Ravioli Carbonara is has tender cheese-filled ravioli with crispy bacon, Parmesan cheese in a creamy egg-based sauce. It's a quick weeknight meal that feels extra special!
4slicesthick cut bacon(125 grams or an equal amount pancetta chopped)
2whole garlic cloves(peeled and lightly smashed)
2large eggs
2tablespoonsgrated Parmesan or Pecorino cheese
1tablespoonreserved bacon fat
fresh cracked black pepper
450gramsfresh cheese ravioli(1 lb)
reserved pasta water
salt as needed
Instructions
In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, cook bacon or pancetta with whole garlic cloves until bacon is browned and crisp (if the garlic begins to get dark, just remove it).
Remove bacon with a slotted spoon (pick out garlic cloves) and drain on a paper towel. Reserve 1 tablespoon bacon fat.
In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, cheese, reserved bacon fat and some freshly cracked pepper (start small, and add more later as needed).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add ravioli and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water and drain.
Add the egg mixture to the pot with the ravioli, along with a couple tablespoons pasta water. Stir and turn the pasta in the eggs, adding more pasta water as needed, until the sauce coats the pasta. *It's important that you toss and stir a lot when adding the pasta so that the sauce does not become clumpy*
Stir in the cooked bacon. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed before serving.
Video
Notes
Ingredients and Variations:Bacon: bacon is not traditional in carbonara but we prefer it over pancetta. Feel free to use either interchangeably in this recipe, or omit for a meatless version.Ravioli: any pasta shape will work here! We love this sauce with linguine, penne, or tortellini as well.Veg it up: feel free to add in chopped, fresh spinach, sautéed mushrooms, or frozen peas to up the nutritional value here.