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Creamy Pea and Pancetta Carbonara

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A quick and easy creamy carbonara featuring smoky pancetta and sweet peas, perfect for cozy dinners. This recipe delivers a silky sauce without cream, balancing rich flavors and simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340 g) spaghetti or linguine
  • 4 oz (115 g) pancetta, diced
  • 1 cup (150 g) frozen peas
  • 3 large egg yolks, room temperature
  • 1 cup (100 g) Pecorino Romano cheese, finely grated
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Salt, for pasta water and seasoning

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt once boiling and cook pasta until al dente, about 8-9 minutes. Reserve 1 cup (240 ml) pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil and diced pancetta. Cook until golden and crispy, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Add minced garlic to pancetta and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, not browned.
  4. In a mixing bowl, whisk together egg yolks, grated Pecorino Romano, and freshly ground black pepper until smooth and slightly thick.
  5. Drain pasta and immediately transfer to skillet with pancetta and garlic. Toss to coat pasta with fat.
  6. Remove skillet from heat. Slowly pour in egg and cheese mixture while tossing pasta vigorously to prevent scrambling.
  7. Gradually add ½ cup (120 ml) reserved pasta water, tossing continuously until sauce is silky and creamy. Add more pasta water if needed.
  8. Fold in frozen peas and toss to warm through without overcooking.
  9. Adjust seasoning with more black pepper or cheese if desired.
  10. Serve immediately, garnished with extra cheese and pepper if desired.

Notes

Use room temperature egg yolks to prevent scrambling. Remove pan from heat before adding egg mixture. Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. For gluten-free, substitute pasta with gluten-free noodles. For dairy-free, use nutritional yeast instead of cheese and add extra olive oil.

Nutrition

Keywords: carbonara, creamy pasta, pancetta, peas, easy dinner, cozy meal, quick pasta recipe

Find it online: https://tempotaste.com/creamy-pea-and-pancetta-carbonara-recipe-for-easy-cozy-dinners/