Mascarpone Spaghetti Carbonara

Mmmhmm. I did that. Made one of the richest pasta dishes richer. Although, I did remove all of the egg yolks that traditionally make the sauce (except for one), so that balances it out. For all of you that may be Spaghetti Carbonara virgins, this is basically bacon pasta- and it is AMAZING. My mom used to whip this up for my sister and I in a flash when we had nothing else in the fridge. To this day, it might still be one of my favorite pasta dishes. I made some garlic and herb bread to go on the side, because who doesn't want carbs with a side of more carbs on a Saturday night? Not me, obv.

 

Mascarpone Spaghetti Carbonara

Ingredients:

• 1/2 a yellow onion, diced
• 6 strips of bacon, sliced into 1/2" pieces
• spaghetti for 2-3 (when held in your hand, about the diameter of a toonie) or half a box.
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 2/3 cup mascarpone cheese
• 2 tbsp chopped  flat leaf parsley
• salt and pepper

  Method:

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook your spaghetti as per the directions on the package.
2. In a large saute pan, add the bacon pieces and cook for approx 1-2 minutes on med-high heat.
3. Add the onion, and saute until the onion and bacon are golden brown Turn the heat to low and using paper towel, sop up the excess grease in the pan and discard. You may have to do this a couple of times- until there is no "puddle" of grease left in the pan, but the ingredients are still glistening in bacon-y goodness.
• You could attempt to drain off the fat, but I find the paper towel method easier. BE CAREFUL though, that grease is hot, hot hot!
4. While your bacon and onion are getting to know each other, combine the cheeses, egg yolk and salt and pepper in a small bowl.
5. When the pasta is ready, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water, set it aside and drain the pasta.
6. Pour the drained pasta right into the large saute pan with the bacon and onion. Turn the heat off and pour in the cheese mixture- stir until everything is combined.
• If you find the sauce is a bit thick, you can add a bit of pasta water to thin it out until you find your desired consistency. (I didn't end up needing any)
7. Gather the spaghetti with tongs and heap it into pasta bowls, top with the chopped parsley and enjoy.

 

Have an awesome Monday all!

xo

C