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    You are here: Home / Recipes / Fish & Seafood

    Shrimp Carbonara

    Published: Feb 15, 2021 · Modified: Feb 24, 2022 by Susie Weinrich · This post may contain affiliate links. 29 Comments

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    shrimp over pasta and garnished with parsley
    Shrimp and pasta on a serving platter with parsley and parmesan

    This Shrimp Carbonara recipe is a perfect pasta dinner that only takes 25 minutes to make! Perfectly cooked pasta is coated in a creamy egg & butter sauce and tossed with tender shrimp and crispy bacon. It’s a great weeknight dinner.

    a platter with shrimp carbonara, table bread and serving utensils

    Another quick weeknight shrimp pasta recipe is this Shrimp Scampi Linguine. You can’t go wrong with either one!

    Table of Contents hide
    1 Ingredients
    2 Step By Step Picture Instructions
    3 Recipe Tips
    4 Recipe FAQ’s
    5 Related Recipe
    6 Did you make this recipe?!
    7 Shrimp Carbonara

    Ingredients

    Here are the things that you need to make this Shrimp Carbonara Recipe and some tips on specific ingredients –

    Shrimp Carbonara Ingredients with text labels

    Room Temperature Egg – It is important that you use a room temperature egg so that it will break down properly in the food processor (or blender)

    Pro Tip: To bring an egg to room temp quickly simply place it in a bowl of warm water for about 5 minutes.

    Garlic- This recipe does call for quite a bit of garlic! The flavor is amazing mixed with the bacon, cheese and shrimp. However, if you are sensitive to garlic, then I recommend that you reduce the amount of garlic to 4 cloves.

    Shrimp– When you buy it in the store it may be labeled as a number value. This means how many shrimp are in a pound.

    For this Shrimp Carbonara you want to use a “large” shrimp, which will generally be around 31/35.

    Step By Step Picture Instructions

    This recipe comes together really quickly, so I HIGHLY RECCOMEND that you prep all the ingredients before getting started: put salted water on to boil, slice the bacon, place the egg in warm water to bring to room temp, mince the garlic, measure out the butter, pepper flakes, salt, and parm cheese, also chop the parsley.

    Now that you are prepared (called mise en place in French. Fancy!) grab a food processor or blender and we will make the base of the sauce.

    In the processor/blender add the egg, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, softened butter, and parmesan cheese. Blend about 15 seconds until it is creamy. You may need to stop and scrape the sides down. Set the butter mixture aside for now.

    a food processor with a butter egg sauce

    Pop the pasta in the boiling water to cook per package instructions.

    Pro Tip: Place a measuring cup in your colander and you won’t forget to reserve the starchy pasta water!!

    In a large skillet sauté the bacon over medium heat until it is crisped and brown. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon to a paper towel lined plate.

    Drain all but 2 tablespoon of bacon grease from the pan.

    Add the shrimp to the bacon grease in the pan and cook over medium heat for about 3 minutes, just until the shrimp are a nice pink color.

    Remove the shrimp from the pan and place on the plate with the bacon.

    bacon being removed from a skillet with a slotted spoon
    shrimp cooking in a skillet

    Place the now empty skillet over medium heat. Pour in ¼ cup reserved starchy pasta water and deglaze the bottom of the pan.

    Deglazing – scraping up with browned bits from the bottom of the pan with hot liquid.

    Stir in the pasta, butter/egg mixture, parsley, bacon, and shrimp. Give it a good toss to coat the pasta in the sauce.

    a skillet full of shrimp carbonara pasta being tossed with tongs

    Serve immediately topped with parmesan cheese and cracked black pepper.

    Recipe Tips

    • The recipe comes together really quickly, so prep all your ingredients before you start cooking!
    • This is not a “make-ahead” recipe, it is best served immediately.
    • Make sure you use a room temperature egg. They will process properly when at room temp.
    • Don’t be shy with the cheese! If you like a creamier cheesier pasta, add another ¼ cup of cheese.
    • Don’t forget to reserve the starchy pasta cooking water! Place a measuring cup in your colander to remind you.
    • This recipe would also be delicious with fettuccine or bucatini pasta.
    Shrimp and pasta on a serving platter with parsley and parmesan

    Recipe FAQ’s

    What is Shrimp Carbonara

    Shrimp Carbonara is an Italian pasta dish made with shrimp and bacon tossed in a creamy sauce that is made with egg, butter and parmesan cheese.

    Do you use raw egg in Carbonara?

    Yes, Carbonara is traditionally made with a raw egg. It is part of the sauce that makes it completely creamy and decadent. You can rest assured that the hot pasta and hot pan cook the egg enough to be safe.

    What other cheese can I use in Carbonara?

    If you prefer to not use parmesan cheese in Carbonara that is totally fine, there are plenty of other options. Two great options are Gruyere or Grana Padano. You can use a Pecorino Romano, although it is a little saltier than parmesan.

    Related Recipe

    • tagliatelle pasta topped with beef ragu and a dollop of ricotta cheese
      Beef Ragu
    • linguine with shrimp and lemons in a sauté pan
      Shrimp Scampi Linguine
    • a skillet full of chicken fettuccine alfredo
      Creamy Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

    Susie Weinrich washing produce

    Did you make this recipe?!

    If you make this recipe I would love to hear your review. Pop down to the comment section and connect with me.

    Then sign up for our Weekly Newsletter so you never miss a new recipe!

    Rate This Recipe
    Shrimp Carbonara on a platter with parsley garnish

    Shrimp Carbonara

    Shrimp Carbonara is an Italian pasta dish that is made with shrimp and bacon in a creamy egg and butter sauce. It is ready in under 30 minutes, making it a great weeknight dinner!
    LISTEN TO THE FULL AUDIO RECIPE WITH THE PLAYER BELOW!
    4.88 from 32 votes
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved to Grow
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 746kcal
    Author: Susie Weinrich

    Equipment

    • Food Processor or Blender
    • Large skillet

    Ingredients

    • 1 large egg at room temp (bring to room temp in a bowl of warm water for 5 minutes)
    • 6 tablespoon butter at room temp.
    • ⅓ cup parmesan cheese grated
    • 6 garlic cloves
    • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
    • 6 slices bacon diced
    • ¾ lb large shrimp peeled and deveined (about 31/35 count)
    • 12 oz linguine
    • ½ cup RESERVED starchy pasta cooking water
    • ⅓ cup Italian parsley finely chopped

    Garnish

    • additional parsley, parmesan cheese, and cracked black pepper
    Prevent your screen from going dark while you are cooking!

    Instructions

    Mise en Place (Get Prepped)

    • This recipe comes together really quickly, so I HIGHLY RECCOMEND that you prep all the ingredients before getting started.
      Put salted water on to boil, slice the bacon, place the egg in warm water to bring to room temp, mince the garlic, measure out the butter, pepper flakes, salt, and parmesan cheese, also chop the parsley.

    Shrimp Carbonara

    • In a food processor or blender add the egg, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, softened butter, and parmesan cheese.
      Blend for about 15 seconds until it is creamy. You may need to stop and scrape the sides down.
      Set the butter mixture aside for now.
    • Pop the pasta in the boiling water to cook per package instructions.
      DON'T FORGET TO RESERVE ½ CUP STARCHY PASTA WATER!!
      Pro Tip: Place a measuring cup in your colander and you won't forget to reserve the starchy pasta water!!
    • In a large skillet sauté the bacon over medium heat until it is crisped and brown. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon to a paper towel lined plate.
    • Drain all but 2 tablespoon of bacon grease from the pan.
    • Add the shrimp to the bacon grease in the pan and cook over medium heat for about 3 minutes, just until the shrimp are a nice pink color.
      Remove the shrimp from the pan and place on the plate with the bacon.
    • Place the now empty skillet over medium heat. Pour in ¼ cup reserved starchy pasta water and deglaze the bottom of the pan.
    • Stir in the pasta, butter/egg mixture, parsley, bacon, and shrimp. Give it a good toss to coat the pasta in the sauce.
      Pro Tip: Add more pasta water and parmesan cheese if you like it creamier!
    • Serve immediately topped with parmesan cheese and cracked black pepper.

    Notes:

    RECIPE TIPS: 
    • The recipe comes together really quickly, so prep all your ingredients before you start cooking!
    • This is not a “make-ahead” recipe, it is best served immediately.
    • Make sure you use a room temperature egg. It will process properly when it is at room temp.
    • Don’t be shy with the cheese! If you like a creamier cheesier pasta, add another ¼ cup of cheese.
    • Could also use Grana Padano or Gruyere cheese in place of parmesan cheese.
    • Don’t forget to reserve the starchy pasta cooking water! Place a measuring cup in your colander to remind you.
    • This recipe would also be delicious with fettuccine or bucatini pasta.
    Did you try this recipe? Connect with me & let me know how it turned out by commenting below!
    Jump to Comments
    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 746kcal | Carbohydrates: 66g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 328mg | Sodium: 1336mg | Potassium: 402mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1157IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 269mg | Iron: 4mg

    If nutrition facts are provided they are calculated as an estimate to the best of our knowledge.

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    About Susie Weinrich

    Susie Weinrich is the recipe developer, food photographer, and content creator behind Mom's Dinner. She has over 20 years experience in the food industry. Currently, Susie shares all her recipes and food knowledge on Mom's Dinner. You will find her recipes are easy to follow and full of tips and tricks to make sure the recipe you are making turns out perfect!

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Kim Dezelan

      May 03, 2023 at 2:28 pm

      5 stars
      I love this recipe. Always a hit when I make it. Comes together so nicely with your great instructions. Thanks!

      Reply
    2. RUDY E KILGORE

      March 11, 2023 at 8:16 am

      3 stars
      I loved the flavors in this but for some reason my egg did not blend well into a creamy sauce. (everything was room temperature as directed and blended as per the suggested time.) There were little bits of egg that did into the mixture and thus the final dish had visible egg particles in it. Please respond I want to make it again.

      Reply
      • Susie Weinrich

        March 11, 2023 at 8:28 am

        I’m so sorry this happened. I am stumped on this one! The eggs definitely should have blended all the way down, especially if it was room temp and mixed in a blender or food processor. You could try to temper the sauce with just a splash of the hot pasta cooking water before adding it to the hot pasta. Other than that I don’t have any suggestions if you followed everything to a T, including ingredients and temps. I would give it another try for sure! I think your results were maybe just a fluke.

        Reply
      • kurt gandenberger

        April 08, 2023 at 6:14 pm

        5 stars
        i have been making carbonara recipes for many years. do not get upset with little bits of egg that do not incorporate. it does not affect the flavor and is certainly a matter of technique. the longer you make it the more perfect it will be. but watch portion size because this stuff is high calorie and so delicious you will want to eat too much.

        Reply
      • Amanda

        April 29, 2023 at 5:31 pm

        Egg whites cook faster than egg yokes. So it would help to use 2-3 egg yokes (separate egg whites to use for breakfast, etc.) I always use a higher ratio of egg yokes to egg whites when making carbonara.

        Reply
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