Smoked Salmon Carbonara: A Luxurious Twist on a Classic Pasta Recipe
Smoked Salmon Carbonara is a rich and elegant twist on the traditional Italian carbonara, substituting pancetta with delicately smoky, tender salmon. This creamy and indulgent pasta dish is pescatarian-friendly and comes together quickly in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or sophisticated dinner parties with minimal effort.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Pescatarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta and Sauce
- 12 oz pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or linguine)
- 4 oz smoked salmon, thinly sliced or flaked
- 2 large eggs + 1 egg yolk
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano
- 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil or unsalted butter
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
For Garnish
- Fresh parsley or chives, chopped
Instructions
- Boil the Pasta: Cook the pasta in generously salted boiling water until al dente, around 8 to 10 minutes depending on pasta type. Reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining the pasta to use later in the sauce.
- Prepare the Egg Mixture: In a bowl, whisk together 2 whole eggs, 1 additional egg yolk, grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese, and freshly cracked black pepper. Set this creamy mixture aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Salmon: Heat olive oil or unsalted butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic if using and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the smoked salmon gently and warm it through without cooking it further to keep its tender texture.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta directly into the skillet with the salmon and remove the pan from heat. Immediately pour the egg and cheese mixture over the pasta, stirring quickly and continuously to create a silky, smooth carbonara sauce without scrambling the eggs. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time as needed to adjust the sauce’s consistency.
- Garnish and Serve: Finish by sprinkling chopped fresh parsley or chives and lemon zest over the top to add brightness. Add extra grated cheese if desired. Serve the dish warm for a luxurious pasta experience.
Notes
- Temper your eggs by adding a splash of hot pasta water before mixing them in to avoid scrambling.
- Always remove the pan from heat before stirring in the egg mixture to maintain a creamy sauce.
- Use freshly grated cheese for a smoother melt; pre-grated cheese often doesn’t melt as well.
- For extra nutrition and flavor, add greens such as spinach or peas.
- Be cautious with salt as smoked salmon is naturally salty; adjust seasoning carefully.
Keywords: Smoked Salmon Carbonara, Italian pasta recipe, creamy pasta, pescatarian pasta, quick dinner, easy carbonara, smoky salmon pasta
