Description
Italian cuisine shines through this tortellini carbonara, blending traditional pasta techniques with creamy Roman-style sauce. Cheese, pancetta, and eggs create a luxurious comfort dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 1 pound (454 grams) tortellini (cheese-filled or your choice)
Meat:
- 4 ounces (113 grams) pancetta, diced
Cheese and Eggs:
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Extras:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Salt, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Boil tortellini in salted water according to package directions until al dente, approximately 3-4 minutes. Carefully extract and reserve 1/2 cup of starchy cooking liquid.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced pancetta and sauté until golden and crisp, rendering its rich fat.
- Introduce minced garlic to the pan, stirring quickly to prevent burning and release its aromatic essence, cooking for roughly 30-45 seconds.
- Whisk eggs and grated Parmesan cheese in a separate bowl until smooth and well-combined, creating a silky sauce base.
- Transfer drained tortellini directly into the skillet with pancetta and garlic, immediately removing from heat to prevent overcooking.
- Gradually stream the egg mixture over hot tortellini, continuously tossing to coat evenly and prevent egg scrambling. Incorporate reserved pasta water incrementally to achieve a luxurious, creamy consistency.
- Season generously with freshly cracked black pepper and kosher salt. Garnish with finely chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese. Serve piping hot for optimal flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use room temperature eggs to prevent scrambling and ensure a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Reserve pasta water beforehand to help create the perfect silky texture without drying out the dish.
- Quickly remove pan from heat when adding egg mixture to prevent overcooking and maintain a luxurious, velvety consistency.
- For a vegetarian version, swap pancetta with crispy mushrooms or smoked tofu to maintain a rich, savory flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg