This easy linguine carbonara is the perfect dish for a quick yet indulgent meal. The creamy sauce is enhanced with savory ham, sweet peas, and a touch of wine, creating a comforting and satisfying experience with every bite.
Photos of Easy Linguine Carbonara Recipe
If you're preparing this dish, make sure to pick up some dry white wine and ham at the supermarket, as they might not be staples in every kitchen. Additionally, fresh parmesan cheese is essential for achieving the perfect creamy texture.
Ingredients for Easy Linguine Carbonara
Linguine: A type of pasta similar to fettuccine but slightly narrower.
Olive oil: Used for sautéing and adding richness to the dish.
Onion: Adds sweetness and depth of flavor.
Garlic: Provides a fragrant and savory base.
Ham: Savory meat that adds texture and flavor.
Dry white wine: Adds acidity and complexity to the sauce.
Peas: Adds a touch of sweetness and color.
Parmesan cheese: Essential for the creamy sauce with a nutty flavor.
Egg yolks: Helps to create a rich and creamy sauce.
Egg: Adds extra creaminess and binds the sauce.
Parsley: Fresh herb that adds a pop of color and freshness.
Pepper: Adds a bit of heat and flavor to the dish.
One reader, Cynde Shively says:
This easy linguine carbonara recipe is a game-changer! The creamy sauce, combined with the savory ham and fresh peas, creates a delightful dish. Simple steps and common ingredients make it perfect for a quick, delicious dinner. Highly recommend!
Key Techniques for Making Linguine Carbonara
How to cook pasta al dente: Boil pasta in salted water until it is firm to the bite, usually a minute or two less than the package instructions. How to reduce wine: Simmer wine over medium heat until most of the liquid evaporates, concentrating the flavors. How to temper eggs: Mix hot pasta with the egg mixture immediately to cook the eggs without scrambling them.
How To Make Easy Linguine Carbonara
In just 15 minutes, you can have a bite of this creamy linguine carbonara made with ham, peas, tender linguine noodles, and mixed in a creamy, cheesy sauce!
Serves:
Ingredients
- 1lblinguine,fresh
- 1tbspolive oil
- ¼cuponion,finely diced
- 1clovegarlic
- 2cupsham,diced
- ½cupdry white wine
- 1cuppeas,frozen
- 1cupParmesan cheese,grated
- 3egg yolks
- 1egg
- 1tbspparsley,fresh, chopped
- pepper,to taste
Instructions
-
Heat the olive oil and cook the ham, garlic, and onions over medium heat until the onion is translucent. Add the wine and let reduce until almost evaporated.
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Stir together the egg yolks, eggs, and Parmesan cheese. Set aside.
-
Cook the pasta and peas together in a large pot of salted water just until pasta is al dente. Drain the pasta, ensuring that you reserve 1½ cups of the cooking liquid.
-
Immediately toss the pasta with the egg mixture and ham (do this right away to ensure the hot pasta cooks the egg).
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Add the reserved cooking liquid a little at a time to get the desired consistency, about ¾ cup.
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Stir in parsley and serve.
Nutrition
- Calories: 909.97kcal
- Fat: 30.28g
- Saturated Fat: 12.11g
- Trans Fat: 0.00g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 12.61g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 3.35g
- Carbohydrates: 99.02g
- Fiber: 5.97g
- Sugar: 6.21g
- Protein: 52.03g
- Cholesterol: 241.76mg
- Sodium: 1721.32mg
- Calcium: 512.54mg
- Potassium: 821.47mg
- Iron: 4.01mg
- Vitamin A: 150.71µg
- Vitamin C: 16.74mg
Crucial Technique Tip for Perfect Linguine Carbonara
To achieve a silky and creamy texture for your carbonara, make sure to toss the hot pasta immediately with the egg mixture. The residual heat from the pasta will gently cook the eggs without scrambling them, creating a smooth sauce.
Time-Saving Tips for Easy Linguine Carbonara
Pre-chop ingredients: Chop the onion, garlic, and ham in advance and store them in the fridge.
Use frozen peas: Opt for frozen peas instead of fresh to save time on shelling and washing.
Pre-grate cheese: Grate the parmesan cheese ahead of time and keep it in an airtight container.
Boil water first: Start boiling the water for the pasta while you prep other ingredients to save time.
Measure ingredients: Measure out the olive oil, wine, and other ingredients before you start cooking.
Substitute Ingredients For Easy Linguine Carbonara Recipe
linguine - Substitute with spaghetti: Both are long pasta shapes and have similar textures, making them interchangeable in most recipes.
olive oil - Substitute with canola oil: Canola oil has a neutral flavor and similar cooking properties, making it a good alternative.
onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots have a milder and slightly sweeter flavor, which can add a subtle depth to the dish.
garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: If fresh garlic is unavailable, garlic powder can provide a similar flavor, though it is less pungent.
ham - Substitute with bacon: Bacon adds a smoky flavor and crispy texture, which can enhance the overall taste of the carbonara.
dry white wine - Substitute with chicken broth: Chicken broth provides a savory depth without the alcohol, making it a suitable replacement.
peas - Substitute with asparagus: Asparagus adds a similar pop of color and a slightly different but complementary flavor to the dish.
parmesan cheese - Substitute with pecorino romano: Pecorino Romano has a similar texture and a slightly saltier, sharper flavor, which works well in carbonara.
egg yolks - Substitute with whole eggs: Using whole eggs can provide a similar creamy texture, though the flavor may be slightly different.
egg - Substitute with silken tofu: Silken tofu can mimic the creamy texture of eggs, making it a good vegan alternative.
parsley - Substitute with basil: Basil offers a different but fresh and aromatic flavor that can complement the dish well.
pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a milder flavor and can be used to maintain the dish's seasoning without altering its appearance.
Best Way to Present Easy Linguine Carbonara
Serve smaller portion sizes: Present the linguine in a delicate nest, ensuring each plate has a modest, refined portion that highlights the elegance of the dish.
Use decoration: Garnish with a light sprinkle of finely chopped parsley and a few shavings of parmesan cheese to add a touch of color and sophistication.
Highlight ingredients: Place a few pieces of the cooked ham and peas strategically on top of the pasta to showcase the key components of the dish.
Add texture: Drizzle a small amount of olive oil over the top to give a glossy finish and enhance the texture of the linguine.
Use elegant plating: Serve the dish on a pristine white plate to make the colors of the linguine and peas pop, creating a visually appealing presentation.
Incorporate height: Use a fork to twist the linguine into a tall, elegant mound, adding height and dimension to the plate.
Balance flavors: Ensure that each bite has a perfect balance of the creamy egg mixture, savory ham, and sweet peas to delight the palate.
Serve immediately: Present the dish while it is still hot to maintain the creamy consistency of the egg mixture and the al dente texture of the linguine.
Essential Tools for Making Linguine Carbonara
Large pot: Used to cook the linguine and peas together in salted water until the pasta is al dente.
Colander: Essential for draining the pasta and peas while reserving some of the cooking liquid.
Large skillet: Needed to heat the olive oil and cook the ham, garlic, and onions until the onion is translucent.
Wooden spoon: Useful for stirring the ham, garlic, and onions as they cook, and for mixing the pasta with the egg mixture.
Measuring cups: Necessary for accurately measuring the wine, parmesan cheese, and reserved cooking liquid.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the olive oil and parsley.
Mixing bowl: Required to stir together the egg yolks, eggs, and parmesan cheese.
Whisk: Handy for combining the egg yolks, eggs, and parmesan cheese into a smooth mixture.
Chef's knife: Essential for finely chopping the onion and parsley.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for chopping the onion and parsley.
Garlic press: Optional but useful for mincing the garlic clove quickly.
Tongs: Helpful for tossing the pasta with the egg mixture and ham to ensure even coating.
Pepper mill: Used to freshly grind pepper over the finished dish for added flavor.
Storing and Freezing Linguine Carbonara
- Let the linguine carbonara cool completely before storing or freezing.
- To store in the refrigerator, place the cooled pasta in an airtight container. It will keep well for up to 3-4 days.
- For longer storage, you can freeze the carbonara:
- Divide the cooled pasta into individual portions and place them in freezer-safe containers or resealable bags.
- Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing the bags to prevent freezer burn.
- Label the containers or bags with the date and contents for easy identification.
- Frozen linguine carbonara will maintain its best quality for up to 2-3 months.
- To reheat the frozen carbonara, transfer the desired portion to a microwave-safe dish and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat it in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring gently to prevent the pasta from sticking.
- If the reheated carbonara seems dry, add a splash of water or milk to help loosen the sauce and restore its creamy texture.
- Note that the texture of the pasta may change slightly after freezing and reheating, but the flavor will still be delicious.
How To Reheat Leftover Linguine Carbonara
Reheat the linguine carbonara in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring gently to prevent the pasta from sticking together. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to help loosen the sauce and keep the dish moist. Heat until the pasta is warmed through and the sauce is creamy.
For a quick and easy reheating method, place the leftover carbonara in a microwave-safe dish and cover it with a damp paper towel. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the pasta is heated through and the sauce is bubbling. Be careful not to overheat, as this can cause the eggs in the sauce to scramble.
If you have a bit more time, you can reheat the linguine carbonara in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the pasta to an oven-safe dish, cover it with foil, and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. Remove the foil for the last few minutes of baking to allow the top to brown slightly.
For a crispy twist, reheat the carbonara in a skillet. Melt a small amount of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the leftover pasta and spread it out evenly in the pan. Cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes, or until the bottom is golden and crispy. Stir the pasta and continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes, or until heated through.
If you find that the reheated carbonara sauce is too thick, you can thin it out by stirring in a small amount of heavy cream, milk, or reserved pasta water. This will help to restore the creamy texture of the sauce without compromising its flavor.
Interesting Fact About Linguine Carbonara
A unique aspect of this linguine carbonara recipe is the inclusion of ham and peas, which adds a delightful twist to the traditional carbonara.
Is Making Linguine Carbonara at Home Cost-Effective?
This easy linguine carbonara recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. Using common ingredients like ham, onion, and parmesan cheese, it balances affordability and flavor. The inclusion of peas adds a nutritious touch without breaking the bank. Overall, I would rate this recipe an 8 out of 10 for cost-effectiveness. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $15-$20 USD, making it a budget-friendly yet delicious option for dinner.
Is Linguine Carbonara Healthy or Unhealthy?
The easy linguine carbonara recipe, while delicious, may not be the healthiest option due to several factors:
- The dish is high in saturated fat from the ham, parmesan cheese, and egg yolks, which can contribute to heart disease and high cholesterol levels when consumed in excess.
- The recipe calls for a significant amount of salt, both in the cooking water and the ham, which can lead to high sodium intake and potential health issues like hypertension.
- The dish is relatively low in fiber, as it primarily consists of refined carbohydrates from the linguine pasta.
However, the recipe does include some nutritious ingredients, such as:
- Peas, which are a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
- Olive oil, which is a healthy fat that can help reduce inflammation and improve heart health.
- Garlic and onions, which contain antioxidants and have potential health benefits.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Swap the linguine for whole wheat or legume-based pasta to increase the fiber content and provide additional nutrients.
- Reduce the amount of ham and cheese, or opt for lower-fat alternatives like turkey bacon and reduced-fat parmesan.
- Increase the proportion of peas or add other vegetables like spinach, broccoli, or asparagus to boost the dish's nutrient density.
- Use a combination of whole eggs and egg whites instead of just egg yolks to lower the saturated fat content while maintaining the creamy texture.
- Adjust the seasoning to reduce the overall sodium content, and consider using fresh herbs like basil or thyme to add flavor without relying on salt.
Editor's Opinion on This Linguine Carbonara Recipe
This linguine carbonara recipe offers a delightful twist with ham and peas, adding a touch of sweetness and texture. The use of dry white wine enhances the depth of flavor, while the egg and parmesan mixture ensures a creamy, rich sauce. Cooking the pasta and peas together is efficient, though traditionalists might miss the classic pancetta. The reserved pasta water is a smart addition for achieving the perfect consistency. Overall, it's a simple yet sophisticated dish that balances convenience with gourmet appeal.
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Why trust this Easy Linguine Carbonara Recipe:
This recipe for linguine carbonara is a delightful blend of simplicity and flavor. The use of ham adds a savory depth, while the egg yolks and parmesan cheese create a creamy, rich sauce. Cooking pasta and peas together saves time and infuses the dish with a touch of sweetness. The addition of dry white wine elevates the overall taste, making it a restaurant-quality meal at home. Trust this recipe for its balance of flavors and straightforward instructions.
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