• HOME
  • MEET EMILY
  • CONTACT
  • J’ADORE (MY LIKETOKNOW.IT FAVORITES)
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

the style du jour

A mindful living blog

Food, Recipes

6 Ingredient Carbonara with Parmigiano Reggiano

November 22, 2017

Carbonara with parmigiano reggiano served on a white plate

My mom’s carbonara recipe is tossed with pancetta, beaten egg and freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano to create a rich, hearty and peppery flavor. This six ingredient carbonara is a 30 minute recipe you’ll want to file under your favorite weeknight recipes!

My most vivid memory of this hearty dish is while vacationing at the New Jersey Shore as a kid. My mom, grandma and great aunt busily working together in the small kitchen of our vacation home after a long, lazy day spent at the beach. Ice popping in their happy hour gin & tonics. The smokey smell of pancetta popping in butter on the stove. The hum of the window fans spinning to combat the July temps and the heat coming from the kitchen. Helping to grate the Parmigiano Reggiano until my little hand felt sore (enough to make a double batch). A belly full of warm pasta following a full day of swimming in the ocean.

carbonara with parmigiano reggiano served on a white plate

What’s so special about Parmigiano Reggiano?

  • Parmigiano Reggiano is made in the areas in and around the province of Parma by nearly 400 cheese makers.
  • The milk is used straight from the cows – fresh and without additives.
  • Due to the long aging process, Parmigiano Reggiano is naturally lactose-free.
  • Parmigiano Reggiano is made by hand and aged for up to 24 months or more. During this time the cheese develops its flavor and texture.

How To Recognize Parmigiano Reggiano At the Store

  • Parmigiano Reggiano has a hard golden rind. Look for the pin-dots on the rind  to know you’re buying the real deal. Check out the photo above to see what I mean!
  • If the cheese is only labeled as “Parmesan” it’s not Parmigiano Reggiano, but an imitation. Parmesan is fine, but there’s no replicating the robust flavor of real Parmigiano Reggiano.
  • For the richest flavor, freshly grate the cheese from the wedge as you need it for cooking.

Carbonara with parmigiano reggiano in a big white bowl

Carbonara Recipe Adjustment Ideas

Let me be clear. This carbonara recipe requires no tweaking! But, if you find yourself without some of the ingredients or wanting to use up others in your fridge, here are some other ways we enjoy carbonara:

  • Meatless Monday version. I’ll admit, you’ll lose the smokiness and richness from the bacon and smoked ham. We’ve been eating predominately plant-based meals these days so I didn’t have bacon and smoke ham on hand the other night. So in place of the meat, I added an extra egg and more Parmigiano Regianno and it was delicious (as pictured above).
  • Go green. We often toss a handful of frozen peas at the end of the recipe (when you toss the pasta with the meat, egg, mushrooms and Parmigiano Regianno).
  • Herbs the word. Top your finished bowl of pasta with fresh and chopped basil or flat-leaf parsley or mix in a couple handfuls of peppery arugula.

Add this quick and easy carbonara recipe to your weeknight meals file – you won’t be disappointed!

XOXO,

Emily

Print Recipe

Parmigiano Reggiano Carbonara

This simple yet sophisticated carbonara recipe combines the smokiness of pancetta with the richness of Parmigiano Reggiano to create the perfect weeknight meal. Pair with your favorite glass of wine. Mangia!
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time25 mins
Total Time30 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: pasta
Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup smoked ham, chopped
  • 1/2 cup lean bacon, chopped *We often use pancetta
  • 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
  • 1/4 cup Parmigiano Reggiano, finely grated
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 pound dry pasta
  • 2 Tbsp butter
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  • Add dry pasta to a large pot of salted, boiling water. Cook noodles for about 8-10 minutes or until al dente. Note: Before you drain the noodles, reserve about a 1/4 cup of the pasta water.
  • While pasta cooks, sauté the ham and bacon/pancetta with the butter and extra virgin olive oil until lightly brown.
  • Add mushrooms to the pan and cook for about two minutes.
  • In a medium sized bowl, combine the eggs with the Parmigiano Reggiano.
  • Once pasta is cooked al dente, add pasta to the pan with the mushrooms, ham and bacon. Top with the egg and Parmigiano Reggiano mixture. Toss pasta gingerly to evenly coat. Add a small amount of the pasta water, if needed, to help coat the noodles.
  • Plate the pasta and top with more grated Parmigiano Reggiano and freshly cracked black pepper, as desired. Eat and enjoy immediately!

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Leave a Comment

« Shop Small in Highland Park, IL: A blogger’s review + gift guide
Five Unique Holiday Gifts for Kids And a Giveaway! ($300+) »

RELATED POSTS

  • Quinoa salad with roasted root vegetables and fetaQuinoa Salad with Feta and Toasted Pistachio Dressing
  • Pepperoni Panzanella with basil, tomatoes and mozzarellaEasy Spring Salad – Pepperoni Panzanella
  • Brandy-Soaked Grilled Nectarines with Maple, Brown Sugar Butter
  • A Taco Tuesday Recipe – Mini Taco Meatball Bowls with Pomegranate Salsa

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Emily Schiller RDN The Style Du Jour

Hello! I'm Emily, a mama of three, a registered dietitian nutritionist and a content creator. Here on The Style Du Jour I serve up every day tips fit for you and your family with a mindful living intention at heart. You can find my tips in FoodNetwork, Parade and kitchn, to name a few. Thanks for stopping by!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING?

CATEGORIES

FEATURED POSTS

The Style Du Jour 2022 Holiday Gift Guide

2022 Holiday Gift Guide

9 Lifestyle Purchases from Amazon that are Influencer-Approved

9 Lifestyle Purchases I made from Amazon This Summer

DIY north shore Chicago pool house pergola The Style Du Jour

A DIY North Shore Chicago Pool House – Part 2

Woman wearing a white and floral dress

Pieces You Need for Your Spring Closet

Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding in glass jars topped with fresh red raspberries

Creamy Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding

holiday styling tips with Lila Ryan denim

Four Holiday Looks with Lila Ryan

Fall minimalist and neutral clothing from H&M

Fall Fashion Refresh from H&M

Pool house featuring Slim Aaron's Poolside Gossip

A DIY North Shore Chicago Pool House

sheet pan pancakes made with rainbow sprinkles and cut into heart shapes placed on a breakfast board with fresh fruit and maple syrup

Always Fluffy Sheet Pan Pancakes

Simple Chocolate Chick Pea Dessert Hummus

Follow on Instagram

© 2019 THE STYLE DU JOUR

THEME BY ECLAIR DESIGNS
 

Loading Comments...