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Pasta Carbonara w/Asparagus, Pancetta, & Lemon Herb Breadcrumbs a tasty pasta dish perfect for the weekend!
Does anyone like watching Rachael Ray?
I used to watch her all the time. Then, she got really annoying. Like, to the point that I had to watch her with the volume muted.
The lady is annoying but DANG, can she make some pretty awesome food. Which is why I haven’t completely cut her out of my weekend schedule.
Normal Saturday’s consist of waking up before Pioneer Woman comes on and eating breakfast while watching her make something far better than what I’m having at the moment, going through my “to make this weekend” list and usually cooking/baking all day. That’s only if we don’t have a crazy schedule for the weekend already planned. I try to only plan stuff in the evenings so I can get a day’s worth of cooking and natural light for photography. It’s funny I work my life around the natural light haha
I think on this one particular Saturday, J and I were hanging out in the afternoon, flipping through channels because nothing was on tv. When we flipped over Food Network, Rachael Ray was tossing together some gorgeous and creamy looking pasta. She had me at creamy. I can never pass up the chance to make creamy pasta. It’s my all time favorite type. We stopped to see what she was making and it was a version of pasta carbonara.
And it had PANCETTA and ASPARAGUS. I mean, I don’t know about you, but I had just recently bought about 3 pounds of asparagus. Besides my pee smelling foul due to the asparagus, I love asparagus paired with pancetta just as much as the next person. TMI? hehe
I pulled up the recipe on Food Network’s site and immediately put it on the menu for the coming week.
Rachael Ray, as much as you annoy me, you certainly never disappoint in your recipes. This was so yummy. I went along with the egged theme and used egg noodles. The lemon breadcrumbs you top this pasta with screams SPRINGTIME. It’s definitely a dish you need out on your dinner table sometime soon. It really is refreshing and creamy good at the same time.
Pasta Carbonara w/Asparagus, Pancetta, & Lemon Herb Breadcrumbs
Equipment
Ingredients
- ⅓ pound (151 g) pancetta, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup (118 ml) dry white wine
- 1 pound (454 g) egg noodles
- 1 pound (454 g) asparagus, tough ends trimmed then cut into 1-inch pieces on an angle
- 2 tablespoon (28 g) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (108 g) Italian breadcrumbs
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 cup (100 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring water to a boil and season with salt.
- In a large skillet, over medium high heat, add the pancetta and cook for about 3 minutes. Then add in the garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes. Add in the wine and reduce the heat to low.1/3 pound (151 g) pancetta, 4 cloves garlic, 1/2 cup (118 ml) dry white wine
- While it’s reducing, you can go ahead and add in your egg noodles to the pot of boiling water. Cook the noodles according to the instructions on the package. When pasta is halfway done, add in the asparagus to cook together. Once finished, drain pasta and asparagus, while reserving 1 cup of pasta water. Set pasta, asparagus, and water aside.1 pound (454 g) egg noodles, 1 pound (454 g) asparagus
- In a microwave safe bowl, melt 2 tbsp. (28 g) of butter and add in the breadcrumbs and lemon zest. Stir until all combined and breadcrumbs are moistened. Set aside.2 tablespoon (28 g) unsalted butter, 1 cup (108 g) Italian breadcrumbs, Zest of 1 lemon
- Lightly beat the egg yolks in a small bowl and set aside.3 egg yolks
- Now, you can add the pasta and asparagus to the skillet. Toss around and then add in the egg yolks. Turn off the heat and toss for 1 minute, adding in the reserved pasta water slowly to thin out the mixture. Stir in cheese. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.1 cup (100 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese, Salt and pepper
- Divide up the pasta in bowls and top with lemon breadcrumbs.
Notes
Nutrition
Idk what it is about her, but I think her voice just irks me! But she does make some great dishes. I always wondered about her 30-minute meals. I guess it really is a 30- minute meal with everything is all there and prepped for you. Lol.
I saw this dish on your Instagram! I’ve been waiting for its blog appearance and it’s here. Sounds and look amazing! Can’t wait to give this a try soon. (:
Haha, I love asparagus too, and you’re so right about its side effects :) This pasta looks fantastic!! I don’t watch RR, but I have made a few of her recipes that were really good.
This looks like the perfect dinner!! xoxo
Ahahah, love that you totally told it like it is thanks to overconsumption of asparagus. Truth in advertising! ;)
i haven’t watched her in a long time, but I do like a lot of her recipes! especially her pastas – like this one. nick would love it!
Oh ding dang, Julie! This looks amazing! RR is a bit on the obnoxious side, but she sure knows how to work a recipe. I sort of just want to rest my cheek on top of this lovely pasta…Would that be weird?
i agree – rachael irks the heck out of me, but i’ve had 100% success with all of her recipes, so i can’t complain too much. =) this looks fabulous!
Oh, Rachael Ray…I have about 5 of her cookbooks (kinda ashamed to admit that) but I cannot stand her as a person. Thankfully we don’t have cable so I haven’t had any run ins with her horribly annoying voice in over a year now.
Her food is pretty good though and this one looks delicious and creamy! Love the asparagus + pancetta combo. I wrapped asparagus in bacon last night before roasting and it was pretty much the best thing ever. :)
What I love about this is that it looks so light and fresh even though it has a creamy sauce. Those lemon breadcrumbs just sound insane too!
I’m also so glad to hear that your Saturdays are almost exactly the same as mine, I have to plan my weekends out with military precision so there’s enough time in the kitchen!
I used to watch Rachael Ray but I just don’t have time anymore. I DVR certain shows but hers isn’t one of them – I know what you mean, she got a little annoying. But this pasta is anything but annoying. Looks amazing!