Pumpkin Carbonara Recipe
Discover the creamy and cozy Pumpkin Carbonara Recipe, combining classic Italian carbonara with sweet pumpkin for a rich, velvety sauce perfect for fall. This comforting, quick-to-prepare dish uses simple ingredients and offers customizable variations for different diets, making it an ideal warm meal all autumn long.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free (with gluten-free pasta)
Main Ingredients
- Fresh Pumpkin Puree (homemade or canned) – 1 cup
- Pasta (spaghetti or fettuccine) – 12 oz
- Pancetta or Bacon, chopped – 4 oz
- Egg Yolks – 3 large
- Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated – 1 cup
- Garlic, minced – 2 cloves
- Black Pepper, freshly cracked – to taste
- Olive Oil – 1 tablespoon
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Finely chop the pancetta or bacon and mince the garlic. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil to cook the pasta al dente according to package directions.
- Cook the Pancetta: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook until crisp and golden, rendering out the fat. Stir in garlic during the last minute of cooking, then remove from heat.
- Prepare the Pumpkin Carbonara Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, pumpkin puree, grated Parmesan, and a generous amount of freshly cracked black pepper. This mixture will create a smooth, creamy sauce when combined with the warm pasta.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Drain the pasta, reserving some pasta water. Quickly toss the hot pasta into the skillet with pancetta and garlic over low heat. Remove from heat and immediately stir in the pumpkin-egg mixture, adding reserved pasta water as needed to keep the sauce silky and evenly coating the noodles without scrambling the eggs.
- Final Touches and Serve: Toss the carbonara one final time to blend all flavors perfectly. Taste and adjust with extra cheese or pepper if desired, then serve immediately for the best creamy experience.
Notes
- Use warm pasta to help the eggs gently cook and form a velvety texture.
- Reserve pasta water to loosen the sauce without thinning out flavor.
- Do not overcook eggs; stir off heat to avoid scrambled eggs and ensure a smooth sauce.
- Choose quality cheese; freshly grated Parmesan enhances depth and creaminess.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the full creaminess and texture of the carbonara.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 215 mg
Keywords: Pumpkin Carbonara, autumn pasta, creamy pumpkin pasta, fall recipes, quick carbonara, easy dinner, seasonal pasta dish