Orzo Carbonara Style Creamy (Printable Version)

Creamy orzo paired with Parmesan, eggs, and pancetta delivers Italian-inspired comfort in every bite.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 10.6 ounces orzo pasta
02 - 6.3 cups water
03 - 1 teaspoon salt

→ Sauce

04 - 3 large eggs
05 - 2.8 ounces freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
06 - 3.3 tablespoons heavy cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
07 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Pancetta Mixture

08 - 4.4 ounces pancetta or unsmoked bacon, diced
09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil (if needed)

→ Garnish

10 - Chopped fresh parsley (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Fill a large saucepan with water, add salt, and bring to a rolling boil. Stir in orzo and cook until al dente following package directions. Reserve about 3.4 fluid ounces pasta water before draining.
02 - While the orzo cooks, thoroughly whisk eggs, Parmesan, heavy cream (if using), and black pepper together in a mixing bowl until smooth.
03 - Heat a large skillet over medium. Add the diced pancetta and cook until golden and crisp, 5-6 minutes. If necessary, drizzle in olive oil to prevent sticking.
04 - Reduce skillet heat to low. Add drained orzo to the skillet, tossing with the pancetta until evenly coated.
05 - Remove skillet from the stovetop. Quickly pour in the egg-Parmesan mixture and stir constantly, allowing the sauce to emulsify without scrambling. Incorporate reserved pasta water as needed for a creamy consistency.
06 - Taste and refine with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper if needed.
07 - Serve immediately, topping portions with extra Parmesan and a sprinkle of chopped parsley if desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Uses simple grocery staples you probably already have
  • Easy enough for a busy weeknight but tastes special
  • Silky sauce clings to every bite of chewy orzo for ultimate comfort
  • Flexible for different diets with meatless options
02 -
  • High in protein and satisfying for all ages
  • Delivers classic carbonara flavor with less stress and no splattering sauce
  • Easily adaptable for vegetarians or different cheeses
03 -
  • Make sure to take your skillet off the heat before adding the egg mixture so the sauce becomes creamy and never curdled
  • Always reserve more pasta water than you think you will need it is your best friend for thinning and glossing the sauce
  • Stir constantly when combining egg mixture to keep the sauce silky

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