17 Excellent Carbonara Dishes

March 08, 2016
Randy Mayor
The origins of carbonara recipes come from Italy, and the word itself denotes a type of sauce made with pork, egg, and cream. The sauce can be enjoyed on pastas, pizzas, and other types of Italian fare. 
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Linguine Carbonara

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower, Claire Spollen
Linguine Carbonara Recipe
Have your bacon cooked and eggs ready when the pasta is done. For the creamiest sauce, you want a little of the water still clinging to the noodles when you add them to the eggs.
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Collard Green Carbonara

Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham
Collard Green Carbonara Recipe
Pasta carbonara is the ultimate quick dinner. It's rich, satisfying, and works during the week but is worthy of weekend company.

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Pasta Carbonara Florentine

Photo: Oxmoor House
Pasta Carbonara Florentine Recipe
Whisked eggs and Parmesan cheese are stirred into a skillet of just-cooked pasta to coat the noodles with a rich, creamy sauce. The spinach isn't traditional but adds color and a subtle earthy flavor twist.
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Delfina's Carbonara Pizza

Thomas J. Story
Delfina's Carbonara Pizza Recipe
This pizza features an incredible homemade crust made with Italian flour for a truly authentic dinner experience.

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Country Ham Carbonara

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Vanessa McNeil Rocchio
Country Ham Carbonara Recipe
Hearty, not heavy, is key in this savory Italian meal of Country Ham Carbonara. Serve this one-dish pasta immediately for the best flavor.

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Tomato and Asparagus "Carbonara"

Photo: Johnny Autry; Styling: Mary Clayton Carl
Tomato and Asparagus "Carbonara" Recipe
Toss the pasta and vegetables immediately after cooking. The heat from the pasta will cook the egg, thickening it into a light, creamy sauce.
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Carbonara Pizza

Photo: Romulo Yanes
Carbonara Pizza Recipe
This interesting take on carbonara uses it to top a pizza. Layered with prosciutto and peas, this pizza is a fun addition to the weeknight spread.

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Bucatini Carbonara

Photo: © Anna Williams
Bucatini Carbonara Recipe
Italian carbonara is famously rich, combining pancetta or guanciale, egg yolks and cheese. At Holeman and Finch, Linton Hopkins adds his own Southern accent to the dish with house-cured pork and local eggs.

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Pasta Carbonara Frittata

Pasta Carbonara Frittata Recipe
This interesting take on a carbonara recipes treats it more as a skillet dish or casserole. The dish browns beautifully under the broiler for a hearty and satisfying weeknight dinner.
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Spaghetti Carbonara

Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Margaret Dickey; Prop Styling: Kay Clarke
Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe
Silky with egg and melted cheese, freshened with parsley, and spiked with black pepper, spaghetti carbonara brings intense flavors into balance.

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Pasta Carbonara

Photo: Sang An
Pasta Carbonara Recipe
This six-ingredient pasta recipe is the perfect speedy option for a busy week. This dish features bacon as well, which is always an enticing addition.

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Asparagus and Chicken Carbonara

Randy Mayor; Melanie J. Clarke
Asparagus and Chicken Carbonara Recipe
This healthy chicken carbonara dish is not only absolutely delicious, it's also lower in fat and calories than traditional pasta carbonara.
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Spaghetti Carbonara with Pancetta

Becky Luigart-Stayner; Jan Gautro
Spaghetti Carbonara with Pancetta Recipe
A small amount of the pasta's cooking water is whisked into the egg mixture to prevent the eggs from overcooking when added to the hot pasta. This procedure, called tempering, results in a rich, creamy sauce that easily coats the noodles.

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Spring Vegetable Carbonara

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Cindy Barr
Spring Vegetable Carbonara Recipe
Cavatappi, spiral-shaped pasta, adds an element of whimsy to this budget-friendly dish. If you can't find it, substitute fusilli.

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Linguine Carbonara

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Cindy Barr
Linguine Carbonara Recipe
The luxurious, velvety texture of a good pasta carbonara is ephemeral at best, so you must enjoy it right away. Tempering the egg with hot pasta water keeps the sauce creamy by preventing it from curdling. For a smoky taste, use bacon in place of pancetta.
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Pasta Carbonara Florentine

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Cindy Barr
Pasta Carbonara Florentine Recipe
Whisked eggs and Parmesan cheese are stirred into a skillet of just-cooked pasta to form a rich, creamy sauce that coats the noodles. The spinach isn't traditional but adds color and a subtly earthy flavor twist.

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Farfalle Carbonara

Randy Mayor
Farfalle Carbonara Recipe
This carbonara pasta dish features farfalle pasta, otherwise known as "bow-tie" pasta, along with bacon, and has a deliciously creamy and savory flavor.
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