What do you get when you elevate a classic Italian dish? Shrimp Carbonara, of course!
Let’s see how many words we can use to describe a fabulous bowl of pasta. Hearty, delicious, filling, delectable, creamy, cheesy, impressive, warming, satisfying – ok, you get the idea. We could keep this up for hours. Of course, each one of those words easily describes shrimp carbonara – an imaginative take on a classic Italian dish.
Imagine that you are sitting in a trattoria in the heart of Rome. The server brings out a plate of steaming carbonara with juicy, succulent shrimp sitting atop the mound of delicately dressed pasta. You take a deep breath, pick up your fork, and dig in, twirling those egg-drenched strands around and around until you have the perfect bite. Ok, you get the picture.
Don’t Wait – Make It At Home!
Don’t wait for a special occasion or a trip to Italy to enjoy the decadence of shrimp carbonara. In only 30 minutes, you can have this dish on the table ready to please the finickiest eaters in your house. It is so easy to make that you will gladly respond ‘yes!’ to your family’s requests to enjoy it frequently. If someone in your family is gluten-free, you can make this dish with your favorite GF spaghetti.
The addition of shrimp to the classic carbonara elevates it to a new level. If you prefer scallops, you can swap them for the shrimp in this dish. Either way, mealtime will never be the same again. Discovering the secret of making some of Italy’s most famous dishes in your home is as simple as checking our recipes.
Why This Dish Works So Well for Busy Moms
The life of a mom is hectic. You need meals you can get on the table as quickly and efficiently as possible. This dish is a winner because all you need is one pot and one skillet. It takes only 30 minutes from when you start until you present your family with steaming bowls of shrimp carbonara. The amazing layers of flavor that come from only 9 ingredients (including salt and pepper) will astound you. Clean-up is a breeze, leaving you more time to spend with your family. Isn’t that what life’s about?
How to Make Ahead and Store
Carbonara is best eaten as soon as it is ready. It does not freeze well, so please do not try. You will be disappointed when you take it from the freezer. While you can refrigerate it for up to 2 days, store it in an airtight container and reheat it in a skillet or saucepan on the stove. Add a bit of water and keep stirring to refresh the sauce. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp, which could become tough and rubbery.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your pasta with a Traditional Caprese Salad. It goes so well with carbonara without being too heavy or rich. A simple side vegetable, such as Blanched Asparagus, is ideal as you don’t want anything fancy to distract from the pasta. A light dessert, such as these Honey Cookies, is perfect after the rich bowl of pasta. They make the ideal ending to an utterly delicious meal.
Shrimp Carbonara
Ingredients
- 8 ounces spaghetti
- 6 slices bacon chopped
- 1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- In a large skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon and set aside, leaving the bacon fat in the skillet.
- Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook until pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove shrimp and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- In a bowl, whisk together eggs and grated Parmesan cheese until well combined.
- Reduce heat to low and add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet. Toss to coat in the bacon fat and garlic.
- Quickly pour the egg and cheese mixture into the pasta, stirring vigorously to coat the pasta without scrambling the eggs. Gradually add reserved pasta water until the sauce reaches a creamy consistency.
- Add the cooked bacon and shrimp back into the skillet. Toss everything together and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.
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