Monday, March 19, 2012

Pasta Carbonara



I had Pasta Carbonara for the first time a few years ago in a restaurant and immediately began to figure out how to make this wonderful dish.  It is super simple, delicious, and the ingredients are minimal.  It is one of our favorites to throw together quickly with a some garlic toast and a side of veggies.

If you love pasta I highly encourage you to give this one a try.  I was initially intimidated to make this because of eggs, but after making it I learned it wasn't hard at all!  So what you waiting for?  Grab the ingredients and lets get cooking!



Pasta Carbonara
3 Eggs, room temperature (take them out of the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking)
1-1/2 cups Parmesan or Romano Cheese, finely grated
2 TBS Olive Oil
1/4 lb Pancetta, diced (you can use bacon if you can't find pancetta)
4 Cloves Garlic, chopped
1/2 cup Frozen Peas
Salt to taste (I leave it out since the bacon or pancetta are salty)
1 lb Spaghetti Noodles
Pepper to taste

  • In a small bowl whisk together eggs and parmesan cheese, set aside
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over low to medium heat
  • Add pancetta and cook about 10-15 minutes or until the fat has rendered (if the pancetta starts popping or sizzling lower the heat.  You want the fat to melt and you don't want your pancetta to burn! Check out this article on how to properly render fat) when done set aside
  • Add chopped garlic and cook for about 1 minute to soften
  • Meanwhile bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and prepare noodles as directed on the package for al dente, drain noodles, and reserve 1 cup of pasta liquid
  • Slowly whisk 1/2 cup pasta water in with the eggs (I completely forgot to save some pasta water so I skipped this step and it was fine just thicker than I normally make it)
  • Return the skillet with the pancetta to medium heat to rewarm 
  • Add pasta and toss to combine, cook about 2 minutes
  • Add peas, combine, and then remove from the heat(the peas will cook with the heat from the noodles and pancetta)
  • Pour in the egg mixture and whisk quickly so the eggs thicken (you do not want them scrambled so make sure the pan is not heated!)
  • If you want a thinner sauce use more of the reserved pasta water to reach the desired consistency
  • Season with salt and pepper if desired
  • Serve immediately and top with a little fresh grated parmesan cheese
For the small amount of ingredients the directions look intimidating, but please give this one a try.  I can almost guarantee you will fall in love with it.  It's really easy, quick, and delicious!  


Linked to:

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36 comments:

  1. Looks so yummy,thanks for linking up with us at Creative Mondays :)

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  2. Thanks for linking!
    I feel the same way about the eggs. I like that you included a link for rendering bacon.
    Have a great week.

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    1. Eggs still scare me. Not sure why, but I am sure it is probably because of the salmonella scares that were pounded into our brains since we were little. Before I first made this dish a few years ago I researched all over the place because I didn't believe it was right ;)

      I know it is helpful to get a full play by play on certain cooking methods. In fact I use this method many times, but never knew there was a name for it...lol I am learning more and more everyday ;)

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  3. I just ate supper... and you made me hungry again!!! YUM!!

    Thanks for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer... From Dream To Reality!!

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    1. This dish does that to me too...lol It's just so dang yummy :) Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

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  4. Well, I have never made this dish but it is on my list. I guess the eggs sort of freaked me out. But every time I see a photo of it, I want to try it. I am printing your recipe.

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    1. I was the same way. I am pretty sure it was Rachael Ray who finally convinced me to make it ;) I remember seeing it done on tv and that's when I was convinced. It definitely took some convincing for me to make though, but now it is so easy and such a great stand by dish! Hope you enjoy it and have a wonderful day!

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  5. This looks so good! I'm a new follower on FB and pinterest and would love to have you stop by my brand new blog and follow too! I also have my first link party and a give-away going on now through Saturday night. I hope you'll stop by and share this at the party!

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    1. Thank you so much! I will definitely check out your party :) Have a great day!

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  6. Thank you for stopping by and have a wonderful day :)

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  7. I think this one looks scrumptious! I'd so love it if you'd link up with us at Kids in the Kitchen - we meet each week to share yummy family friendly recipes and to encourage families to eat together :) http://bit.ly/kikLinkup6

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  8. This looks amazing! Thanks for sharing this recipe.

    Mrs. Delightful
    www.ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com

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  9. Nothing beats the tastiness of carbonara. Yum!

    Hopping by and followed your twitter, FB, G+ and Pinterest.

    Got a meatless meal recipe? Add it in our new meatless meal blog hop/showcase at http://olahmomma.com/momlounge

    See ya there! Have a great day:)

    The Quiet Mom at http://olahmomma.com

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    1. I am sure I have one somewhere ;) I will definitely stop by and check out the party!

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  10. looks so good! thank you for sharing :)

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  11. Absolutely delicious. I made this for the first time not long ago and fell in love, completely.

    For anyone worried about the eggs, there is absolutely no need to. People eat eggs over easy all the time, don't they? The yolk is cooked by the heat - just not solidified. Same here. And yummy, too! :)

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    1. After I did tons of research that's when I decided to give it a go ;) I am probably a strange one though because I won't eat eggs over easy...they just seem very gross to me. I never tried them though...it's just that texture that throws me I think :) Thanks for stopping by and sharing the great info!

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  12. Looks great! Thanks so much for sharing this recipe at Scrumptious Sunday at Addicted to Recipes! I look forward to seeing what you link up at the next party, starting on Sunday :-)

    http://iamaddictedtorecipes.blogspot.com

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  13. Hi Erika,
    Thank you so much for sharing your great recipe with Full Plate Thursday. Hope you are having a great Spring week end and come back to see me real soon!
    Miz Helen

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    1. Thank you Miz Helen! Hope you have a wonderful weekend as well!

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  14. Pasta Carbonara is one of my favorite dishes and I have SO been looking for a great recipe to try!

    Thanks for sharing this at Inspire Me Monday at Create WIth Joy! This is going in my recipe file!

    Look forward to seeing what you share with us this week at:

    Create With Joy
    http://create-with-joy.com

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    1. Thank you! It is one of my favorites too :) So simple, but the flavors are amazing!

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  15. This looks really good, I've never had it before but I have put it on my do list.

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  16. So yummy! It really is a gorgeous dish. Thanks so much for sharing at Mom On Timeout!

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