Description
A creamy and luxurious Smoked Salmon Carbonara recipe that combines silky eggs, rich cream, and savory smoked salmon with perfectly cooked fettuccine pasta. This decadent dish is quick to prepare, making it an ideal gourmet weeknight dinner or special occasion meal with fresh herbs and Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz fettuccine pasta
Carbonara Sauce
- 4 oz high-quality smoked salmon, chopped
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chives or parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook until al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes. Reserve about ½ cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
- Prepare the sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and heavy cream until smooth. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and freshly cracked black pepper to combine thoroughly.
- Combine pasta and salmon: Return the drained pasta to the pot placed over low heat. Gently fold in the chopped smoked salmon to evenly distribute it through the pasta without breaking it up too much.
- Add the sauce: Slowly pour the egg and cream mixture over the pasta while continuously tossing to coat the fettuccine evenly. Add reserved pasta water in small increments as needed to loosen the sauce and achieve a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Serve: Remove the pot from heat to prevent scrambling the eggs. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh chives or parsley. Serve immediately while warm for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use high-quality smoked salmon for the best flavor.
- Be sure to toss the pasta continuously when adding the egg mixture to prevent the eggs from curdling.
- Reserve pasta water helps adjust the sauce consistency without diluting flavor.
- This dish is best enjoyed immediately as the sauce thickens upon cooling.
- Fresh herbs like chives or parsley add a lovely fresh brightness to balance the richness.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
