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Avocado Carbonara: A Delicious and Healthy Twist on a Classic Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 89 reviews

Avocado Carbonara is a fresh and creamy twist on the classic Italian pasta dish, combining ripe avocados with traditional carbonara ingredients like pancetta and cheeses to create a healthier, luscious sauce. This recipe uses blending and stovetop cooking techniques to deliver a smooth, flavorful meal that is both satisfying and nutritious.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 1 pound spaghetti

Sauce

  • 4 ripe avocados
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese, plus more for serving
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or more to taste
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1/4 cup reserved pasta water, plus more as needed

Protein and Fat

  • 4 ounces pancetta, diced (or bacon)
  • 1/4 cup olive oil

Seasoning and Garnish

  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep the Avocados: Cut each avocado in half, remove the pit, and scoop out the flesh into a food processor or blender.
  2. Add the Cheese: Add the Parmesan and Pecorino Romano cheeses to the food processor or blender.
  3. Garlic and Red Pepper Flakes: Toss in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the blender.
  4. Lemon Juice: Squeeze in the juice of one lemon to brighten the sauce.
  5. Blend Until Smooth: Blend everything together until smooth and creamy. Add a tablespoon or two of water if the sauce is too thick to achieve the desired consistency.
  6. Season to Taste: Taste the sauce and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper according to your preference.
  7. Dice the Pancetta: Dice the pancetta into small pieces. If using bacon, cook it until crispy, drain the excess grease, and crumble it into small pieces.
  8. Cook in Olive Oil: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta or bacon and cook until crispy and golden brown.
  9. Remove from Heat: Once cooked, remove the skillet from heat and set aside.
  10. Boil Water: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil for the pasta.
  11. Add Pasta: Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
  12. Reserve Pasta Water: Before draining, reserve about 1/4 cup of the pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
  13. Drain Pasta: Drain the pasta using a colander and set aside.
  14. Combine Pasta and Pancetta: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with pancetta and rendered fat, tossing to coat the noodles well.
  15. Add Avocado Sauce: Pour the creamy avocado sauce over the pasta and toss gently to coat evenly.
  16. Add Egg Yolks: In a small bowl, whisk together egg yolks, then pour over the pasta, tossing quickly to combine and create a rich texture.
  17. Add Pasta Water: If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water one tablespoon at a time, tossing until smooth and creamy.
  18. Season to Taste: Season with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper as desired.
  19. Plate the Pasta: Divide the pasta into four portions and transfer to plates.
  20. Garnish: Garnish with fresh basil leaves and sprinkle extra Parmesan and Pecorino Romano cheese on top if using.
  21. Serve Immediately: Serve the avocado carbonara immediately to enjoy its creamy texture and fresh flavors.

Notes

  • Use ripe avocados for the creamiest sauce and best flavor.
  • If bacon is used instead of pancetta, cook thoroughly and drain well to avoid excess grease.
  • Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control the spiciness of the dish.
  • The egg yolks add richness but do not cook fully, so consume the dish fresh and promptly.
  • Reserve pasta water is essential to achieving the perfect sauce consistency.
  • Fresh basil garnish adds a lovely herbal note but is optional.

Keywords: avocado carbonara, creamy avocado pasta, healthy carbonara, pancetta pasta, Italian pasta recipe, avocado sauce, easy pasta dish

Find it online: https://cookedbycleo.com/avocado-carbonara-a-delicious-and-healthy-twist-on-a-classic-recipe/