Easy Michael Symon Carbonara Recipe: Quick Dinner Magic

Michael Symon’s carbonara transforms humble ingredients into culinary magic.

Italian cuisine rarely gets more elegant than this classic pasta preparation.

Each bite promises a symphony of rich, silky textures that dance across your palate.

Creamy eggs blend seamlessly with salty, savory elements creating unexpected depth.

Professional chefs and home cooks treasure this deceptively straightforward recipe for its complex flavor profile.

Regional traditions shine through in every carefully crafted spoonful of this beloved dish.

The technique requires precision but rewards you with stunning results: prepare to impress everyone at your table.

Why Michael Symon’s Carbonara Captivates

• Rapid Gourmet Delight: Whip up this restaurant-quality carbonara in just 25 minutes, perfect for busy food lovers craving a quick, impressive meal.
• Texture Explosion: Experience a magical combination of crispy smoked meat, silky egg sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta that creates a luxurious mouthfeel in every bite.
• Flavor-Packed Comfort: Enjoy the rich, savory notes from Parmesan cheese, black pepper, and smoky meat that transform simple ingredients into a deeply satisfying Italian classic that feels like a warm culinary hug.

Ingredients for Michael Symon’s Carbonara

Main Ingredients:

• Dried Pasta: Hearty base for the carbonara, choose a classic shape like spaghetti or bucatini for best texture and sauce adherence.

• Smoked Meat: Rich and crispy protein element, traditional pancetta or thick-cut bacon works wonderfully for authentic flavor.

• Whole Eggs: Creamy sauce base that creates silky texture when combined with cheese, fresh eggs provide best results.

• Black Pepper: Sharp and bold spice that provides classic carbonara heat and depth, freshly ground offers maximum flavor.
• Parmesan Cheese: Salty and sharp cheese that adds richness and complexity to the sauce, aged varieties provide more intense taste.
• Parsley: Fresh herb that adds bright color and mild herbal note to finish the dish, optional but recommended for garnish.

• Olive Oil: Helps prevent sticking and adds subtle background flavor when cooking meat.
• Salt: Essential for seasoning pasta water and enhancing overall dish taste.

How to Master Michael Symon’s Carbonara

Step 1: Prepare Boiling Water

Bring 5 quarts of water to a rolling boil and generously add salt for flavor.

Step 2: Cook Pasta

Add of dried pasta and cook until just before al dente, about 1 minute less than package instructions.

Step 3: Crisp Smoked Meat

Heat of olive oil in a large skillet and add of diced smoked meat. Cook until crispy and golden brown.

Step 4: Prepare Creamy Egg Mixture

• Of freshly ground black pepper
• Chopped fresh parsley
• Of grated Parmesan cheese

Step 5: Create Sauce Base

Use reserved pasta water to deglaze the skillet with crispy meat. Reduce heat to low.

Step 6: Combine Ingredients

Carefully pour the egg and cheese mixture into the skillet, stirring constantly to create a smooth, creamy sauce.

Step 7: Add Pasta

Transfer cooked pasta directly into the skillet and toss thoroughly, ensuring each strand is coated with the rich sauce.

Step 8: Serve and Garnish

Plate the carbonara immediately and sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese on top. Serve hot and enjoy the classic Italian comfort dish.

Helpful Tips for Michael Symon’s Carbonara

• Elevate Meat Selection: Swap traditional pancetta with applewood smoked bacon or spicy chorizo for unexpected depth and richness.
• Preserve Silky Texture: Remove pan from heat before adding eggs to prevent scrambling, creating a luxuriously smooth sauce that coats each pasta strand.
• Master Cheese Technique: Grate pecorino and parmesan freshly at room temperature for maximum melting potential and complex flavor development.
• Control Pasta Water Timing: Reserve starchy cooking liquid just before draining, ensuring perfect sauce consistency and helping ingredients bind seamlessly.
• Balance Salt Strategically: Add minimal salt during cooking since pecorino and pancetta naturally contribute significant saltiness to the dish.

Maintaining Freshness for Michael Symon’s Carbonara

• Refrigeration Seal: Lock carbonara in an airtight glass container, positioning it away from strong-smelling foods to prevent flavor absorption. Consume within 2 days for optimal taste and texture.
• Freezing Strategy: Portion carbonara into individual freezer-safe containers, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Label with date and contents, then store flat for maximum space efficiency.
• Reheating Technique: Gently warm carbonara in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of cream or pasta water to restore creamy consistency. Stir continuously to prevent egg scrambling and maintain silky sauce texture.

Creative Twists for Michael Symon’s Carbonara

• Rustic Pancetta Carbonara: Swap smoked meat with crispy pancetta, adding a traditional Italian flair to the classic recipe. The pancetta provides a richer, more authentic flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Mushroom Carbonara: Replace smoked meat with sautéed wild mushrooms like porcini or shiitake. Roast the mushrooms until golden brown to develop a deep, meaty texture.
• Spicy Chorizo Carbonara: Substitute smoked meat with spicy Spanish chorizo, bringing a vibrant kick to the traditional carbonara. Dice the chorizo finely and crisp it up in the pan for maximum flavor intensity.
• Truffle Herb Carbonara: Incorporate fresh truffle shavings and chopped herbs like thyme or rosemary. Finish the dish with a drizzle of truffle oil to elevate the luxurious taste and aroma.

Concluding Thoughts on Michael Symon’s Carbonara

Michael Symon’s Carbonara celebrates Italian culinary heritage with bold, creamy simplicity.

Smoked meat crackles against silky pasta, creating intense flavor harmony.

Parmesan cheese adds luxurious depth to each perfectly coiled strand.

Rich egg sauce envelops ingredients in classic Roman comfort.

Pepper’s sharp notes dance through smooth textures, awakening palate memories.

Bold flavors invite passionate cooks to explore, share, and savor this masterpiece – comments and likes welcome, culinary adventurers!

Michael Symon Carbonara Recipe

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5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy Michael Symon Carbonara brings classic Italian pasta magic to home kitchens with rich pancetta and silky egg sauce. Rich, authentic flavors dance through each perfectly twirled forkful, inviting culinary adventurers to savor Roman-inspired comfort.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) dried pasta
• ½ pound (227 grams) diced smoked meat
• ½ pound (227 grams) diced smoked meat
• 4 eggs

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) pepper
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) olive oil
• 1–2 tablespoons (15–30 milliliters) salt (pasta water)
• A few sprigs of parsley

Finishing Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) Parmesan cheese, more if desired
• 5 quarts (4.7 liters) water

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Instructions

1. Fill a large pot with 5 quarts (4.7 liters) of water and bring to a vigorous boil, seasoning generously with kosher salt.
2. Carefully add 1 pound (454 grams) of dried pasta and cook until just shy of al dente, approximately 1 minute less than package instructions.
3. Heat 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) of extra virgin olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Introduce half a pound (227 grams) of finely diced smoked meat, sautéing until golden and crisp with delicate edges.
5. In a separate mixing bowl, vigorously whisk 4 large eggs until they become light and frothy.
6. Fold 1 tablespoon (15 grams) of freshly ground black pepper, finely chopped parsley, and 1 cup (100 grams) of grated Parmesan cheese into the whisked eggs.
7. Ladle 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) of starchy pasta water into the meat skillet, creating a silky base, then immediately reduce heat to low.
8. Pour the egg and cheese mixture into the skillet, stirring continuously to prevent scrambling.
9. Transfer the drained pasta directly into the skillet, tossing thoroughly to coat each strand with the creamy sauce.
10. Plate the pasta, garnish with additional Parmesan cheese, and serve immediately while piping hot.

Notes

• Salting water generously creates a flavorful foundation for your entire dish, enhancing every bite with deep, rich taste.
• Pasta flexibility means you can raid your pantry and use whatever noodle shape catches your eye or sits waiting in the cabinet.
• Skipping oil in boiling water helps sauce cling magnificently to pasta, creating that perfect coating every home cook dreams about.
• Meat selection transforms this recipe, letting you play with smoky bacon, spicy sausage, or tender pulled chicken for endless delicious variations.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 540
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 63 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 210 mg