Description
A delightful twist on classic carbonara, this Smoked Salmon Carbonara features tender pasta tossed with smoky salmon, a creamy Parmesan egg sauce, fresh garlic, and a hint of lemon zest. Perfect for a quick, elegant weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces spaghetti or fettuccine
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 ounces smoked salmon, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- salt to taste
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- lemon zest (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta thoroughly.
- Sauté Garlic and Salmon: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the smoked salmon and cook for 1 to 2 minutes just until heated through, then remove the skillet from heat to prevent overcooking.
- Prepare Egg Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, grated Parmesan cheese, heavy cream, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Quickly add the hot drained pasta to the skillet containing the salmon and garlic. Immediately pour in the egg and cheese mixture, tossing continuously and vigorously to coat the pasta and create a creamy sauce. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and achieve desired consistency.
- Serve and Garnish: Plate the pasta promptly to maintain creaminess. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and optional lemon zest for a bright finishing touch.
Notes
- For a lighter version, omit the heavy cream and rely on the eggs and cheese to create the sauce.
- Be sure to toss the pasta off the heat when adding the egg mixture to prevent the eggs from scrambling.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and texture.
- Reserve pasta water is key to adjusting sauce consistency without diluting flavor.
- Serve promptly as the sauce is best enjoyed fresh and creamy.
