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Pancetta and asparagus carbonara with thyme breadcrumbs recipe

7 ratings

Give authentic creamy Italian carbonara a summery twist with delicious asparagus and thyme. This comforting pasta dish is super quick and simple to make, but will always hit the spot. See method

Serves 4
10 mins to prepare and 20 mins to cook
660 calories / serving

Ingredients

20g butter
130g pack pancetta cubes
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tsp olive oil
50g fresh breadcrumbs
1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, plus extra sprigs to serve
2 egg yolks
2 eggs
90g (3 1/2oz) pecorino cheese, finely grated
300g (10oz) linguine
250g (8oz) asparagus, trimmed and chopped

If you haven't got linguine, try using spaghetti instead

Each serving contains

Energy
2775kj
660kcal 33%
Fat
31g 44%
Saturates
13g 66%
Sugars
7g 7%
Salt
1.4g 23%

of the reference intake
Carbohydrate 71.7g Protein 27.9g Fibre 5.7g

Method

Put half the butter and the pancetta in a frying pan. Cook over a medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring frequently until golden. Reduce the heat to low and add 1 crushed garlic clove. Cook for 1 minute, until softened but not coloured. Remove from the heat and transfer to a plate. Set aside.
Return the unwashed pan to a low-medium heat and add the remaining garlic, butter and olive oil. Add the breadcrumbs and thyme and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring frequently until crisp and golden.
In a small bowl, whisk the egg yolks, egg and two-thirds of the grated cheese. Season with freshly cracked black pepper.
Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pan of boiling, salted water following the packet instructions. Add the asparagus for the last 4 minutes of cooking. Drain the pasta and asparagus – reserving half a mugful of cooking water – and return to the pan.
Add the pancetta and egg mixture to the pan, tossing to combine. Add 4 tbsp of the reserved cooking water and stir for 1 minute, creating a creamy sauce that coats the pasta. Spoon the pasta into bowls and scatter over the toasted breadcrumbs and a couple of thyme sprigs. Serve the remaining cheese on the side.

See more Italian recipes

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