Asparagus Carbonara

in Asparagus, Carbonara, Pasta

Asparagus Carbonara

That bowl of creamy, carby heaven is the fat-pants counterpart to the zucchini noodle recipe that I posted last week.

It’s our favorite carbonara recipe, slimmed down, and then bulked up with a bunch of asparagus.

Asparagus Carbonara

When the first wave of spring asparagus hit the market at .98/lb, I hoarded stocked up. I roasted two pans on the weekend for side dishes throughout the week and breakfast. Because wo eggs over a pile of asparagus is one of my favorite breakfast ever.

And while you’re drooling over asparagus carbonara, be sure to check out this version if you’re a goat cheese fan.

Asparagus Carbonara

Asparagus Carbonara

Asparagus replaces half of the pasta in this lighter, spring carbonara recipe.

Ingredients

  • 8 oz pasta (I used thin spaghetti)
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 4 slices of bacon, cut into cubes
  • 3/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper
  • 1 large bunch asparagus (~1.25lb)
  • 1 egg
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 2/3 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 3/4 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. Trim woody ends from asparagus stalks and cut the remaining stalks into ~3-inch pieces.
  3. Heat olive oil over medium heat. Cook bacon pieces to a crisp and remove bacon with a slotted spoon to a large bowl.
  4. Add black pepper and cook for two minutes.
  5. Add asparagus and cook ~5 minutes, until fork tender, stirring occasionally.
  6. Whisk egg, yolk, 2/3 cup Parmesan, and 1/4 cup very hot pasta water in the bowl with the bacon.
  7. Add drained pasta, scrape the contents from the asparagus pan into the bowl (oil, pepper, and asparagus), and toss, adding splashes of reserved pasta water to create a creamy sauce.
  8. Serve topped with extra Parmesan.

Notes

Yields: 4 servings

Adapted from Zucchini Carbonara

Estimated time: 30 minutes

2 comments… add one
  • I found what to cook tonight, thanks 🙂 Seems yummy…

  • Confession – I’ve never had carbonara but I’m definitely trying this recipe. Looks great!!! A friend of ours grows asparagus so as soon as he cuts it I’m making this.

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