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Vegetarian Carbonara Recipe

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3.9 from 12 reviews

A creamy and flavorful vegetarian take on the classic carbonara, featuring golden-fried halloumi cheese and a silky egg-parmesan sauce tossed with perfectly cooked spaghetti. This quick 18-minute recipe is ideal for a satisfying and elegant meal.

  • Total Time: 18 minutes
  • Yield: 3 servings

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 200 g / 7 oz dried spaghetti
  • Salt for boiling water

Carbonara Sauce

  • 1 egg
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese (or pecorino romano), freshly grated

Halloumi and Seasoning

  • 150 g / 5 oz halloumi cheese, cut into 1 cm / ½ inch cubes
  • 1 clove garlic, smashed (skin on)
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the dried spaghetti according to the packet instructions until al dente. Reserve about half a cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
  2. Prepare Egg and Cheese Mixture: While pasta is cooking, whisk together the egg and freshly grated parmesan cheese in a bowl until fully combined. Set aside.
  3. Start Frying Halloumi: When the pasta has about 5 minutes left to cook, heat olive oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add the halloumi cubes along with the smashed clove of garlic (skin intact) to infuse flavor.
  4. Brown Halloumi: Allow the halloumi to fry on one side undisturbed until it turns golden brown, about 3 – 4 minutes. Use a spatula to flip the cubes and brown the other side similarly.
  5. Remove Garlic: Use tongs to discard the garlic clove and its skin from the pan once it has imparted its flavor.
  6. Add Pasta to Pan: Drain the cooked pasta and add it directly into the pan with the halloumi. Pour in ⅓ to ½ cup of the reserved pasta cooking water and season generously with black pepper. Toss the pasta gently to combine, then turn off the heat ensuring the pan is no longer sizzling.
  7. Incorporate Egg Mixture: Slowly pour the whisked egg and parmesan mixture into the pasta in a circular motion. Quickly toss the pasta again to coat evenly, creating a creamy and silky sauce without scrambling the egg.
  8. Serve: Plate immediately and garnish with extra parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper for added flavor and presentation.

Notes

  • Seasoning the pasta water with salt is crucial for flavorful pasta.
  • Do not stir the halloumi immediately; allow it to form a golden crust for best texture.
  • Using the reserved pasta water helps achieve the signature creamy carbonara sauce texture.
  • Work quickly when adding the egg mixture to prevent the eggs from scrambling.
  • Remove the garlic skin to avoid overpowering the delicate flavors of the dish.
  • Author: Maya
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 13 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Find it online: https://recipeteach.com/vegetarian-carbonara-recipe/