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Asparagus Carbonara

[heart_this] · Jun 9, 2008 · 48 Comments

Asparagus Carbonara

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

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
  1. Start cooking the penne.
  2. Fry the bacon in a pan.
  3. Cut the asparagus into penne shaped pieces.
  4. Drain most of the fat from the pan but reserve some to cook the asparagus.
  5. Add the asparagus, garlic and pepper and toss to coat in the bacon grease.
  6. Mix the egg yolk, heavy cream and pecorino romano in a bowl.
  7. Drain the cooked pasta reserving some of the water.
  8. Add the pasta to the pan and toss.
  9. Remove the pan from the heat and wait for the sizzling to stop.
  10. Add the egg mixture and toss to coat.
  11. Add a bit of the pasta water and toss to mix and coat.
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Bacon, Food, Gluten-free, Italian, Main Course, Pasta, Recipe

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. VeggieGirl says

    June 9, 2008 at 2:12 am

    Asparagus + pasta = incredible.

    Reply
  2. Lisa says

    June 9, 2008 at 2:17 am

    Sans bacon, this is a perfect use of the asparagus I currently have on hand.

    Reply
  3. noble pig says

    June 9, 2008 at 2:19 am

    I bet the bacon is perfect with that asparagus. It sounds so good together.

    Reply
  4. Daziano says

    June 9, 2008 at 2:25 am

    Nice! 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!

    Reply
  5. Elle says

    June 9, 2008 at 2:29 am

    This looks fantastic, and incredibly easy, too. mmmm, bacon and cheeeese…

    Reply
  6. StickyGooeyCreamyChewy says

    June 9, 2008 at 2:44 am

    This 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!

    Reply
  7. Manggy says

    June 9, 2008 at 2:55 am

    I 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! 🙂

    Reply
  8. Gattina says

    June 9, 2008 at 4:04 am

    Love it!

    Reply
  9. Bridgett says

    June 9, 2008 at 5:07 am

    Perfect! i love asparagus in pasta and you can never go wrong with carbonara.

    Reply
  10. So Simple says

    June 9, 2008 at 8:57 am

    Funny 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

    Reply
  11. Dhanggit says

    June 9, 2008 at 9:33 am

    i would love to have some!! yum!

    Reply
  12. Greg Turner says

    June 9, 2008 at 9:57 am

    Sounds 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!

    Reply
  13. Gretchen Noelle says

    June 9, 2008 at 12:21 pm

    I have been considering making a carbonara. I would probably like it much more with vegetables like this.

    Reply
  14. Rosie says

    June 9, 2008 at 1:39 pm

    Asparagus, bacon and cheese pasta oh my just perfection on a plate mmmm

    Rosie x

    Reply
  15. cakewardrobe says

    June 9, 2008 at 2:58 pm

    I <3 carbonara!

    Reply
  16. cook eat FRET says

    June 9, 2008 at 3:39 pm

    catching 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…

    Reply
  17. renae du jour says

    June 9, 2008 at 4:16 pm

    Kevin, 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.

    Reply
  18. Erin @ The Skinny Gourmet says

    June 9, 2008 at 6:21 pm

    Yum! Sounds delightful. Carbonara is one of my favorite sauces, but so underappreciated in the US.

    Reply
  19. Cookie baker Lynn says

    June 9, 2008 at 7:03 pm

    Asparagus is a nice touch. It makes carbonara seem like health food. Delicious health food!

    Reply
  20. Laura @ Hungry and Frozen says

    June 9, 2008 at 7:23 pm

    Fabulous, carbonara is one of my very favourite things (notice I said things, not just foods)…I like your twist! Looks gorgeous.

    Reply
  21. Pam says

    June 9, 2008 at 7:37 pm

    YUM! I love asparagus and bacon… This is a perfect meal.

    Reply
  22. Jan says

    June 9, 2008 at 7:56 pm

    Looks great Kevin! I love the asparagus in it……altogether one YUMMY dish!

    Reply
  23. Proud Italian Cook says

    June 9, 2008 at 8:36 pm

    Great concept Kevin, it looks really good!

    Reply
  24. Kylie says

    June 9, 2008 at 9:15 pm

    How 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.

    Reply
  25. crazy4shabbychic says

    June 9, 2008 at 10:42 pm

    This 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!

    Reply
  26. Jessy and her dog Winnie says

    June 9, 2008 at 11:29 pm

    Wow im amazed yet again. I wish I could make something so spectacular for dinner!

    Reply
  27. My Sweet & Saucy says

    June 10, 2008 at 5:18 am

    You’re right…this does look like a great twist on Carbonara!

    Reply
  28. Cindy. Lo. says

    June 10, 2008 at 5:56 am

    I started to like the taste of asparagus in this past few years,
    Loved the dish!

    Reply
  29. Cooking and the City says

    June 10, 2008 at 2:19 pm

    looks great, I could very easily eat pasta every night! 🙂

    Reply
  30. nicisme says

    June 10, 2008 at 4:43 pm

    This is my kind of pasta, it looks delicious Kevin.

    Reply
  31. The Urban Eater says

    June 10, 2008 at 6:00 pm

    Okay, 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?

    Reply
  32. Meghan says

    June 10, 2008 at 6:42 pm

    this looks wonderful kevin… i love this idea!

    Reply
  33. Sharon says

    June 11, 2008 at 4:15 am

    You 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.

    Reply
  34. syrie says

    June 11, 2008 at 6:09 am

    Kevin, this dish looks delicious. I love how much you use asparagus. It’s such a versatile vegetable.

    Reply
  35. Mochachocolata Rita says

    June 11, 2008 at 9:07 am

    i love carbonara anything ^_^

    Reply
  36. Deborah says

    June 11, 2008 at 4:09 pm

    I love all of the different ways you’ve been using asparagus!

    Reply
  37. Gigi says

    June 11, 2008 at 10:00 pm

    This is one of my all time favorite pasta dishes! And the addition of asparagus sound yummy.

    Reply
  38. Tarah says

    June 13, 2008 at 5:14 pm

    I love Carbonara’s. This one is one I need to try! :]

    Reply
  39. Ruth Daniels says

    June 14, 2008 at 12:59 am

    Great choice and thanks again for hosting Presto Pasta Nights.

    Reply
  40. Gretchen Noelle says

    June 14, 2008 at 9:13 pm

    Well I just had my first carbonara thanks to this recipe. Delicious!

    Reply
  41. maybelles parents says

    June 17, 2008 at 12:14 am

    thanks for visiting me. and, you asparagus carbonara looks great.

    Reply
  42. [email protected] the Ordinary Life says

    April 29, 2009 at 9:58 pm

    I 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…

    Reply
  43. YiFamily says

    June 12, 2012 at 10:14 pm

    Made this today for lunch. So yummy. My daughter & her friend gobbled it.

    Reply
  44. Steph says

    July 10, 2012 at 5:44 pm

    Kevin, 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!

    Reply
  45. Kevin says

    July 10, 2012 at 11:38 pm

    Steph: 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.

    Reply
  46. cristina says

    July 23, 2012 at 3:32 pm

    i 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!!

    Reply
  47. Anonymous says

    March 18, 2013 at 1:51 am

    asparagus makes my pee smell funny

    Reply
  48. Anonymous says

    June 5, 2013 at 4:00 am

    Just made this or dinner. YUM!!!!

    Reply

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