Creamy Lemon Carbonara
This creamy carbonara recipe is light and flavoursome with a touch of zesty lemon. I choose this version over the traditional recipe every time, but then again, I do love lemon! The lemon rind not only breaks through the richness of the cream and bacon, but also adds a refreshing twist to the sauce.
For another creamy household favourite, try my Chorizo and Red Pepper Pasta.
I love the simplicity of the Lemon Carbonara. With minimal prep, you can have a delicious and satisfying meal on the table in no time. It’s also a one pot meal, leaving you with only a handful of dishes to clean when you’ve finished eating!
Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight dinner or hosting a casual dinner party with friends, this Creamy Lemon Carbonara is sure to be a hit. And the best part? You likely already have most of the ingredients on hand, making it a budget-friendly option for any occasion.
As the recipe only calls for a little of the rind, you will have some leftover lemon ready for another tasty recipe. Why not try my delicious No Bake Lemon Cheesecake or Fluffy Blueberry Lemon Muffins. You can even add some of the rind to my Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake.
Lemon Carbonara Ingredients
Bacon: One of the things I love most about this dish is its versatility. While traditional carbonara recipes typically call for pancetta or guanciale, I use bacon in this version. However, you can easily customise to suit your taste preferences and be more cost effective. Not a fan of bacon or don’t have any in the house? No problem – simply omit it or substitute with chicken or mushrooms.
Parmesan: I use parmesan in this lemon carbonara, however Pecorino Romano is the cheese used for the traditional dish. You can substitute the parmesan for other cheese you have on hand. Flavour-wise your best options are Pecorino, Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano.
Pasta: Spaghetti or fettuccini just work for me. While spaghetti is the traditional pasta for carbonara, use any pasta you have in the pantry. They all taste good. Or how about Homemade Pasta if you have a little time on your hands. This will take your pasta dish to a whole new level!
Lemon: The addition of lemon to this carbonara adds a refreshing twist. And it pairs beautifully with the richness of the eggs and parmesan cheese.
The combination of creamy sauce, citrusy lemon, and salty bacon creates a perfect balance of flavours. If you’re looking to change it up a little, my Creamy Lemon Carbonara is a must-try. With its vibrant flavours and easy preparation, it’s a dish that’s sure to become a favourite in your household.
Feedback: Let me know what you thought of my Creamy Lemon Carbonara in the comments section below. Cheers, Elby!
Want a taste of something more? Check out my other delicious Pasta recipes. Also follow The Tasteful Pantry on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest for all the latest tips and info.
Creamy Lemon Carbonara
Almost your traditional carbonara, this creamy sauce has a delightful lemon twist.
4
servings10
minutes20
minutes30
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Ingredients
300 grams spaghetti, fettuccini (or other pasta)
10 grams unsalted butter
200 grams bacon, diced (or pancetta)
2 cloves garlic, diced
3 large eggs
¼ cup thickened cream
½ cup parmesan, grated
salt & pepper
1 tsp lemon rind, grated
3 shallots, finely chopped
extra parmesan, grated
Directions
- Boil the pasta and remove from the pot just before al dente (approximately 1 minute less than instructions on the packet for dried pasta). Drain and set aside.
- Melt the butter in the same pot over medium high heat and cook the bacon and garlic for 2-3 minutes, or until just starting to brown.
- While the bacon is cooking, lightly whisk the eggs, cream, cheese and salt and pepper.
- Reduce the heat to medium and stir the pasta into the bacon mixture. Add the egg mix and stir until pasta is completely coated.
- Stir in the lemon rind and shallots.
Serve topped with extra parmesan. Enjoy!
Why not also try my other tasty Pasta recipes?!