Creamy, vibrant, and perfect for spring, our Walnut Pesto Carbonara uses fresh and classic ingredients in this easy and super-indulgent version.
If you've never had carbonara before you're missing out. Made creamy with egg yolks and tossed with hot pasta and a bit of bacon fat, carbonara prides itself on simple, quality ingredients that when combined make for a flavourful and soulful dish.
The inclusion of walnut pesto enhances the aromatics and balances the freshness of basil with the wild eggs and pancetta making this walnut pesto carbonara an easy and super indulgent weekday dinner treat.
How to Make Walnut Pesto Carbonara
Make the Pesto
In a small food processor or blender, pulse the walnuts and chopped garlic together 3-4 times until combined. Add the basil and pulse again. Finally, add the lemon juice and Parmigiano and pulse once more then scrape it into a bowl.
Stir in the olive oil, then season with the salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as preferred.
Boil Water for the Spaghetti
Get a large pot of water and salt it heavily. If you taste the water, it should taste like the sea. Bring the water to a boil and toss in the pasta. Cook until it's tender but still a little firm to the bite. This is what Italian's call al dente.
How to Cook the Pancetta
Place cubed pancetta in a large skillet with a clove of garlic and cook on medium heat. Start with a cold pan so that the fat renders out slowly, resulting in a tender chew. Cook the meat until it is browned but not crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove and discard the garlic, then add the black pepper.
Prepare the Eggs to Make Carbonara
While the pork is cooking, get a small bowl, crack the eggs into it, add a handful of grated Parmigiano Reggiano and half the pesto. Whisk until well combined.
Add the Spaghetti
Once the pork is cooked, reserve about a half cup of the pasta water, drain the spaghetti and toss into the skillet with the pancetta. Stir the spaghetti until it begins to soak up the pancetta fat then add a good splash of the pasta water.
Creating the Pesto Carbonara Sauce
While stirring and tossing the pasta, pour in the eggs. Keep tossing, and incorporating the eggs into the water until it forms a creamy and glossy sauce around the spaghetti. You can add a couple more splashes of water as necessary. Serve with an additional sprinkling of pecorino and a few twists of black pepper.
Recipe Card
Walnut Pesto Carbonara
Ingredients
- ¼ cup walnuts
- 2 cloves garlic 1 chopped and one whole
- 1 cup fresh basil
- ½ small lemon juiced
- 1 cup parmigiana reggiano grated, divided
- ¼ cup olive oil + 1 tbsp
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ½ lb pasta
- 3 large egg yolks
- ¼ lb pancetta cubed
Instructions
- Start a large pot of heavily salted water to boil.
- In a small food processor or blender, pulse the walnuts and chopped garlic together 3-4 times until combined. Add the basil and pulse again. Finally, add the lemon juice and ¼ cup parmesan and pulse once more then scrape it into a bowl. Stir in the ¼ cup olive oil then season with the salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as preferred.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks and ½ cup parmesan. Add half the pesto, stir and set aside.
- At this point you can add your pasta to the water and cook it until it is al dente.
- Meanwhile, place cubed pancetta in a large skillet with a clove of garlic and cook on medium heat. Cook the meat until it is browned but not crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove and discard the garlic, then add the black pepper.
- Reserve about a half cup of the pasta water. Drain the pasta and add to the pancetta. Pour in half of the reserved pasta water and toss to coat the pasta. Add the egg pesto sauce and toss the pasta. Add a bit more water if needed. Season with fresh ground pepper.
- Serve with an additional sprinkling of parmesan, and a splash of additional pesto.
Stephanie says
I love the video. The walnuts were such a good combination with the basil and cheese. I use this on everything.
Chef Sous Chef says
Thanks Stephanie! The video was fun to make. Stay tuned for more!