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Quick and Creamy Linguini Carbonara

JJacques Pépin FoundationYouTube20 minutesserves 2
Original video by Jacques Pépin Foundation on YouTube5:27

About this recipe

This Quick and Creamy Linguini Carbonara is a deliciously simple take on a classic dish. With just a handful of ingredients, you can whip up a creamy pasta that's perfect for a weeknight dinner.

The key here is the combination of pancetta, egg, and heavy cream, which creates a rich sauce that clings beautifully to the linguine.

Ingredient notes

  • Use Parmesan or Pecorino cheese for the best flavor.
  • Adjust the amount of salt, black pepper, and cheese to your taste.

Tips from Jacques Pépin Foundation's video

  • Cook the pancetta until it renders fat for maximum flavor.
  • Make sure to remove the pan from heat before adding the egg and cream mixture to prevent scrambling the eggs.

No life story here — the video and the recipe are the whole point. All credit to Jacques Pépin Foundation: watch the original on YouTube.

The recipe

Serves 2 servingsTime 20 minutes

Ingredients

Steps

  1. 1

    Cook the pancetta in a pan over medium heat for about 5-6 minutes until it renders fat.

  2. 2

    In a separate pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook the linguine for 12-14 minutes until slightly al dente.

  3. 3

    Chop the garlic and set aside.

  4. 4

    Once the pancetta is done, add the chopped garlic to the pan and cook briefly without browning it.

  5. 5

    Reserve about half a cup of pasta water, then drain the linguine and add it to the pan with the pancetta and garlic.

  6. 6

    In a bowl, whisk together the egg and heavy cream.

  7. 7

    Remove the pan from heat and quickly stir in the egg and cream mixture, allowing the heat from the pasta to cook the eggs.

  8. 8

    Add reserved pasta water as needed to achieve desired creaminess.

  9. 9

    Season with salt, black pepper, and cheese to taste, and mix well.

  10. 10

    Serve the pasta in a thick plate, garnished with parsley and additional cheese.

Credit where it's due: this recipe was transcribed from Jacques Pépin Foundation's original video on YouTube. Follow them there — it's their dish.

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