Smoked Salmon Carbonara
This easy smoked salmon carbonara is a creamy, gourmet twist on classic carbonara, featuring silky eggs, parmesan, and ribbons of smoked salmon. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a special dinner or a quick weeknight treat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 12 oz (340 g) spaghetti or linguine (or fettuccine/penne)
- Salt, for pasta water
- 2 large eggs
- 1 large egg yolk
- 3/4 cup (60 g) finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Parmesan cheese
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) heavy cream (optional)
- 4 oz (115 g) smoked salmon, sliced into ribbons
- 1–2 tbsp fresh dill or chives, chopped (optional)
- Zest from 1/2 lemon
- A drizzle of good olive oil (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water (at least 4 quarts) to a boil. Add pasta and cook until just al dente, about 9-10 minutes.
- While pasta cooks, whisk together 2 whole eggs, 1 yolk, and 3/4 cup grated parmesan in a large mixing bowl. Add black pepper and heavy cream (if using). Add lemon zest if desired.
- Reserve about 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Drain pasta quickly (do not rinse) and immediately transfer to the bowl with the egg-cheese mixture.
- Toss rapidly with tongs so the heat from the pasta gently cooks the eggs and forms a creamy sauce. Add reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until the sauce is glossy and coats the noodles.
- Gently fold in smoked salmon and most of the fresh dill or chives.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with more black pepper or cheese if needed. Add more pasta water if sauce thickens too much.
- Divide among plates. Top with extra salmon, dill, a drizzle of olive oil, more parmesan, and lemon zest if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
Have all ingredients prepped before starting, as the dish comes together quickly. Toss pasta and egg mixture off the heat to avoid scrambling. Use high-quality smoked salmon for best results. For gluten-free, use GF pasta; for dairy-free, use dairy-free cheese and omit cream. Leftovers can be reheated gently with a splash of cream or milk.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/4 of recipe (1 generous bowl)
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 820
- Fat: 19
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 48
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 23
Keywords: smoked salmon carbonara, creamy pasta, gourmet dinner, easy carbonara, Italian pasta, seafood pasta, smoked salmon recipe, weeknight dinner, special occasion pasta, quick pasta recipe