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Pumpkin Carbonara Recipe

Pumpkin Carbonara Recipe

A cozy and creamy Pumpkin Carbonara pasta dish that blends smooth pumpkin puree with crispy pancetta, parmesan, and a silky egg sauce for a comforting twist on the classic Italian recipe. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe combines fall flavors with simplicity and speed, perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Pasta

  • Spaghetti – 12 oz (340 g)

Sauce

  • Pumpkin puree – 1 cup (about 240 ml)
  • Egg yolks – 3 large
  • Parmesan cheese – 3/4 cup, freshly grated (about 75 g)
  • Freshly ground black pepper – 1 tsp, or to taste
  • Salt – to taste

Protein & Flavor

  • Pancetta or bacon – 6 oz (170 g), diced
  • Garlic – 2 cloves, minced

Cooking

  • Olive oil – 1 tbsp

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Ingredients: Start by boiling a large pot of salted water. Dice the pancetta and mince the garlic. Measure out the pumpkin puree and grate fresh Parmesan cheese.
  2. Cook the Pancetta: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook until crisp and golden. Add the minced garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Cook the Pasta: Add spaghetti to the boiling salted water and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve one cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
  4. Make the Pumpkin Carbonara Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and Parmesan until combined. Stir in the pumpkin puree and freshly ground black pepper. If the mixture is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen.
  5. Combine Everything: Return the drained pasta to the pot or a warm skillet. Pour the pumpkin-carbonara sauce over the hot pasta and toss vigorously to coat every strand, adding reserved pasta water as needed to reach a creamy consistency. Fold in the crispy pancetta and garlic.
  6. Serve and Enjoy: Plate immediately, garnish as desired with extra Parmesan, fresh sage, or cracked black pepper, and enjoy the comforting blend of creamy pumpkin and savory carbonara flavors.

Notes

  • Use room temperature eggs to prevent scrambling when mixed with hot pasta.
  • Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency and keep it silky.
  • Cook pancetta until crisp for textural contrast.
  • Toss pasta and sauce off the heat to avoid scrambling the eggs.
  • Use freshly ground black pepper to elevate the flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: pumpkin carbonara, creamy pasta, fall recipe, pancetta, easy dinner, Italian pasta