Description
A simple and delicious recipe for creamy tortellini carbonara, featuring cheese tortellini, crispy bacon, and a rich sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces cheese tortellini
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the cheese tortellini according to package instructions. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta water.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the bacon and drain on paper towels, leaving the bacon fat in the skillet.
- Add the olive oil and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- In a bowl, whisk together the egg, Parmesan cheese, heavy cream, and reserved pasta water until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add the cooked tortellini to the skillet with the garlic and bacon fat, tossing to coat. Remove the skillet from heat and quickly pour in the egg mixture, stirring constantly to create a creamy sauce.
- Stir in the crispy bacon and mix until well combined. If the sauce is too thick, add a little more reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute turkey bacon for regular bacon and use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Add vegetables like spinach or peas for extra nutrition and flavor. Sauté them with the garlic before adding the tortellini.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 150mg