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!
¾lblarge shrimp peeled and deveined (about 31/35 count)
12ozlinguine
½cupRESERVED starchy pasta cooking water
⅓cupItalian parsley finely chopped
Garnish
additional parsley, parmesan cheese, and cracked black pepper
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.
1 large egg, 6 tablespoon butter, ⅓ cup parmesan cheese, 6 garlic cloves, ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
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!!
12 oz linguine
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.
6 slices bacon
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.
¾ lb large shrimp peeled and deveined
Place the now empty skillet over medium heat. Pour in ¼ cup reserved starchy pasta water and deglaze the bottom of the pan.
½ cup RESERVED starchy pasta cooking water
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!
⅓ cup Italian parsley
Serve immediately topped with parmesan cheese and cracked black pepper.
additional parsley, parmesan cheese, and cracked black pepper
Video
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.