Carbonara is a traditional Italian pasta dish that is creamy, rich, and indulgent. It is a simple yet delicious recipe that is perfect for a cozy night in or for impressing dinner guests. Carbonara is made with a few basic ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry, and it comes together quickly and easily. In this article, we will go over the traditional recipe for carbonara, including the ingredients, instructions, and nutrition facts.
Ingredients
To make carbonara, you will need: - 1 pound of spaghetti - 4 ounces of pancetta or bacon - 4 garlic cloves, minced - 4 egg yolks - 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese - 1 cup of heavy cream - Salt and pepper to taste
Spaghetti
The first ingredient you will need for carbonara is spaghetti. You can use any type of spaghetti you prefer, but traditional carbonara is made with long, thin spaghetti noodles. You will need one pound of spaghetti for this recipe.
Pancetta or Bacon
The next ingredient you will need is pancetta or bacon. Pancetta is a type of Italian bacon that is cured but not smoked. It has a sweet, delicate flavor that pairs perfectly with the creamy carbonara sauce. If you cannot find pancetta, you can use regular bacon instead.
Garlic
Garlic adds a deliciously savory flavor to carbonara. You will need four cloves of garlic, minced finely.
Egg Yolks
Egg yolks are the base of the carbonara sauce. You will need four egg yolks for this recipe.
Parmesan Cheese
Parmesan cheese adds a nutty, salty flavor to carbonara. You will need one cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
Heavy Cream
Heavy cream makes the carbonara sauce rich and creamy. You will need one cup of heavy cream for this recipe.
Salt and Pepper
Finally, you will need salt and pepper to taste. Make sure to season the carbonara sauce well, as it will bring out the flavors of the other ingredients.
Carbonara is a rich and indulgent dish, so it is important to keep track of the nutrition facts. Here are the nutrition facts for one serving of carbonara (based on eight servings): - Calories: 648 - Fat: 31.7g - Saturated Fat: 16.3g - Cholesterol: 240mg - Sodium: 643mg - Carbohydrates: 58.4g - Fiber: 2.7g - Sugars: 2.7g - Protein: 29.6g
Calories
One serving of carbonara contains 648 calories. This is a high calorie count, so it is important to enjoy carbonara in moderation.
Fat
Carbonara is high in fat, with 31.7g of fat per serving. Much of this fat comes from the pancetta or bacon and the heavy cream.
Cholesterol
Carbonara is also high in cholesterol, with 240mg per serving. This is because of the four egg yolks used in the recipe.
Sodium
One serving of carbonara contains 643mg of sodium. This can be reduced by using low-sodium bacon or pancetta and reducing the amount of salt added to the sauce.
Carbohydrates
Carbonara is a high-carbohydrate dish, with 58.4g of carbohydrates per serving. This is mostly from the spaghetti noodles.
Protein
One serving of carbonara contains 29.6g of protein. This is mostly from the pancetta or bacon and the egg yolks.
Conclusion
Carbonara is a delicious and indulgent Italian pasta dish that is perfect for a cozy night in or for impressing dinner guests. It is made with a few basic ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry, and it comes together quickly and easily. While it is high in calories, fat, and cholesterol, it is a great treat to enjoy in moderation. Try making carbonara at home, and enjoy this classic Italian dish!