Orrechiette Carbonara

Health score
12%
Orrechiette Carbonara
45 min.
4
471kcal

Suggestions


If you're looking to tantalize your taste buds with a creamy and savory pasta dish, look no further than Orecchiette Carbonara. This delightful recipe takes the classic Italian carbonara and breathes new life into it by incorporating the sweet, mild flavor of leeks and the irresistible crunch of applewood-smoked bacon. Within just 45 minutes, you can transform simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal that embodies comfort and elegance.

Perfect for lunch or dinner, this main course serves four and is sure to impress family and friends alike. With a caloric value of 471 kcal per serving, it’s a satisfying option that doesn’t skimp on flavor. The orecchiette, meaning "little ears" in Italian, captures the creamy sauce beautifully, while the freshly grated Parmesan cheese adds a rich, nutty essence that binds it all together.

Plus, the lusciousness of the egg mixture envelops the pasta, creating that classic creamy texture we all love, without the heaviness associated with cream-based sauces. Finished with a sprinkle of fresh Italian parsley for a pop of color and flavor, this dish not only pleases the palate but also makes for a stunning presentation on any dinner table. Get ready to indulge in this flavorful twist on a beloved classic—your culinary adventure starts here!

Ingredients

  • slices applewood-smoked bacon diced
  • large eggs room temperature
  • medium leeks white green halved lengthwise ( and pale parts only)
  • 10 ounces shells ear-shaped (little pasta)
  • 0.5 cup parmesan cheese plus additional freshly grated for serving
  • tablespoon parsley fresh italian chopped

Equipment

  • bowl
  • frying pan
  • paper towels
  • whisk
  • pot
  • slotted spoon

Directions

  1. Cook bacon in large skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 8 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towel to drain.
  2. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons fat from skillet if necessary.
  3. Add leeks and sauté over medium heat until tender, about 6 minutes. Set aside.
  4. Meanwhile, cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally.
  5. Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid.
  6. Whisk eggs and 1/2 cup Parmesan in medium bowl to blend; gradually whisk in 1/4 cup pasta cooking liquid.
  7. Add pasta to leeks in skillet and stir to heat.
  8. Remove skillet from heat.
  9. Pour egg mixture over pasta and stir until sauce is just creamy and eggs are no longer raw, about 2 minutes. (Return skillet to very low heat if egg mixture is runny; do not overcook or eggs will curdle.)
  10. Add some of remaining 1/4 cup pasta cooking liquid to pasta if needed to moisten. Stir in bacon and parsley.
  11. Serve pasta, passing additional cheese separately.

Nutrition Facts

Calories471kcal
Protein16.8%
Fat30.56%
Carbs52.64%

Properties

Glycemic Index
26.5
Glycemic Load
23.05
Inflammation Score
-7
Nutrition Score
18.265652262646%

Flavonoids

Apigenin
2.15mg
Luteolin
0.01mg
Kaempferol
1.2mg
Myricetin
0.25mg
Quercetin
0.04mg

Nutrients percent of daily need

Calories:470.56kcal
23.53%
Fat:15.82g
24.34%
Saturated Fat:5.86g
36.63%
Carbohydrates:61.32g
20.44%
Net Carbohydrates:58.21g
21.17%
Sugar:3.74g
4.15%
Cholesterol:118.39mg
39.47%
Sodium:413.6mg
17.98%
Alcohol:0g
100%
Alcohol %:0%
100%
Protein:19.57g
39.13%
Selenium:61.71µg
88.16%
Manganese:0.89mg
44.28%
Vitamin K:37.67µg
35.88%
Phosphorus:310.54mg
31.05%
Vitamin A:1077.32IU
21.55%
Calcium:168.12mg
16.81%
Vitamin B6:0.32mg
15.82%
Magnesium:60.54mg
15.13%
Copper:0.29mg
14.6%
Zinc:2.19mg
14.58%
Iron:2.5mg
13.9%
Folate:55.26µg
13.81%
Vitamin B2:0.23mg
13.65%
Fiber:3.1g
12.41%
Vitamin B3:2.31mg
11.55%
Vitamin B1:0.17mg
11.03%
Potassium:344.75mg
9.85%
Vitamin B5:0.92mg
9.18%
Vitamin B12:0.5µg
8.35%
Vitamin C:6.67mg
8.08%
Vitamin E:0.92mg
6.1%
Vitamin D:0.65µg
4.34%
Source:Epicurious