This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Hillshire Brands Company. The opinions and text are all mine.
If you're looking for a budget friendly 20-minute meal that won't break the bank, look no further. This creamy and delicious Spaghetti Carbonara is a delicious way to use Hillshire Farm® Black Forest Ham in an unexpected way. Add a salad and it's a homestyle feast.
Classic Spaghetti Carbonara is Made with Pancetta
Spaghetti Carbonara is a classic pasta dish typically made using pancetta, an Italian bacon. In this dish, Hillshire Farm lunchmeat works perfectly. It's packed with flavor and easy to find. To make it, chopped ham is sautéed in olive oil until crispy, then tossed with al dente spaghetti that's dressed with a robust Parmigiana Reggiano and egg-based cheese sauce. It's a pasta dish packed with flavor that will satisfy hungry tummies and keep your grocery budget on track.
Budget Friendly Ingredient Swaps and Pro Tips for Making Spaghetti Carbonara
As a mom, I'm always looking for budget friendly ingredients to serve to my boys and this Black Forest Ham is made with no artificial flavors or preservatives making it a winning choice. I always have lunch meat in my fridge for school lunches and snacking. It was a natural progression for me to find additional uses for those ingredients and that's how this tasty pasta dish was born.
- In place of ham you can of course, use pancetta or bacon instead. ½ lb of either should work beautifully.
- You can use grated Parmesan if you prefer, for the sauce.
- It's important to reserve some of the cooking liquid to thin the sauce and assist in cooking the eggs once mixing the dish together.
- Carbonara is best made and eaten immediately.
- Another spaghetti recipe you may like to try is my recipe for Baked Pizza Spaghetti.
Spaghetti Carbonara with a Twist
This Spaghetti Carbonara easily serves 6 depending on the appetites of those you're feeding, of course. Simply add a salad and some bread and dinner is ready in less than 20 minutes. Top it with freshly grated Parmigiana-Reggiano cheese at the table just before serving and your family will feel like they're dining at an Italian restaurant at home. That's a combination for mealtime success in my kitchen. Original post sponsored by Hillshire Farm.
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Helpful Kitchen Items:
Spaghetti Carbonara
Ingredients
- 1 lb dry spaghetti
- 2 Tbsp Olive oil
- 1 9 oz 9-oz package Hillshire Farm® Black Forest Ham, chopped OR ½ lb bacon or Pancetta
- 2 medium garlic cloves minced
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes or freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 cup grated Parmigiana Reggiano cheese plus additional for garnishing
- 2 large eggs plus 2 egg yolks
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- Reserve ½-1 cup pasta water
- Chopped fresh Italian parsley
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted water per the package directions until al dente.
- Meanwhile, drizzle a large skillet with olive oil. Add the chopped ham. Cook over medium-high for 3-5 minutes or until browned and sightly crispy.
- Add garlic, sauté for 1 minute. Add red pepper flakes if using, or black pepper to taste. Remove skillet from heat and set aside.
- Drain pasta, reserve 1 cup water. If skillet has cooled return to stovetop on warm. Add pasta to skillet and mix until coated with oil.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the cheese, eggs and onion powder.
- Quickly mix the cheese mixture into the hot spaghetti and ham. Add hot pasta water in small amounts until sauce is your desired consistency.
- Mix in parsley and serve immediately garnished with additional Parmigiana-Reggiano cheese.
Notes
- In place of ham you can of course, use pancetta or bacon instead. ½ lb of either should work beautifully.
- You can use grated Parmesan if you prefer, for the sauce.
- It's important to reserve some of the cooking liquid to thin the sauce and assist in cooking the eggs once mixing the dish together.
- Carbonara is best made and eaten immediately.
Nutrition
My name is Melissa and I'm the Creator of Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen. Cooking, baking, developing recipes and kitchen tips is my passion. I love sharing my dishes and connecting with people through the food that I create.
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