Shrimp Carbonara – This easy creamy shrimp carbonara made in less than 25 minutes with juicy shrimp in a creamy sauce and crispy bacon.
What is Shrimp Carbonara?
A variation of the classic pasta carbonara, which comes from the Lazio region of Italy, is shrimp carbonara. It is composed of long, thin pasta, usually fettuccine or spaghetti, covered in a rich sauce of eggs, grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano, and cured pork, such as pancetta or guanciale.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:-
Quick and Easy: Whip up this dish in under 30 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight dinner.
Flavor Explosion: The rich, creamy sauce and perfectly cooked shrimp create an irresistible taste sensation.
Adaptable: This recipe is a fantastic base for customization. Don’t like shrimp? Swap them for chicken, peas, or even a vegetarian option.
Impressive: The elegant simplicity of shrimp carbonara makes it a great dish to serve guests.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Shrimp Carbonara:
- Use room temperature ingredients: This ensures a smooth and creamy sauce. Take your eggs and cheese out of the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking.
- Don’t overcook the shrimp: Shrimp cooks quickly. Aim for a nice sear on the outside with a slightly opaque center for the best texture.
- Reserve some pasta water: The starchy pasta water acts as a magic potion for creating a silky sauce. Add a splash or two at a time to adjust the consistency if your sauce seems too thick.
- Go slow when adding the cheese: Whisk in the cheese gradually to prevent it from clumping or scrambling.
- Freshly cracked black pepper is your friend: A generous amount of freshly cracked black pepper adds depth and a touch of heat to the dish.
Recipe Variations
Spicy Shrimp Carbonara:
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the pan with the garlic for a touch of heat.
Peas and Shrimp Carbonara: Throw in a handful of frozen peas for a vibrant pop of color and freshness.
Smoked Salmon Carbonara:
Replace the shrimp with smoked salmon for a luxurious twist.
How to Serve this Spicy Shrimp Carbonara?
- Garnish with chopped parsley, chives, or a sprinkle of fresh thyme for an extra flavor dimension.
- Pair with a crisp white wine. A light Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio complements the richness of the dish beautifully.
- Bread for dipping is a must! French bread or a crusty Italian loaf are perfect for soaking up all that delicious sauce.
- Serve on warmed plates and finish with a drizzle of good quality olive oil and a generous grind of fresh black pepper.
Recipe FAQs
What kind of shrimp should I use?
Large, fresh, and deveined shrimp are ideal. Look for varieties like jumbo shrimp, U-10s, or U-12s.
What type of cheese should I use?
For an authentic flavor, Pecorino Romano is the cheese of choice. However, Parmesan cheese is a delicious substitute if Pecorino Romano is unavailable.
Can I use a different type of pasta?
While spaghetti and fettuccine are traditional choices, feel free to experiment with other long, thin pastas like linguine, bucatini, or even tagliatelle.
What if I don’t eat pork?
No problem! You can omit the cured pork altogether and rely on the shrimp and cheese for richness. Alternatively, some variations use smoked salmon or even crumbled cooked sausage for a different flavor profile.
Shrimp Carbonara
Shrimp Carbonara - This easy creamy shrimp carbonara made in less than 25 minutes with juicy shrimp in a creamy sauce and crispy bacon.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces spaghetti (or bucatini)
- 1 pound shrimp, medium sized, peeled and deveined
- 2 ounces Pecorino Romano, grated, plus more for serving
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 large eggs
- 4 ounces diced bacon (pancetta or guanciale)
- salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, add in eggs and Pecorino Romano. Whisk well and set aside.
- Heat a heavy pot over medium heat. Add oil, once hot. Add bacon and cook for about 5 to 6 minutes or until crispy. Add shrimp and stir cook until just cooked through for about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Heat a large pot of water to boil. Add salt and cook the spaghetti according to package directions or until tender firm. Reserve 1 cup pasta water and drain.
- Immediately transfer to the bacon and shrimp into the pot. Lower the heat and stir cook for about 1-2 minutes or until heated through.
- Add quater cup of reserved pasta water into the egg mixture cheese mixture to temper eggs. Pour tempered egg mixture over pasta mixture in a steady stream, stirring constantly. Stir until well combined, add more pasta water if needed.
- Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with more Pecorino Romano and serve immediately.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 534Total Fat 23gSaturated Fat 8gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 14gCholesterol 422mgSodium 1886mgCarbohydrates 29gFiber 1gSugar 1gProtein 49g
Easy Shrimp Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
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