Description
Seafood Carbonara is a creamy, savory Italian pasta dish that uniquely combines tender seafood with a luscious, silky sauce made from egg yolks and Parmesan cheese. Quick and easy to prepare, this recipe delivers rich flavors and a comforting yet elegant dining experience, perfect for seafood lovers and Italian cuisine enthusiasts alike.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 200g spaghetti or fettuccine
Seafood
- 150g shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 100g scallops
- 100g mussels (cleaned)
- 100g calamari rings
Carbonara Sauce
- 3 large egg yolks
- 100g freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Aromatics & Fat
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Extra Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare Your Pasta: Boil your pasta in salted water until al dente, following package instructions. Reserve about ½ cup of pasta water before draining to help bind the sauce later.
- Cook the Seafood: In a large pan, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic and chopped shallots until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Add the seafood and cook gently until just tender, taking care not to overcook to maintain a firm texture.
- Mix the Carbonara Sauce: While the seafood cooks, whisk together the egg yolks, grated Parmesan cheese, and freshly ground black pepper in a bowl until combined and creamy.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the pan containing the seafood. Remove the pan from the heat, then quickly stir in the egg and cheese mixture, tossing vigorously to coat the pasta and seafood evenly without scrambling the eggs. Use reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce and achieve a smooth, silky consistency.
- Garnish and Serve: Finish by sprinkling chopped fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese on top. Serve immediately to enjoy the best taste and texture.
Notes
- Use fresh seafood and quality eggs for the best flavor and texture.
- Remove the pan from direct heat before adding the egg mixture to prevent curdling.
- Reserve some pasta water to create a smooth, creamy sauce if needed.
- Toss the pasta and sauce quickly while still hot to coat evenly.
- Season gradually and taste as you cook to balance saltiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approx. 1/2 recipe)
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 275 mg
Keywords: Seafood Carbonara, Italian pasta, creamy seafood pasta, shrimp pasta, scallops recipe, mussels pasta, calamari pasta, comfort food, quick dinner
