Description
Silky tortellini carbonara brings Italian comfort to dinner tables with rich, creamy perfection. Rich parmesan, crisp pancetta, and golden egg yolks create an indulgent experience you’ll savor with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Main Protein:
- 20 ounces (550 grams) cheese tortellini (fresh or refrigerated for best texture)
- 4 ounces (115 grams) pancetta or bacon (diced)
Dairy and Eggs:
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 large whole egg
- ¾ cup (75 grams) grated Parmesan cheese (or Pecorino Romano)
- Extra Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 1 teaspoon salt (for boiling water)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced, optional but flavorful)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper (freshly cracked for best flavor)
- ¼ cup reserved pasta water (adjust as needed for creaminess)
- Freshly chopped parsley
- Extra cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Fill a generously sized pot with water, season with salt, and bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Carefully add tortellini to the bubbling water, gently stirring to prevent sticking, and cook until tender with a slight resistance at the center.
- Before draining, carefully extract a small portion of starchy cooking liquid, then strain the pasta in a colander, allowing it to sit momentarily while preparing the remaining components.
Notes
- Swap traditional tortellini with whole wheat or gluten-free variants for dietary adaptations.
- Use high-quality pancetta or thick-cut bacon for enhanced flavor depth and authentic Italian taste.
- Control egg temperature by tempering with hot pasta water to prevent scrambling and create silky smooth sauce.
- Grate fresh Pecorino Romano or Parmigiano-Reggiano directly before mixing for maximum cheese flavor and creaminess.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 700
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 80g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 220mg