Creamy Michael Symon Carbonara Recipe with a Rich Twist

Sizzling michael symon’s carbonara elevates pasta from ordinary to extraordinary.

This Italian masterpiece whisks together simple ingredients into a culinary symphony.

Silky eggs merge with robust pancetta, creating layers of intense flavor.

Professional kitchens and home cooks alike revere this classic dish for its elegant simplicity.

Each forkful transports you straight to the rustic streets of Rome.

Regional traditions pulse through every creamy, salt-kissed bite.

Get ready to transform your dinner into a gourmet experience that will leave everyone craving more.

Serving Michael Symon’s Carbonara Pasta

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a light, refreshing Italian white wine like Pinot Grigio or Vermentino to complement the creamy, rich flavors of the carbonara.
• Create Balanced Side Salad: Toss a simple mixed green salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the dish's richness and provide a fresh, zesty contrast.
• Enhance with Garlic Bread: Serve warm, crusty garlic bread on the side to soak up any remaining creamy sauce and add a delightful crunch to the meal.
• Elevate with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle extra chopped parsley or add a few basil leaves on top for a burst of color and bright, aromatic flavor that lifts the entire dish.

Storage for Carbonara

• Preserve Fresh Flavors: Store leftover carbonara in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Avoid keeping the dish longer, as eggs and dairy can spoil quickly.
• Reheat with Care: Warm gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of pasta water to restore creamy texture. Microwaving can cause eggs to scramble and sauce to separate.
• Freeze Cautiously: While not ideal, you can freeze carbonara for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat slowly to maintain sauce consistency.
• Prep Ahead Smartly: Chop ingredients and measure components in advance. Keep eggs, cheese, and meat separate until final cooking to maintain optimal freshness and texture.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 570 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients List for Michael Symon’s Carbonara

• Smoked Meat: Select high-quality pancetta or guanciale with rich, robust marbling for deep flavor and perfect crispiness.
• Eggs: Choose fresh, room-temperature eggs from free-range chickens for the smoothest, silkiest sauce texture.

• Parmesan Cheese: Opt for authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano with sharp, nutty undertones and granular texture that melts beautifully.

• Dried Pasta, Fresh Parsley: Select traditional long pasta like spaghetti or bucatini with firm, smooth texture; choose bright green parsley with crisp leaves for vibrant color.
• Black Pepper: Use freshly ground whole peppercorns for intense, aromatic heat that elevates the entire dish.
• Salt: Select kosher or sea salt to enhance pasta water and provide balanced seasoning throughout the recipe.
• Olive Oil: Pick extra virgin olive oil with grassy, fruity notes for sautéing meat and adding subtle Mediterranean richness.

Pasta Tools for Michael Symon’s Carbonara

• Large Pot: Perfect for boiling water with plenty of space for pasta.
• Skillet: Heavy-bottomed pan for crisping smoked meat and creating creamy sauce.
• Mixing Bowl: Spacious container for whisking eggs and blending ingredients.
• Whisk: Essential tool for beating eggs until light and frothy.
• Wooden Spoon: Great for stirring and tossing pasta in the sauce.
• Measuring Cups: Helpful for precise ingredient quantities.
• Cheese Grater: Needed for freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
• Sharp Knife: Required for chopping fresh parsley.
• Tongs: Useful for transferring pasta from pot to skillet.
• Serving Plates: For presenting the final delicious carbonara.

Steps to Make Michael Symon’s Carbonara

• Fire Up the Water

Bring a large pot of water to a vigorous boil, tossing in a generous pinch of salt to amp up the flavor profile.

• Transform Pasta

Drop the pasta into the bubbling water, cooking it just shy of perfectly tender, pulling it out about a minute before the package suggests.

• Crisp Up Savory Protein

Sizzle olive oil in a spacious skillet, then add diced smoky meat. Cook until the edges turn golden and delightfully crunchy.

• Whip Creamy Egg Blend

Crack eggs into a bowl and whisk them until they’re light and cloud-like. Fold in freshly cracked pepper, a sprinkle of vibrant parsley, and a handful of sharp Parmesan.

• Meld Flavors

Splash some pasta water into the skillet with crispy meat, creating a flavor-packed liquid that will become the sauce’s foundation.

• Craft Silky Sauce

Lower the heat and gently pour the egg mixture into the skillet. Stir continuously, transforming the ingredients into a luxurious, velvety coating.

• Bring It All Together

Slide the perfectly cooked pasta directly into the skillet, tossing and twirling until every strand is gloriously cloaked in the creamy sauce.

• Serve with Flair

Plate the carbonara immediately, showering it with an extra drift of Parmesan. Dive into this classic Italian comfort creation while it’s piping hot.

Tips to Perfect Carbonara

Creative twists to elevate this classic pasta dish.

Replace traditional pancetta or guanciale with bacon, prosciutto, or even diced chorizo for a unique flavor profile that adds exciting depth to your carbonara.

Experiment with different hard cheeses like pecorino romano, aged asiago, or a blend of cheeses to create a more complex and personalized taste that tantalizes your palate.

Substitute smoked meat with roasted mushrooms, crispy caramelized onions, or sun-dried tomatoes to craft a delightful vegetarian version that doesn’t compromise on rich, satisfying flavors.

Keep your serving plates warm to prevent the creamy sauce from cooling too quickly, ensuring each bite remains luxuriously smooth and perfectly heated from first to last forkful.

Authentic Michael Symon Carbonara Recipe

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4.5 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Classic Italian carbonara from Michael Symon combines creamy eggs, crisp pancetta, and pecorino romano for a Roman-style pasta dish. Rich flavors and silky texture make you crave this simple yet elegant recipe.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 5 quarts / 4.7 liters water
• 1 pound / 454 grams dried pasta
• ½ pound / 227 grams diced smoked meat
• ½ pound / 227 grams diced smoked meat
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup / 240 milliliters parmesan cheese, more if desired
• 1 tbsp / 15 milliliters pepper
• 1 tsp / 5 milliliters olive oil
• 1–2 tbsps / 15-30 milliliters salt (pasta water)
• A few sprigs of parsley

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Instructions

1. Water Preparation: Bring a generously salted large pot of water to a robust boil, preparing the foundation for perfectly cooked pasta.
2. Pasta Cooking: Immerse dried pasta into boiling water, cooking until just shy of al dente with a slight resistance when bitten.
3. Meat Rendering: Sizzle smoked meat in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat, transforming it into crispy, golden morsels with delicate, caramelized edges.
4. Egg Mixture Creation: Whisk eggs vigorously until light and aerated, then integrate freshly ground black pepper, finely chopped parsley, and grated Parmesan cheese into a harmonious blend.
5. Sauce Development: Introduce starchy pasta water to the meat-filled skillet, creating a silky liquid base, then lower the heat to prevent rapid cooking.
6. Sauce Incorporation: Gently pour the egg and cheese mixture into the skillet, stirring constantly to prevent scrambling and ensure a smooth, creamy consistency.
7. Final Tossing: Transfer drained pasta directly into the skillet, thoroughly coating each strand with the luxurious sauce, melding flavors and textures.
8. Serving: Plate the carbonara immediately, garnishing with an additional sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, and serve while piping hot to preserve the dish’s creamy essence.

Notes

• Master Timing: Cook pasta 1 minute less than package instructions to maintain perfect texture and prevent overcooking.
• Prevent Egg Scrambling: Continuously stir egg mixture over low heat to create smooth, silky sauce without curdling.
• Pasta Water Magic: Reserve and use starchy water to help sauce bind and achieve creamy consistency.
• Temperature Control: Reduce heat to low when adding egg mixture to avoid accidentally creating scrambled eggs instead of luxurious sauce.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 570
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 66 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 220 mg