swabian specialty that is often served with lentils, goulash and other hearty dishes. Spätzle, like other types of pasta, consists mainly of eggs and wheat flour.
The fattier the bacon, the better: an original carbonara includes guanciale or pancetta, i.e. pork bacon with a high fat content. This emulsifies with the starchy pasta water and creates a creamy texture. Pasta water instead of tap water : the starch it contains also binds the carbonara.