Loaded with spring vegetables tossed in a creamy, cheesy sauce, this Spaghetti Carbonara with Spring Vegetables makes for a delicious comfort food meal!
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Cook Time15 minutesmins
Total Time25 minutesmins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: carbonara, pancetta, pasta, vegetable
Servings: 6servings
Calories: 538kcal
Author: David
Ingredients
3large eggs
3large egg yolks
¾cupParmigiano Reggiano cheesegrated, plus more for serving
¼cupPecorino Romano cheesegrated
1tspcoarsely ground black pepperplus more for serving
8oz.pancetta or guancialediced into ¼” cubes (can substitute bacon in a pinch)
12ouncesthick spaghetti
8oz.sugar snap peassliced lengthwise
8oz.asparagustrimmed and sliced into 2” pieces
1cupfrozen peas
¼cupchopped chives
Coarsely ground black pepper
Instructions
Using a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg yolks, Parmesan, Pecorino and pepper; set aside. (Tip: Do this first to allow egg mixture to come to room temperature before using it later in the recipe.)
Using a large skillet, add the pancetta and place over medium heat; cook for 7-8 minutes or until browned. (Once pancetta is cooked, remove from heat and set aside.)
Meanwhile, fill a large stock pot with 6 quarts of water and salt liberally; bring to a boil over high heat.
Add spaghetti and cook for 7 minutes.
Remove 1 cup of the pasta water and set aside.
Add snow peas, asparagus and frozen peas to the pot with the pasta; continue cooking for 3 more minutes.
Remove pot from heat and drain remaining pasta water into a large serving bowl. (Note: This is done to warm the serving bowl, and the water will be poured out before using the bowl. Since the egg mixture is added once the dish is removed from the heat, a warm serving bowl helps cook the eggs.)
Transfer cooked spaghetti, snow peas, asparagus and peas into the skillet with the cooked pancetta. Add ¼ cup of reserved pasta water; stir until well combined and cook over medium heat for 1-2 minutes, or until the pasta has absorbed most of the water.
Drain the water from the large serving bowl. Transfer pasta, pancetta and vegetables from the skillet into the hot bowl. Add the egg mixture; stir until well combined. Continue stirring until a creamy sauce forms. (The heat from the pasta and bowl will cook the eggs. If the mixture becomes too thick, add an additional splash of reserved pasta water.)
Stir in chives and divide into serving bowls. Before serving, top liberally with freshly ground black pepper and additional Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
Notes
Feel free to add as much or as little salt to the pasta water as you would like. However, a chef who I respect greatly once told me that pasta water should taste like the sea.Make sure to use real Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and Pecorino Romano cheese - not the stuff in the shaker can! Oftentimes, the cheese/deli counter at a local grocery store will sell containers of grated Parmesan and Pecorino cheeses.