Description
Creamy, cheesy tortellini carbonara blends Italian pasta perfection with classic Roman flavors. Parmesan, crispy pancetta, and silky egg sauce invite you to savor a comforting meal that whisks away hunger with delightful simplicity.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 3 large eggs
- 3/4 cup (75 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
Aromatic Ingredients:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
Cooking Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare tortellini in boiling water according to package directions until al dente, then drain while preserving 1/2 cup of starchy cooking liquid.
- Render bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until golden and crisp, approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Introduce minced garlic to the rendered bacon, sautéing for 30-45 seconds until fragrant without browning.
- Remove skillet from heat and temporarily set aside the bacon-garlic mixture.
- Whisk eggs thoroughly with finely grated Parmesan cheese and freshly cracked black pepper in a separate mixing bowl until smooth and well-integrated.
- Return skillet to low heat and immediately add cooked tortellini, gently coating with bacon and garlic.
- Pour egg mixture over tortellini, quickly stirring and incorporating reserved pasta water to create a silky, emulsified sauce.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and additional black pepper, ensuring even distribution.
- Transfer to serving plates, garnish with chopped fresh parsley, and serve hot to maintain sauce’s creamy consistency.
Notes
- Reserve the starchy pasta water to help create a silky, smooth sauce that perfectly coats the tortellini.
- Add the egg mixture slowly to prevent scrambling, stirring continuously to create a creamy, luxurious carbonara sauce.
- Cook bacon until golden and crisp for maximum flavor and texture contrast in the dish.
- Replace bacon with crispy mushrooms or smoked vegetarian bacon alternative for a meat-free version that still delivers rich, smoky flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 560 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 190 mg