Some of the best pasta recipes come from all over the world, like spaghetti bolognese, baked macaroni, and linguine pasta. One of the most talked about kinds is the Pinoy Carbonara, which is loved by people of all ages. Simply put, this is pasta with a light, smooth sauce that tastes great. And for this recipe, I’ve made it much easier to make carbonara by using a few familiar ingredients and easy steps.
But, as you may already know, this is made with a lot of cream in the Philippines, which gives it that creamy, wonderful taste. But some people might not know that the original Italian dish doesn’t use cream at all. And it’s definitely easier in terms of what you need to make it. Compare these two ways of making Carbonara to see what I mean.
Authentic vs Filipino Style Carbonara
Authentic Carbonara
In the original recipe, eggs and cheese are the only things that make this creamy. The real Carbonara doesn’t have that many fixings. We just add Panceta to our dish to make it a little more rich and filling. As far as spices go, we only have cheese, eggs, a little bit of salt, and ground black pepper. But even though it is simple, it is not at all lacking in depth. This real version gets a lot of love because it has great flavor even though it only has a few parts.
Carbonara Recipe Filipino Style
On to the type you might know better: Carbonara Recipe Filipino Style! This is made with a lot of all-purpose cream and a few more spices, like beef cube and nutmeg. Obviously, this recipe wouldn’t be complete without the fried bacon, which goes well with the smooth pasta. If you haven’t tried this version yet, you should do so as soon as possible!
Festive Tuna Carbonara
My recipe for Festive Tuna Carbonara is both beautiful and tasty. It has a nice variety of toppings, including bell pepper, bacon, and, of course, tuna. This great mix makes it perfect for the holidays or any other party you have coming up soon. And when I say “soon,” I really mean that you can make this quickly. This only takes about 15 minutes to make because most of the time you’ll just be mixing the ingredients together. The salty, rich taste of tuna is also very special. It gives our pasta a beautiful structure and taste that you won’t want to miss.
How to Cook Carbonara
Cooking The Pasta
You will need 300 grams of spaghetti for this. Now cook this up as indicated on the package’s instructions. Afterwards, drain the water you used, and set the spaghetti aside.
Getting The Bacon Crispy
Grab a pan, and let this get hot. Put 8 strips you’ve cut into ½ cm slices in the pan. Then just cook these until they get nice and crunchy. Transfer this to a clean plate, and set this aside too.
Sautéing Garlic, And Preparing Other Ingredients
We’ll melt 1 tablespoon of butter in the same pan. Once the butter is melted, you can add two finely chopped garlic cloves. This was cooked for 10 seconds, after which 12 cup of sliced button mushrooms and 4 tablespoons of all-purpose flour were added. Then just stir everything together and cook it for 30 seconds.
Getting The Sauce Thick
Put 1 68g pack of Knorr Cream of Mushroom Soup and 3 cups of water together. Stir these well, and then pour the mixture into your pan. Keep cooking everything as you are stirring just until the sauce gets as thick as you would like.
Seasoning The Dish
Grate a quarter cup of Parmesan cheese and add it. Also, add as much black pepper powder as you like. After that, you can turn off your heat. Start mixing the pasta in the sauce and make sure that it is spread out evenly. After that, you can just put your dish on the plate you want to serve it on. We’ll just put our already-cooked bacon on top, along with some more parmesan cheese. Then you are finished!
Ingredients
- 300 grams spaghetti
- 68g Knorr Cream of Mushroom Soup
- 8 strips bacon cut into ½ cm slices
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
- ½ cup button mushrooms sliced
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cups water
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
- Ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
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Cook the spaghetti based on package instructions. Drain the water and set it aside.
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Heat pan. Add the bacon. Cook until crispy. Remove from the pan. Set aside.
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Melt butter on the same pan where the bacon was cooked. Saute garlic for 10 seconds. Add mushrooms and all-purpose flour. Cook for 30 seconds while stirring.
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Combine Knorr Cream of Mushroom Soup and water. Stir. Pour the mixture into the pan. Continue cooking while stirring until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
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Season with parmesan cheese and ground black pepper.
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Turn the heat off and toss the pasta.
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Transfer to a serving plate and top with bacon slices and more parmesan cheese.
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Serve. Share and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
FAQ
What is Pinoy Carbonara?
Pinoy Carbonara is a Filipino adaptation of the classic Italian pasta dish Carbonara. It typically features a creamy sauce made with eggs, cheese, and milk or cream, combined with ham and bacon, and served over spaghetti or fettuccine noodles.
Can I use other types of pasta?
Yes, you can use different types of pasta in Pinoy Carbonara according to your preference. Spaghetti and fettuccine noodles are the most common choices, but you can use penne, rigatoni, or any pasta shape you like.
Can I omit the ham or bacon?
Yes, if you prefer a vegetarian version or don’t eat pork, you can omit the ham and bacon from the recipe. You can add other vegetarian-friendly ingredients like mushrooms, peas, or roasted vegetables for added flavor and texture.
Can I use different types of cheese?
Yes, you can experiment with different types of cheese to suit your taste. Traditionally, Pinoy Carbonara uses Parmesan cheese, but you can also use other types of hard cheeses like Pecorino Romano or even cheddar cheese for a milder flavor.
Can I make Pinoy Carbonara ahead of time?
While freshly made Carbonara is typically preferred, you can make some preparations ahead of time. You can cook the pasta and prepare the sauce in advance, but it’s best to cook and add the bacon or ham just before serving to maintain their texture and flavor.