Orzotto Alla Carbonara Recipe (2024)

By Eric Kim

Published Nov. 3, 2023

Orzotto Alla Carbonara Recipe (1)

Total Time
35 minutes
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
30 minutes
Rating
4(958)
Notes
Read community notes

This carbonara swaps out spaghetti for smooth, velvety orzo. It’s up to you how much you want to treat this eggy, peppery comfort like pasta or like risotto, where orzo is used like rice (minus all that stirring). For more of a risotto flavor, you could cook a finely diced shallot, maybe even some celery or celery seed, in the guanciale fat before adding the orzo, then add a splash of white wine. This creamy pantry dish is best eaten right off the heat, but it is odd how, even straight out of the fridge, it still stays glossy somehow, like a dreamy pasta salad.

Featured in: A Fast, Foolproof Carbonara for Orzo Lovers

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Ingredients

Yield:2 to 4 servings

  • ounces guanciale, pancetta or thick-cut bacon, cut into small dice (⅔ cup)
  • cups/about 9 ounces dry orzo
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 3cups low-sodium chicken broth, plus more as needed
  • 6tablespoons finely grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan, plus more for serving
  • 1large egg plus 2 egg yolks

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

429 calories; 15 grams fat; 6 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 6 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 51 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 2 grams sugars; 21 grams protein; 686 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Orzotto Alla Carbonara Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Add the guanciale to a large, high-sided skillet and set over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until deeply browned and crispy all over, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the guanciale to a small dish. Drain off all but 2 tablespoons of the fat from the skillet; reserve the extra fat for another use.

  2. Step

    2

    Stir the orzo into the fat in the skillet until coated, then season with salt and pepper. Stir constantly for just a few seconds, then add the chicken broth, raise the heat to high and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally so the orzo doesn’t stick to the bottom of the skillet, until the orzo is tender and loose like risotto, adding more broth as needed, 7 to 9 minutes. At this point, the pasta should have absorbed most of the liquid.

  3. Step

    3

    Take the skillet off the heat and vigorously stir in 4 tablespoons of the pecorino. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and yolks. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons pecorino and ¼ cup of the orzo to temper the eggs and prevent them from scrambling when added to the skillet. Stir this mixture into the hot orzo, then immediately shake the skillet with one hand and stir with the other until the orzo is creamy and thick, about 1 minute.

  4. Step

    4

    Taste and add salt as desired. Divide among plates and sprinkle with more pecorino, black pepper and the reserved guanciale.

Ratings

4

out of 5

958

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Christine VB

This was very good! It was also very easy. Three cups of broth was the right amount and the orzo came out perfectly al dente. No added salt since I didn’t use low-sodium broth. Three strips of thick bacon, and parmesan instead of the pecorino. Lots of pepper. Will definitely make it again.

Stella Luna

I liked this article even more than the recipe. Barley, shallots, celery, celery seed, white wine, got me thinking about olives, torn spinach, sliced mushrooms, chopped arugula — all because of that creamy carbonara taste and feel. Could skip the meat and use a little oil. I like NYT recipes, but I also really enjoy it when a food writer explores a recipe with their readers.

Karolyn Schalk

For those living in the Midwest, away from a major metro-area, and wanting to use guanciale you can get it mail-ordered from Indianapolis based Smoking Goose, and man is it good (try their nduja too)

Eileen G.

This was quick, yummy, and satisfying on a cool fall evening. I would say it's for 2 people. We are not huge eaters and we finished this...no problem! I sub'd bacon and parmesan because it's what I had on hand. Be careful and don't add salt til after you've tasted. The salty cheese is really enough.

Al Borden

Should the bacon be crispy or crisp?

Holmestead

Very rich, we added lots of pepper for some zip. Flavors are spot on, thanks Eric!

equilibrist

I suppose you could try impossible or beyond sausage, but you might also have luck with smoked paprika for a little flavor enhancement? Or if you prefer to add an extra ingredient, which not kale or another hardy green. The carbonara police are already angry, might as well send them over the top.

Edith

We don't cured meats. For years I've been getting a similar effect by using butter and sun dried tomatoes chopped fine (to vaganize I add in some of their oil, too). Melt some miso in some of the hot liquid and add during the cooking, to replace the umami flavor from the bacon.

equilibrist

I think this would also be good with pearl couscous, which I much prefer to orzo.

Deborah VC

Salk the orzo is cooked together and the 1/4 cup is removed to temper the eggs.

Melissa

This was wonderful. Simple. Quick. DELICIOUS. Used pancetta (I had some in the freezer: SCORE!) and this came together in a snap. We loved it and this one will be in regular rotation in this house. Big love to Eric Kim for being the undisputed KING of comfort foods.

stephani

I have made this recipe twice, once as written and once with swaps. The recipe turned out wonderfully both times, comforting and delicious. The second time I added a bit more broth to keep it soupier and sautéed a shallot and mushrooms to add. I will be making this again!

Aleksandra

Start with 2 cups of stock and be prepared to add more, rather than 3 and it coming out too watery. Comforting, rich—much better my second time when I added a cup and a half or so of frozen peas, and loooooots more pepper than I thought I needed!

Cat

I add frozen peas for a one pot meal. Love this as both a quick weeknight crowd-pleaser and a cozy weekend couch dinner. Easy clean up too!

SSG

The recipe also works well with ditalini pasta if you can't find orzo

Sarah M

easy to make! i had some carrot that i needed to use so I diced that and added it with onion to to guanciale before the orzo. Came out great!

Aleksandra

Start with 2 cups of stock and be prepared to add more, rather than 3 and it coming out too watery. Comforting, rich—much better my second time when I added a cup and a half or so of frozen peas, and loooooots more pepper than I thought I needed!

Magda M

I cooked the orzo in 3 cups water +1 envelope Lipton onion soup mix instead of chicken broth, and let me tell you, it was DELICIOUS.

Ally

We followed Eric Kim's suggestion for adding a diced shallot and a splash of white wine to deglaze but otherwise followed the recipe. It was very good but only made enough for three people as a small to moderately-sized portion. Next time we will make it as a first rather than main course.

Rainey

This was as close to perfection as anything I've cooked in 50-some years. It was fast. It was easy. It was made from ingredients I keep on hand. And it was delicious and comforting.I used pancetta and Parm. I mashed a clove of roasted garlic into the chicken broth. I used lightly smoked salt to season. I also used eggs fresh from my chickens and they'd be proud of the gorgeous sunny yellow sauce they made.

Elise

Less chicken stock, less time cooking for more al dente pasta.

Katherine

Eric Kim - Thank you!! We love this and eat it far too often since the days are cold and sometimes dreary. The recipe is perfect - the only change is I use 8oz of orzo instead of 9 so I have half a box to make it again soon.

Gonz the Magnificent

I wasn't going to say anything because my criticisms are very personal, but you kind of opened the door yourself by insinuating that leftovers seem to be okay with this dish.I am OCD enough to whine about the 9 ounces of orzo. Couldn't you just have made the recipe for a full pound? I hate having partial boxes of anything sitting in my pantry for any amount of time and now I have to wait for a recipe that requires 7 ounces of pasta. (I told you it was a very personal kvetch!)

Cindy

This recipe is on repeat in our house. It's an easy, one-pot meal that everyone enjoys.

Jeanne

So so good! I added some whole cherry tomatoes at the end. Delicious

RH

Loved this version of carbonara. I added shredded zucchini for the last 2 minutes of cooking for a little vegetable presence. Served with a kale salad.

coco’neil

This was excellent! Followed the recipe exactly. Felt like it served 2 (would have been a stretch for 4). Looking forward to making again!

stephani

I have made this recipe twice, once as written and once with swaps. The recipe turned out wonderfully both times, comforting and delicious. The second time I added a bit more broth to keep it soupier and sautéed a shallot and mushrooms to add. I will be making this again!

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Orzotto Alla Carbonara Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Which ingredient should never be used in traditional carbonara? ›

What not to put in Spaghetti Carbonara? Don't put garlic, cream, milk or butter. It is not needed. It is fine if you want to make a dish with those ingredients, but if you want to learn how to make this dish correctly, use only pecorino, eggs/egg yolks, black pepper, guanciale, and pasta water.

What is the trick about carbonara sauce? ›

Whisk Like You Mean It

You're using more egg yolks than whites here, which is what makes carbonara so rich and luxurious. But there's still two eggs-worth of whites in there. Whisking your eggs so that the whites are completely incorporated into the yolks will give your sauce a more uniform texture.

What is pasta alla carbonara made of? ›

The ingredients are simple—just spaghetti (or another long pasta), and the carbonara is made with pancetta or bacon, eggs, Parmesan, a little olive oil, salt and pepper. The silky carbonara sauce is created when the beaten eggs are tossed with the hot pasta and a little fat from the pancetta or bacon.

What's the difference between carbonara and Italian carbonara? ›

The Italian version doesn't use cream or ham. It is made with pancetta (pork belly meat that is salt cured, also referred to as Italian bacon), Parmigiano Reggiano or pecorino romano cheese, eggs, and black pepper—called the basics. The pork is fried in fat, usually olive oil.

What is the golden rule of cooking a carbonara? ›

The golden rule to silky carbonara is to whisk your egg whites so that they're completely incorporated with the egg yolks.

What are the biggest carbonara mistakes? ›

Pouring the egg on the pasta with the flame on under the pan is one of the most terrible mistakes you can make while preparing this dish. Once you've drained the spaghetti or mezze maniche, pour it into the pan and saute over high heat with the guanciale and its remaining fat.

Is it better to make carbonara with egg yolks or whole eggs? ›

Why It Works. A sauce of mostly yolks has a richer, silkier, tighter texture than one made with only whole eggs.

How to stop carbonara from scrambling? ›

To avoid the dreaded scramble, the goal is to not let your eggs get too hot too quickly. Rather than add your eggs straight into your carbonara pan, crack them into a different bowl with the Pecorino. From there, you have a few options for how to combine the mixture with your pasta.

Do you put raw egg in carbonara? ›

The sauce is made with raw egg yolks and is cooked by using only the heat from the cooked pasta. Some people have concerns about the safety of this dish due to the possibility of egg yolks be contaminated with salmonella. In fact, the hot cooked pasta does fully cook the egg. I hope that this answers your question.

Which cheese is best for carbonara? ›

Pecorino Romano: This aged sheep's cheese is always traditionally used in the Roman pastas, and its salty, grassy, earthy flavor is absolutely delicious in carbonara. That said, if Pecorino is unavailable at your local grocery store, you can use Parmesan as a non-traditional substitute.

Can I use mozzarella instead of Parmesan for carbonara? ›

My Parmesan cheese clumped up so I would recommend using mozzarella instead and topping/sprinkling with Parmesan instead. I give credit for how easy this is - and it makes a lot, so will feed a family! But flavor was only so-so good for me. I'm glad I tried!

What is a substitute for pecorino cheese in carbonara? ›

What can I use instead of Pecorino Romano in carbonara? Parmesan cheese is a good substitute, ideally Parmigiano Reggiano or Grana Padano.

Does Italians use cream in carbonara? ›

Blown. Taste.com.au Food Director, Amira Georgy, confirmed this, saying: “Traditionally, carbonara sauce contains no cream, just eggs and cheese. The eggs and cheese are added to the hot pasta and tossed together until a silky sauce forms.”

Is carbonara just alfredo sauce? ›

The difference between alfredo and carbonara is that carbonara contains an egg while alfredo sauce does not. Carbonara is usually thinner in consistency than alfredo sauce, using the egg to coat the noodles instead of relying on the cream.

What is the best meat for carbonara? ›

Carbonara is traditionally made with guanciale, or cured pork jowl, though pancetta is often substituted, and both are fatty, salty and deeply savoury.

What are the ingredients in traditional Italian carbonara? ›

Carbonara is made with guanciale (cured pork), eggs, Pecorino Romano cheese, spaghetti pasta, and lots of black pepper. Italians don't add extra ingredients like cream, milk, garlic, or onions. Try this recipe if you want to make an authentic, creamy carbonara that comes straight from Italy, where I live.

Why shouldn't you put cream in carbonara? ›

No cream needed. In his Vice article on carbonara, chef Mitch Orr captures the beauty of this delectable dish perfectly: "The secret is balance and richness. Rich egg yolk; umami-laden cheese; salty, porky fattiness; the cutting heat of freshly-cracked pepper; and perfectly al dente pasta.

Does traditional carbonara have garlic? ›

Must-have ingredients

that there are only five ingredients: pasta, pork cheek, eggs, cheese and pepper. That's it. A real carbonara does not contain onion, garlic, or cream.

Is carbonara made with pancetta or guanciale? ›

It's made with spaghetti, eggs, cheese, and cured pork. But let me tell you, the key to a true carbonara is the use of guanciale, not pancetta. You see, guanciale is made from the jowl of the pig, which is a less lean cut of meat compared to the belly.

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