This Smoked Salmon Carbonara comes together in about 30 minutes and one pot for a delicious weeknight meal that your family will love! Switch up the pasta or seasoning to suit your taste or use it as a ‘clean out the fridge’ meal to get rid of leftovers and odds and ends. Trust me, you’re going to want to keep this recipe on repeat!
Ingredient Breakdown
- Pasta: 8 oz spaghetti or fettuccine
- Smoked Salmon: 4 oz, sliced
- Eggs: 2 large
- Heavy Cream: 1 cup
- Parmesan Cheese: 1/2 cup, grated
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- Chopped Fresh Parsley, for garnish
How to Make Smoked Salmon Carbonara
Instructions
Cook the Pasta (8 minutes) In a large pot of boiling salted water, add the spaghetti or fettuccine. Cook according to package instructions until al dente. Once done, drain the pasta, but reserve about a cup of pasta water. Trust me, this starchy goodness will come in handy later!
Whisk the Cream Mixture (2 minutes) While your pasta is cooking, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese in a large bowl. Go ahead, get a good mix going! This will create that deliciously creamy sauce that you’re dreaming about.
Sauté the Garlic (2 minutes) In a large skillet over medium heat, add a splash of olive oil and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant about 1-2 minutes. Don’t walk away; garlic cooks quickly and you don’t want it to burn!
Combine Everything (3 minutes) Toss the drained pasta into the skillet with the sautéed garlic. Then, while quickly stirring, pour the egg mixture over the hot pasta. You want to do this fast enough that the eggs gently cook from the heat of the pasta, turning it into that creamy sauce, yummy!
Add Smoked Salmon and Season (2 minutes) Gently fold in the smoked salmon and season with a couple pinches of salt and pepper. You want every strand of pasta to be coated in that luxurious sauce!
Serve (1 minute) Plate your carbonara and garnish with chopped parsley. Serve immediately and watch everyone dive in!
Why I Love This Recipe
This is my go-to recipe when I need something comforting yet fancy, and wow, it really is a total crowd-pleaser! I’m a real sucker for those creamy textures paired with savory bites of smoked salmon. It’s a delightful combination that’s hard to resist. Plus, the best part is you can use whatever you’ve got on hand pasta, sauce, or toppings, this dish is SO versatile!
If you loved this Smoked Salmon Carbonara, be sure to check out my Pineapple Glazed Salmon, my Texas Roadhouse Salmon, or my Baked Boursin Salmon!
Why This Recipe Works
Comfort Food
This smoked salmon carbonara is loaded with tons of flavor and comfort. It brings in warmth with every bite a perfect dish for a chilly night or a busy week, really!
Quick & Easy
With a total time of just 30 minutes, this recipe is fantastic for busy weeknights. Who wants to spend hours at the stove? Not me! It’s an easy way to whip up something marvelous in no time.
Customizable
Feeling adventurous? The beauty of carbonara is that it’s super customizable. Use whatever types of fish or veggies you have on hand. Throw in some spinach or peas for an extra pop of color and nutrition!
One Pot Wonder
Come on, who doesn’t love minimal cleanup? This recipe comes together all in one pot, which means less scrubbing and more enjoying! Less fuss in the kitchen means more time with your loved ones eating delicious food.
Budget-Friendly
Last but definitely not least, this recipe uses affordable, everyday ingredients. You likely already have most of these staples in your kitchen!
Serving and Storage Tips
Serving Suggestions
Pair your Smoked Salmon Carbonara with a light salad or some garlic bread for a complete meal. You just can’t go wrong with a little crunch to complement that creamy pasta!
Storage
This dish will keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. You might want to save some of that reserved pasta water to reincorporate creaminess when reheating!
Reheating Instructions
The best way to reheat is to gently warm it on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of reserved pasta water to keep it creamy. You can also pop it in the microwave, but be cautious not to overheat!
Freezer Friendly
Now, if you’re thinking of making a large batch, it’s best to leave out the smoked salmon until you’re ready to serve. After freezing, you can thaw and add the salmon; otherwise, the texture can turn a bit funky.
That’s it! You’ve just made a fabulous Smoked Salmon Carbonara that’s not only easy but sophisticated enough to impress even your pickiest eaters. I hope this proves to be a wonderful addition to your weeknight dinners. Enjoy! Follow us on Pinterest for daily meal inspiration!
Smoked Salmon Carbonara
Ingredients
Method
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, add the spaghetti or fettuccine. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8 minutes.
- Drain the pasta, reserving about a cup of pasta water.
- While pasta is cooking, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese in a large bowl.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add a splash of olive oil and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Toss the drained pasta into the skillet with the sautéed garlic.
- While quickly stirring, pour the egg mixture over the hot pasta to create a creamy sauce.
- Gently fold in the smoked salmon and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Plate your carbonara and garnish with chopped parsley. Serve immediately.