Description
Homemade gnocchi carbonara blends Italian pasta traditions with creamy sauce perfection. Rich pancetta, pecorino cheese, and silky egg yolks create a memorable dining experience you’ll savor until the last delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 500 grams (17.5 ounces) gnocchi
- 130 grams (4.5 ounces) guanciale or pancetta
- 40 grams (1.5 ounces) pecorino cheese, grated
- 3 medium egg yolks
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 1 large garlic clove
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Cooking Liquid:
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and carefully drop in the gnocchi, allowing them to cook until they effortlessly float to the surface, indicating doneness. Carefully extract a small amount of cooking liquid before draining the pasta.
- Whisk egg yolks together with finely grated pecorino cheese, incorporating 1-2 tablespoons of the reserved gnocchi water to create a smooth, silky sauce base. Generously season with freshly cracked black pepper for depth of flavor.
- In a separate skillet, warm olive oil and infuse it with a crushed garlic clove until the oil becomes aromatic. Remove and discard the garlic, leaving behind a subtly flavored oil.
- Add pancetta to the infused oil, cooking for 4-5 minutes until it transforms into crispy, golden-brown morsels. Introduce the cooked gnocchi to the skillet, sautéing until they develop a light golden exterior, stirring frequently to ensure even browning.
- Remove the skillet from heat and allow it to cool slightly to prevent the eggs from scrambling. Gently fold the egg-cheese mixture into the gnocchi and pancetta, ensuring each piece is luxuriously coated. If the sauce appears too thick, gradually incorporate reserved cooking water to achieve a silky, clinging consistency.
Notes
- Achieve perfect gnocchi texture by monitoring their float time carefully, ensuring they’re not overcooked and remain tender.
- Create silky smooth sauce by tempering egg yolks gradually with hot pasta water, preventing scrambling and maintaining creamy consistency.
- Swap pancetta with crispy bacon or vegetarian bacon bits for dietary variations, keeping the dish’s rich flavor profile intact.
- Control sauce thickness by adding reserved pasta water incrementally, allowing you to adjust to desired creaminess without compromising taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 180mg