Pasta carbonara with crème fraiche

Tips: Make a great pasta carbonara with crème fraiche

Look at our helpful tips and learn how to make creamy, comforting pasta carbonara with crème fraiche.

Smooth carbonara sauce without curdled eggs

For a smooth carbonara sauce, let your eggs reach room temperature before cooking. This prevents the eggs from seizing when you add them to the sauce. Take the pan off the heat before you add the eggs. The residual heat from the pan will gently cook the yolks, resulting in a rich and creamy texture. Whisk the egg yolks carefully into the sauce to ensure even distribution and prevent them from scrambling.

Place the bacon in a cold pan

To infuse your carbonara with a deep, smoky flavour, start by placing the bacon in a cold pan. This allows the fat to render slowly, ensuring that the bacon cooks evenly without burning. Aim for bacon that is tender and crispy.

Adjust sauce thickness

If your sauce is too thick, gradually add a small amount of the reserved pasta water until you reach the desired consistency. This also helps the sauce cling to the pasta better.

Enjoy our simple recipe for pasta carbonara with crème fraiche

We take the traditional carbonara and give it a creamy twist while still honouring the dish’s original ingredients. Pasta carbonara with crème fraiche is a tangier version of the classic pasta dish but one that still embraces the essence of comfort food. Crispy bacon complements the smooth crème fraiche, adding a savoury bite that balances the flavours beautifully. With just a few ingredients, you can easily prepare a delicious and satisfying dinner that the whole family will love.

For more carbonara variations, try our recipe for pasta carbonara with cream cheese or our tasty vegetarian carbonara. If you are looking for other classic pasta recipes, take a look at our easy ravioli or a quick mac and cheese.

With crispy bacon bits

Frying bacon is a simple yet crucial step in preparing crème fraiche carbonara. As the bacon cooks, it releases fat, forming a rich, golden base for the sauce. This serves as the backbone of the dish, infusing it with an umami flavour that complements the creamy sauce exquisitely. The fried bacon also introduces a hint of smokiness, while its crispy texture contrasts delightfully with the tender spaghetti and velvety sauce.

Coated in a creamy sauce with a slight tang

The secret to any great carbonara is a great sauce. While traditional carbonara recipes use eggs and cheese to make a smooth and creamy sauce, we achieve this by incorporating crème fraiche. It adds a fresh twist to this indulgent classic. Mixed with egg yolks, the crème fraiche creates a silky sauce that is not overly heavy. Its velvety texture perfectly envelops the spaghetti and bacon bits, offering an exciting take on a beloved comfort dish.

Perfect as a quick dinner or easy lunch

Pasta dishes tend to be a great option when you want a quick dinner or an easy lunch. Luckily, our crème fraiche carbonara is no different. All it takes is a few minutes in the kitchen, and you can serve a simple yet brilliant dish to you and your loved ones. The creamy sauce and melted cheese on top make it perfect for an impressive lunch with a few friends or family.

Add your own touch

Our pasta carbonara with crème fraiche shines in its simplicity, yet it offers ample opportunity for personalisation. Start by selecting a pasta type that suits your taste. For those who prefer pasta shapes that effectively capture the sauce, penne, fusilli, and rigatoni are excellent choices due to their shape, which holds the sauce well. Additionally, consider adding a handful of grilled mushrooms to introduce a rich, smoky flavour, or sauté some leeks with the bacon to infuse a delightful earthy sweetness that complements the creamy sauce perfectly.