Carbonara is one of my favorite pasta dishes and I had been craving it. A carbonara pasta is normally made from an egg yolk, pecorino romano, bacon and pepper. Asparagus is in season and I was thinking that it was similar in shape to penne pasta and that and asparagus penne carbonara would be really nice. Carbonara is really easy to make and it comes together in less time that it takes to cook the pasta. The asparagus carbonara was really good! It was a nice spring twist on a classic!
Asparagus Carbonara
Prep Time:10 minutes Cook Time:15 minutes Total Time:25 minutes Servings: 2
ingredients
- 2 ounces penne (gluten free for gluten free)
- 4 slices bacon (chopped)
- 1 handful asparagus
- 1 clove garlic (chopped)
- pepper to taste
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- 1/4 cup pecorino romano
- 1 tablespoon parsley (chopped)
directions
- Start cooking the penne.
- Fry the bacon in a pan.
- Cut the asparagus into penne shaped pieces.
- Drain most of the fat from the pan but reserve some to cook the asparagus.
- Add the asparagus, garlic and pepper and toss to coat in the bacon grease.
- Mix the egg yolk, heavy cream and pecorino romano in a bowl.
- Drain the cooked pasta reserving some of the water.
- Add the pasta to the pan and toss.
- Remove the pan from the heat and wait for the sizzling to stop.
- Add the egg mixture and toss to coat.
- Add a bit of the pasta water and toss to mix and coat.
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VeggieGirl says
June 9, 2008 at 2:12 amAsparagus + pasta = incredible.
Lisa says
June 9, 2008 at 2:17 amSans bacon, this is a perfect use of the asparagus I currently have on hand.
noble pig says
June 9, 2008 at 2:19 amI bet the bacon is perfect with that asparagus. It sounds so good together.
Daziano says
June 9, 2008 at 2:25 amNice! But you do your carbonara like in some parts of Northern Italy (with cream). Traditional carbonara is from Rome, and no cream on it. However I like being creative, and this version with asparagus looks very good!
Elle says
June 9, 2008 at 2:29 amThis looks fantastic, and incredibly easy, too. mmmm, bacon and cheeeese…
StickyGooeyCreamyChewy says
June 9, 2008 at 2:44 amThis is the second post I’ve read today using bacon, asparagus and eggs. I think it’s a great flavor combo! The pasta looks delicious!
Manggy says
June 9, 2008 at 2:55 amI think many carbonaras have turned me off because people don’t use good-quality cheese or overcook it. Your recipe on the other hand, looks lovely, and the addition of asparagus is great! 🙂
Gattina says
June 9, 2008 at 4:04 amLove it!
Bridgett says
June 9, 2008 at 5:07 amPerfect! i love asparagus in pasta and you can never go wrong with carbonara.
So Simple says
June 9, 2008 at 8:57 amFunny I should see this today Kevin.
I saw Ruth Rogers from the fabulous Italian Cafe on Food TV this morning. She made carbonara. She didn’t use cream.
I want to try it so I will and if it is as good as hers I’ll post it for your PPN.
Good luck
Dhanggit says
June 9, 2008 at 9:33 ami would love to have some!! yum!
Greg Turner says
June 9, 2008 at 9:57 amSounds awesome! Carbonara is one of my favorite pasta recipes, and the addition to asparagus makes perfect sense. Can’t believe I never tried it before!
Gretchen Noelle says
June 9, 2008 at 12:21 pmI have been considering making a carbonara. I would probably like it much more with vegetables like this.
Rosie says
June 9, 2008 at 1:39 pmAsparagus, bacon and cheese pasta oh my just perfection on a plate mmmm
Rosie x
cakewardrobe says
June 9, 2008 at 2:58 pmI <3 carbonara!
cook eat FRET says
June 9, 2008 at 3:39 pmcatching up on your last handful of posts and once again – wow. WOW. i am a carbonara fan beyond words. and the rhubarb crumble – WOW. and the mango chicken sandwich just looked wonderful. it’s endless…
renae du jour says
June 9, 2008 at 4:16 pmKevin, thanks so much for this recipe. I’ve tried to make this before and had some raw egg show up… your version would eliminate that. It looks delicious.
Erin @ The Skinny Gourmet says
June 9, 2008 at 6:21 pmYum! Sounds delightful. Carbonara is one of my favorite sauces, but so underappreciated in the US.
Cookie baker Lynn says
June 9, 2008 at 7:03 pmAsparagus is a nice touch. It makes carbonara seem like health food. Delicious health food!
Laura @ Hungry and Frozen says
June 9, 2008 at 7:23 pmFabulous, carbonara is one of my very favourite things (notice I said things, not just foods)…I like your twist! Looks gorgeous.
Pam says
June 9, 2008 at 7:37 pmYUM! I love asparagus and bacon… This is a perfect meal.
Jan says
June 9, 2008 at 7:56 pmLooks great Kevin! I love the asparagus in it……altogether one YUMMY dish!
Proud Italian Cook says
June 9, 2008 at 8:36 pmGreat concept Kevin, it looks really good!
Kylie says
June 9, 2008 at 9:15 pmHow have I managed to miss out on carbonara all this time?!?! It sounds absolutely wonderful, and really easy! I can’t wait to try this.
crazy4shabbychic says
June 9, 2008 at 10:42 pmThis is right up my ally! Am I glad I clicked on your link from Elise Bauer’s blog! Your recipes/pics look AMAZING!!! Can’t wait to try some out!
Jessy and her dog Winnie says
June 9, 2008 at 11:29 pmWow im amazed yet again. I wish I could make something so spectacular for dinner!
My Sweet & Saucy says
June 10, 2008 at 5:18 amYou’re right…this does look like a great twist on Carbonara!
Cindy. Lo. says
June 10, 2008 at 5:56 amI started to like the taste of asparagus in this past few years,
Loved the dish!
Cooking and the City says
June 10, 2008 at 2:19 pmlooks great, I could very easily eat pasta every night! 🙂
nicisme says
June 10, 2008 at 4:43 pmThis is my kind of pasta, it looks delicious Kevin.
The Urban Eater says
June 10, 2008 at 6:00 pmOkay, Yum. Ya know. I have never had Carbonara. I know. It’s amazing. I married a chef who studied in Italy and I have NEVER had Carbonara.
What the hell is wrong with me?
Meghan says
June 10, 2008 at 6:42 pmthis looks wonderful kevin… i love this idea!
Sharon says
June 11, 2008 at 4:15 amYou know, you always have the most amazing looking pasta dishes! Sometimes I shy away from carbonara because its so heavy but this looks light and fresh.
syrie says
June 11, 2008 at 6:09 amKevin, this dish looks delicious. I love how much you use asparagus. It’s such a versatile vegetable.
Mochachocolata Rita says
June 11, 2008 at 9:07 ami love carbonara anything ^_^
Deborah says
June 11, 2008 at 4:09 pmI love all of the different ways you’ve been using asparagus!
Gigi says
June 11, 2008 at 10:00 pmThis is one of my all time favorite pasta dishes! And the addition of asparagus sound yummy.
Tarah says
June 13, 2008 at 5:14 pmI love Carbonara’s. This one is one I need to try! :]
Ruth Daniels says
June 14, 2008 at 12:59 amGreat choice and thanks again for hosting Presto Pasta Nights.
Gretchen Noelle says
June 14, 2008 at 9:13 pmWell I just had my first carbonara thanks to this recipe. Delicious!
maybelles parents says
June 17, 2008 at 12:14 amthanks for visiting me. and, you asparagus carbonara looks great.
Dawn@Embracing the Ordinary Life says
April 29, 2009 at 9:58 pmI don’t even know how I got to your page…but I am so glad I did..this looks devine, and thank you for posting a single serve recipie…cause I am the only one in my house that would eat this…
YiFamily says
June 12, 2012 at 10:14 pmMade this today for lunch. So yummy. My daughter & her friend gobbled it.
Steph says
July 10, 2012 at 5:44 pmKevin, this is not only one of my favorite recipes from you but one of my favorite recipes EVER! So easy, quick, and delicious it's almost unreal. The boyfriend has already asked me to cook this again tomorrow 🙂
Silly question for you, though: how is the sauce safe to eat? As far as I can tell, the egg isn't actually cooked at any point, but obviously I didn't get sick so there must be something going on I don't understand.
Once again, bravo on the recipe! Will definitely be trying more of yours!
Kevin says
July 10, 2012 at 11:38 pmSteph: Glad you enjoy it so much! It is definitely one of my spring/summer time favourite dishes!
This dish tries to run the fine line between cooking the egg yolk sauce enough without scrambling it. The yolks are cooked when they are tossed with the still hot pasta, asparagus and pasta water in the hot pan.
cristina says
July 23, 2012 at 3:32 pmi am italian, and i have to say that the original carbonara is NOT with the pecorino romano but with the PARMIGIANO REGGIANO, and NOT with bacon but with GUANCIALE, wich are pretty different things, and ABSOLUTELY WITHOUT CREAM or garlic.
adding asparagus could be a nice idea… but don't try to call it carbonara, it sounds awful to an italian!!!!!
if you will ever come to italy, you will taste the difference!!
Anonymous says
March 18, 2013 at 1:51 amasparagus makes my pee smell funny
Anonymous says
June 5, 2013 at 4:00 amJust made this or dinner. YUM!!!!