Pancetta and asparagus carbonara with thyme breadcrumbs recipe
Give authentic creamy Italian carbonara a summery twist with delicious asparagus and thyme. This comforting pasta dish is super quick and simple to make, but will always hit the spot.
See method- Serves 4
- 10 mins to prepare and 20 mins to cook
- 660 calories / serving
Ingredients
- 20g butter
- 130g pack pancetta cubes
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 50g fresh breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, plus extra sprigs to serve
- 2 egg yolks
- 2 eggs
- 90g (3 1/2oz) pecorino cheese, finely grated
- 300g (10oz) linguine
- 250g (8oz) asparagus, trimmed and chopped
Each serving contains
- Energy
- 2775kJ 660.0kcal
- Fat
- 31g
- Saturates
- 13g
- Salt
- 1.4g
- Sugars
- 7g
of the Reference intake
Carbohydrate 71.7gProtein 27.9gFibre 5.7g
Method
- Put half the butter and the pancettain a frying pan. Cook over a medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring frequently until golden. Reduce the heat to low and add 1 crushed garlic clove. Cook for 1 minute, until softened but not coloured. Remove from the heat and transfer to a plate. Set aside.
- Return the unwashed pan to a low-medium heat and add the remaining garlic, butter and olive oil. Add the breadcrumbs and thyme and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring frequently until crisp and golden.
- In a small bowl, whisk the egg yolks, egg and two-thirds of the grated cheese. Season with freshly cracked black pepper.
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pan of boiling, salted water following the packet instructions. Add the asparagus for the last 4 minutes of cooking. Drain the pasta and asparagus– reserving half a mugful of cooking water – and return to the pan.
- Add the pancetta and egg mixture to the pan, tossing to combine. Add 4 tbsp of the reserved cooking water and stir for 1 minute, creating a creamy sauce that coats the pasta. Spoon the pasta into bowls and scatter over the toasted breadcrumbs and a couple of thyme sprigs. Serve the remaining cheese on the side.
- See more Italian recipes
- For top tips on protecting you and your family when preparing raw meat and poultry, visit Food Safety in the Home.
