Description
This Smoked Salmon Carbonara recipe offers a delightful twist on the traditional Italian classic by incorporating high-quality smoked salmon for a rich, smoky flavor. The creamy sauce made from eggs, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese creates a luscious coating for perfectly cooked fettuccine pasta, enhanced by fresh chives or parsley and a touch of black pepper. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s an elegant and comforting dish perfect for any dinner occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz fettuccine pasta
Carbonara Sauce
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Additional Ingredients
- 4 oz high-quality smoked salmon, chopped
- 2 tablespoons chives or parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve about ½ cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Prepare the sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and heavy cream until the mixture is smooth. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and freshly cracked black pepper, combining well.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Return the drained pasta to the pot and place it over low heat. Gently fold in the chopped smoked salmon. Slowly pour the egg and cream mixture over the pasta while continuously tossing to create a creamy sauce. Add reserved pasta water gradually as needed to achieve the desired sauce consistency.
- Serve: Remove the pot from heat. Garnish the carbonara with extra Parmesan cheese and the chopped fresh chives or parsley. Serve immediately while warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use fresh, high-quality smoked salmon for the best flavor.
- Be careful not to overcook the eggs when tossing with pasta to avoid scrambling.
- Reserving some pasta water is key to adjusting the sauce consistency to your preference.
- You can substitute fettuccine with other long pasta like linguine or spaghetti.
- Serve immediately as the sauce is best enjoyed fresh and creamy.
