Best 6 Lighter Rotini Carbonara Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Indulge in the symphony of flavors that is Rotini Carbonara, a delightful pasta dish that captures the essence of Italian cuisine. This versatile dish offers a creamy and luscious sauce, featuring crispy bacon, sautéed mushrooms, tender peas, and a sprinkling of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, all harmoniously combined with perfectly cooked rotini pasta.

Embark on a culinary journey with three enticing recipes that cater to various dietary preferences and skill levels. The Classic Rotini Carbonara stays true to tradition, showcasing the richness of eggs, Parmesan cheese, and crispy bacon. For a lighter version, the Lighter Rotini Carbonara swaps heavy cream for low-fat milk and lean bacon, resulting in a healthier indulgence. And for those with dietary restrictions, the Vegan Rotini Carbonara presents a plant-based alternative, featuring creamy cashew sauce, roasted vegetables, and meatless bacon, delivering a satisfying and compassionate meal.

Each recipe provides step-by-step instructions, ensuring a seamless cooking experience. Discover the art of creating the perfect carbonara sauce, mastering the technique of rendering crispy bacon, and learning the secret to perfectly al dente pasta.

Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with this delectable Rotini Carbonara, a dish that promises a delightful culinary adventure.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

LIGHT LINGUINE CARBONARA



Light Linguine Carbonara image

When we have to rush off at night, I make this speedy pasta with veggies and bacon. Serve with breadsticks or garlic toast, and dinner's done. -Mary Jo Miller, Mansfield, Ohio

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 25m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

8 ounces uncooked linguine
1/2 cup frozen peas
1 large egg
1 cup fat-free evaporated milk
1/4 cup finely chopped sweet red pepper
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
2 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

Steps:

  • In a 6-qt. stockpot, cook linguine according to package directions, adding peas during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, whisk egg, milk, red pepper, pepper flakes and pepper until blended; cook and stir over medium-low heat until mixture is just thick enough to coat a spoon and a thermometer reads at least 160°. Stir in 1/4 cup cheese and bacon; remove from heat., Drain linguine; return to pot. Add sauce and toss to coat. Serve with remaining cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 349 calories, Fat 7g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 62mg cholesterol, Sodium 366mg sodium, Carbohydrate 53g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 19g protein.

CHICKEN CARBONARA



Chicken Carbonara image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     main-dish

Time 42m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 teaspoons olive oil
4 ounces thinly sliced pancetta, chopped
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 1/2 cups whipping cream
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
8 large egg yolks
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
Salt
1 pound spaghetti
4 cups coarsely shredded chicken (from 1 roasted chicken)
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon peel

Steps:

  • Heat the oil in a heavy large frying pan over medium heat. Add the pancetta and garlic and saute until it is brown and crisp, about 8 minutes. Cool slightly.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the cream, cheese, yolks, basil, and parsley to blend.
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the spaghetti and cook until it is just tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Drain.
  • Add the chicken to the pan with the pancetta and stir to combine. Next, add the spaghetti and the cream mixture and toss over medium-low heat until the chicken is heated through and the sauce coats the spaghetti thickly, about 4 minutes (do not boil or you might end up scrambling the eggs). Season the pasta, to taste, with pepper and salt if needed (the pancetta will likely add all the salt you need). Transfer the pasta to a large wide serving bowl. Sprinkle the walnuts and lemon zest over, and serve.

THE BEST CARBONARA



The Best Carbonara image

Now this is our idea of comfort food. Creamy and rich, it's the quintessential dish for a chilly evening. We like to splurge every once in a while and add a knob of butter to the cheesy egg sauce just to round it out. We've left that option up to you, however. Either way, we can't think of a more classic or satisfying pasta dish.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 20m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

Kosher salt
4 large eggs, plus 2 large yolks
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for sprinkling
1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano
1 tablespoon coarsely ground black pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature (optional)
1 pound spaghetti
One 12-ounce piece pancetta, cut into matchsticks

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.
  • Whisk together the eggs, yolks, Parmesan, Pecorino, pepper and butter if using in a large bowl until well combined.
  • Add the pasta and cook as the label directs. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain the pasta.
  • Meanwhile, cook the pancetta in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 8 minutes. Add the spaghetti and half the reserved pasta cooking water to the skillet and toss to combine.
  • Add the egg mixture and toss to coat. Cook, tossing continuously to avoid scrambling the eggs, until the sauce is creamy, thinning it with the remaining pasta water if it becomes too thick (it should be saucy but not watery), about 1 minute.
  • Divide the pasta among plates and sprinkle with more grated Parmesan.

CARBONARA (GUANCIALE, EGG, AND PECORINO ROMANO)



Carbonara (Guanciale, Egg, and Pecorino Romano) image

Use the best, freshest eggs you can find, and don't even think of making this dish with eggs from stressed-out battery chickens. You can taste the difference. If you can find real guanciale, so much the better. Once the eggs have been added to the pasta, do not let the pan touch the heat directly or you will wind up with scrambled eggs.

Provided by Oretta Zanini De Vita

Categories     Egg     Pasta     Dinner

Number Of Ingredients 8

For the condimento:
4 ounces (115 grams) guanciale, cut into 1/4-inch (1/2-centimeter) dice
2 generous tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, preferably lightly fruity
3 large eggs, at room temperature
10 rounded tablespoons (100 grams) freshly grated pecorino romano, or half pecorino romano and half parmigiano-reggiano
freshly ground black pepper
To make the dish:
1 pound (450 grams) pasta (see note below)

Steps:

  • Put the guanciale and oil in a large skillet. Sauté over medium heat until the edges of the guanciale pieces are just turning brown, about 2 minutes. Don't let it get too crisp. Set the pan and its contents aside but keep warm.
  • Bring 5 quarts (5 liters) of water to a boil in an 8-quart (8-liter) pot over high heat. When the water boils, add 3 tablespoons kosher salt, then add the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente.
  • While the pasta is cooking, break the eggs into a small bowl and add all the cheese and a generous grinding of pepper. Whisk gently until the mixture is smooth.
  • Drain the pasta (reserving and keeping warm a cup of its water) and put it in the skillet with the guanciale over low heat. Toss quickly to mix well.
  • Holding the skillet slightly above but not touching the burner, pour the egg and cheese mixture in a stream into the pasta. Now, if you have the skill, toss the pasta with a deft movement of the wrist to blend all the contents of the pan. If you don't, remove the pan from the heat and mix quickly with two wooden spoons. If you have a warm spot, such as a food warmer or even over a pilot light, rest the pan there while you work.
  • Whatever you do, work fast or the pasta will get cold and the eggs will stay raw and runny. Ideally the heat of the pasta will cook the egg just enough, and the sauce should be creamy. You can mix in a tiny bit of the reserved water to smooth things out, but you probably won't need to.
  • Transfer to individual heated bowls or plates and serve instantaneously.

ULTIMATE SPAGHETTI CARBONARA RECIPE



Ultimate spaghetti carbonara recipe image

Discover how to make superb spaghetti carbonara. This cheesy pasta dish is an Italian favourite and with the right technique, you can make it perfect every time

Provided by Angela Nilsen

Categories     Dinner, Main course

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 8

100g pancetta
50g pecorino cheese
50g parmesan
3 large eggs
350g spaghetti
2 plump garlic cloves, peeled and left whole
50g unsalted butter
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Put a large saucepan of water on to boil.
  • Finely chop the 100g pancetta, having first removed any rind. Finely grate 50g pecorino cheese and 50g parmesan and mix them together.
  • Beat the 3 large eggs in a medium bowl and season with a little freshly grated black pepper. Set everything aside.
  • Add 1 tsp salt to the boiling water, add 350g spaghetti and when the water comes back to the boil, cook at a constant simmer, covered, for 10 minutes or until al dente (just cooked).
  • Squash 2 peeled plump garlic cloves with the blade of a knife, just to bruise it.
  • While the spaghetti is cooking, fry the pancetta with the garlic. Drop 50g unsalted butter into a large frying pan or wok and, as soon as the butter has melted, tip in the pancetta and garlic.
  • Leave to cook on a medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until the pancetta is golden and crisp. The garlic has now imparted its flavour, so take it out with a slotted spoon and discard.
  • Keep the heat under the pancetta on low. When the pasta is ready, lift it from the water with a pasta fork or tongs and put it in the frying pan with the pancetta. Don't worry if a little water drops in the pan as well (you want this to happen) and don't throw the pasta water away yet.
  • Mix most of the cheese in with the eggs, keeping a small handful back for sprinkling over later.
  • Take the pan of spaghetti and pancetta off the heat. Now quickly pour in the eggs and cheese. Using the tongs or a long fork, lift up the spaghetti so it mixes easily with the egg mixture, which thickens but doesn't scramble, and everything is coated.
  • Add extra pasta cooking water to keep it saucy (several tablespoons should do it). You don't want it wet, just moist. Season with a little salt, if needed.
  • Use a long-pronged fork to twist the pasta on to the serving plate or bowl. Serve immediately with a little sprinkling of the remaining cheese and a grating of black pepper. If the dish does get a little dry before serving, splash in some more hot pasta water and the glossy sauciness will be revived.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 655 calories, Fat 31 grams fat, SaturatedFat 16 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 66 grams carbohydrates, Fiber 3 grams fiber, Protein 32 grams protein, Sodium 2.02 milligram of sodium

LIGHT PASTA CARBONARA



Light Pasta Carbonara image

Make and share this Light Pasta Carbonara recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Luv4food

Categories     European

Time 30m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

4 slices turkey bacon, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups hot cooked thin pasta (12 oz dry)
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons minced parsley
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup 2% low-fat milk
6 tablespoons fat-free egg substitute

Steps:

  • Cook bacon in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until crisp.
  • Add garlic, saute for 1 minute or until tender.
  • Reduce heat to low, stir in pasta, cheese, parsley, and pepper.
  • Combine egg substitue and milk, add to pasta, stirring constantly for 3 minutes or until sauce thickens.
  • Serve immediately.

Tips:

  • Use good quality ingredients. This will make a big difference in the final flavor of your dish. Look for fresh, flavorful vegetables, high-quality cheese, and authentic Italian pasta.
  • Cook the pasta al dente. This means cooking it until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it. Overcooked pasta will be mushy and unpleasant.
  • Don't overcook the sauce. The sauce should be creamy and slightly thickened, but it should not be too thick or gloopy. Overcooked sauce will be dry and unpleasant.
  • Add the cheese gradually. This will help prevent the cheese from clumping together and will ensure that it melts evenly throughout the sauce.
  • Season to taste. Add salt, pepper, and other seasonings to taste. Be careful not to over-season, as you can always add more seasoning later if needed.

Conclusion:

This rotini carbonara is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is also a great way to use up leftover pasta. With its creamy sauce, flavorful vegetables, and crispy bacon, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy pasta dish, give this rotini carbonara a try. You won't be disappointed!

Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »

    #bacon     #30-minutes-or-less     #time-to-make     #main-ingredient     #cuisine     #preparation     #pasta     #pork     #european     #italian     #meat     #pasta-rice-and-grains

Related Topics