Creamy Linguine Carbonara Recipe
Introduction
Creamy Linguine Carbonara is a simple and comforting Italian-inspired pasta dish made with fine linguine, prosciutto, garlic, butter, onion, half & half, parsley, green onions, and black pepper. Vito’s version is designed as a low-salt-conscious recipe and uses half & half instead of heavy cream.
The linguine is cooked until al dente and combined directly with the creamy prosciutto sauce. Finish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a rich and satisfying pasta dinner that works well for a family meal or weeknight dinner.
Watch the Video
Watch Vito’s step-by-step video to see how to make this authentic Linguine Carbonara, from sautéing the garlic, butter, onion, and prosciutto to combining the al dente pasta with the sauce.
What Is Carbonara?
Carbonara is a easy creamy pasta dish traditionally associated with Italian cuisine. In this recipe, Vito creates his own version using fine linguine, prosciutto or pancetta, garlic, butter, onion, half & half, parsley, and green onions.
Unlike versions that use heavy cream, this recipe uses half & half to create the creamy sauce. The pasta is added directly to the sauce while retaining some of the pasta water and starch.
Ingredients for Creamy Linguine Carbonara Recipe
- 4 tablespoons butter salted or unsalted
- 4 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 white onion chopped
- ⅓ lb prosciutto or pancetta thinly sliced
- Half & half added to desired thickness
- 1 tablespoon parsley fresh or dried
- 1 bunch green onions or scallions chopped
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil for the pasta water
- ½ lb Linguine Fini
- 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese optional
How to Make Linguine Carbonara
1. Prepare the Ingredients
Chop the garlic, white onion, parsley, and green onions. Thinly slice the prosciutto or pancetta.
Measure the butter, half & half, black pepper, olive oil, and Linguine Fini.
2. Sauté the Garlic and Onion
Add butter to a preheated saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and onion.
Sauté until the onion and garlic soften and the butter becomes lightly browned. Be careful not to burn the butter.
3. Add the Prosciutto
Add the thinly sliced prosciutto or pancetta to the pan.
Cook for a few minutes, allowing it to heat through and combine with the garlic, onion, and butter.
4. Add the Half & Half
Pour in the half & half according to your preferred sauce thickness.
Stir the mixture and continue cooking until the ingredients combine into a smooth, creamy sauce.
5. Cook the Linguine
Bring water to a boil and cook the Linguine Fini until al dente.
For this recipe, the pasta takes approximately 12 minutes to cook.
6. Add Parsley and Green Onions
Add chopped parsley to the sauce and stir.
Then add the chopped green onions or scallions and continue cooking until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
7. Combine the Pasta and Sauce
Instead of completely draining and rinsing the pasta, transfer the cooked linguine directly from the boiling water into the carbonara sauce.
Allow some of the pasta water to remain with the pasta. The pasta starch helps the sauce coat the linguine.
Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated.
8. Serve
Transfer the Linguine Carbonara to serving plates.
Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired and serve immediately.
What Makes This Linguine Carbonara Different?
Vito’s Linguine Fini Carbonara uses fine linguine, prosciutto or pancetta, garlic, butter, onion, and half & half.
The recipe is also described as a low-salt-conscious version. Instead of adding additional salt, the recipe relies on ingredients such as salted butter and prosciutto for flavor.
What Is Linguine Fini?
Linguine Fini is a thinner version of traditional linguine. Its narrower shape makes it a suitable pasta for creamy sauces because the sauce coats the strands as they are tossed together.
For this recipe, Vito specifically recommends using Linguine Fini.
Can You Use Prosciutto or Pancetta in Carbonara?
Yes. This recipe gives the option of using either prosciutto or pancetta.
Prosciutto is thinly sliced Italian cured ham, while pancetta is Italian cured pork belly. Either can be used in this recipe according to the original ingredient list.
Can You Use Half & Half in Carbonara?
Yes. Vito’s version specifically uses half & half rather than heavy cream.
The half & half is added gradually to the sautéed garlic, onion, butter, and prosciutto mixture until the desired sauce thickness is reached.
Tips for Making Linguine Carbonara
- Use Linguine Fini or another thin linguine-style pasta.
- Slice the prosciutto or pancetta thinly.
- Avoid burning the butter when sautéing the garlic and onion.
- Add half & half gradually until you reach your preferred consistency.
- Cook the pasta until al dente.
- Transfer the pasta directly into the sauce rather than rinsing it.
- Keep some pasta water with the linguine to help combine the pasta and sauce.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan when serving.
- Adjust the amount of black pepper according to taste.
- If using salted butter and prosciutto, additional salt may not be necessary.
What to Serve with Linguine Carbonara
Linguine Carbonara can be served as a main course on its own. For a larger Italian-style meal, it can also be paired with vegetables, salad, or crusty bread.
Is Linguine Carbonara Easy to Make?
Yes. This recipe uses a relatively short list of ingredients and a straightforward cooking process.
The sauce is prepared while the linguine cooks, and the pasta is then transferred directly into the sauce and tossed together.
More Pasta Recipes to Try
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Linguine Carbonara?
Linguine Carbonara is a creamy pasta dish made with linguine and a savory sauce. Vito’s version uses Linguine Fini, prosciutto or pancetta, garlic, butter, onion, half & half, parsley, and green onions.
Can I use prosciutto instead of pancetta in Carbonara?
Yes. This recipe specifically provides prosciutto or pancetta as options.
What pasta is best for Carbonara?
This recipe uses Linguine Fini, a thinner version of linguine. Other pasta shapes can also be used, but Linguine Fini is the pasta specified in this recipe.
How do you make Carbonara creamy?
In this recipe, half & half is added to the sautéed butter, garlic, onion, and prosciutto mixture. The cooked linguine is then added directly to the sauce along with some pasta water and tossed until combined.
Is Linguine Carbonara an easy recipe?
Yes. The recipe uses simple ingredients and involves preparing the sauce while the pasta cooks, followed by combining the pasta and sauce.
