Looking for a low calorie pasta recipes? I got you! My super Easy Creamy Carbonara Recipe is full of oh-so-creamy flavors that will keep you coming back for more! This is for all the pasta and creamy food lovers out there - let's call it a "carbonara day!"
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This easy creamy carbonara recipe has balanced flavors that keep you coming back for more, even your whole family! Perfect for easy school lunches for kids! You can customize this recipe without bacon, a simple chicken carbonara, or even a spicy carbonara noodle.
If you love to see my quick and easy creamy pasta recipes with few ingredients, try my Marry Me Chicken Pasta, Creamy Shrimp Linguine & Caramelized Onion Pasta!
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Ingredients for this Easy Creamy Carbonara Recipe
- Olive Oil
- Yellow Onion
- Smoked pork belly
- Heavy cream
- Fresh parsley
- Spaghetti
- Garlic Powder
- Salt & pepper to taste
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions for this Easy Creamy Carbonara Recipe!
Sauté Pork Belly and Onion
Prepare the Creamy Sauce
Combine with Spaghetti
Serve
1. Prepare the Ingredients:
Finely chop the onion and fresh parsley.
Dice the smoked pork belly into small pieces.
Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Sauté Pork Belly and Onion:
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat.
Add the diced smoked pork belly and chopped onion to the skillet.
Sauté for about 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pork belly is crispy and the onion is golden brown.
3. Prepare the Creamy Sauce:
Once the pork belly and onion are golden, pour in the heavy cream.
Sprinkle in the garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
Stir well to combine.
Let the mixture simmer over medium heat for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken slightly.
4. Combine with Spaghetti:
Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the creamy sauce.
Gently toss the spaghetti in the sauce until evenly coated.
Let the spaghetti simmer in the sauce for a couple of minutes to absorb the flavors and ensure everything is well combined.
5. Serve:
Once the spaghetti is well coated and heated through, remove the skillet from the heat.
Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the creamy carbonara.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve this Easy Creamy Carbonara Recipe, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Hint: Make sure to use 35% heavy cream.
Substitutions for this Easy Creamy Carbonara Recipe
Oil:
- Pork lard - this is the best substitute if you want the sauce to taste even better!
- Butter
- Any oil you prefer: vegetable, canola, coconut, avocado, and so much more.
Onion:
- Shallots
- Leeks
Smoked pork belly:
- Ham
- Bacon
- Pancetta - this is an Italian cured meat that's similar to bacon, this is the perfect substitute.
Heavy cream:
- Half-and-half - a mixture of equal parts milk and cream, half-and-half can is possible too!
- Evaporated milk - this has creamy consistency so it’s perfect for creamy sauces.
Fresh parsley:
- Dried parsley
- Basil
Spaghetti:
- Linguine
- Fettuccine
Garlic Powder:
- Fresh garlic
- Garlic paste
Feel free to adapt these substitutions based on your dietary preferences and what you have available in your pantry. Enjoy your modified dish!
Equipment
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Frying Pan
- Pot for boiling Pasta
Storage Instructions: Easy Creamy Carbonara Recipe
To keep your creamy carbonara fresh, pop it in a sealed container and into the fridge for up to 3 days. When you're ready to enjoy it again, warm it up gently in a pan on low heat, stirring every so often.
If it gets too thick, add a splash of milk or cream. Just be careful not to heat it too much or it might lose its yummy flavor!
3 Top Tips for Success!
- Crispy Pork Belly:
- To achieve that perfect crispy texture for your pork belly, make sure the skillet is hot before adding the pork belly and onion. Also, try to spread out the pork belly pieces in the skillet to ensure they cook evenly. This will help make the best Easy Creamy Carbonara Recipe.
- Flavor Infusion in the Creamy Sauce:
- Don't underestimate the power of infusing flavor into the creamy sauce. Add the garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the sauce when you add the heavy cream.
- Al dente Spaghetti:
- The key to perfect pasta in any dish, especially carbonara, is cooking the spaghetti al dente. This ensures the pasta retains a slight firmness and doesn't become mushy when combined with the creamy sauce.
FAQ's
What is carbonara cream made of?
Creamy carbonara sauce, is a mix of eggs, cheese, heavy cream, garlic, salt, and pepper. It's creamy and rich, giving your pasta a cozy vibe. Some recipes might add butter, onions, or shallots for extra flavor. This Easy Creamy Carbonara Recipe is basically a hug in a bowl for your pasta!
Question 2
How do you keep carbonara creamy?
To keep carbonara creamy, mix eggs, cheese, and cream off the heat. Add hot pasta slowly, stirring lots. Don't cook too hot or long, or it gets lumpy. Stir gently until it's thick but still creamy.
Question 3
Why is carbonara so creamy?
Carbonara is creamy because of its special sauce made from eggs, cheese (like Parmesan), and sometimes cream. When you mix them together and gently heat them, they get all smooth and velvety. The cheese makes it yummy and adds to the creamy feeling.
Related
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with [this recipe]:
Creamy Carbonara Recipe
Equipment
- Frying Pan
- Pot for Boiling Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 200 g smoked pork belly diced
- 500 ml heavy cream
- ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
- 300 g spaghetti
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- First, prepare the Ingredients: Finely chop the onion and fresh parsley. Dice the smoked pork belly into small pieces.
- Second, Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the diced smoked pork belly and chopped onion to the skillet.Sauté for about 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pork belly is crispy and the onion is golden brown.
- Once the pork belly and onion are golden, pour in the heavy cream. Sprinkle in the garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Stir well to combine. Let the mixture simmer over medium heat for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Combine with Spaghetti. Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the creamy sauce. Gently toss the spaghetti in the sauce until evenly coated. Let the spaghetti simmer in the sauce for a couple of minutes to absorb the flavors and ensure everything is well combined.
- Once the spaghetti is well coated and heated through, remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the creamy carbonara. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Amanda
I thought carbonara required eggs, but you don’t mention eggs…