OLD BAY® Shrimp Carbonara
This Old Bay Shrimp Carbonara is a Chesapeake-inspired twist on the classic Italian pasta dish. Featuring crispy bacon, succulent shrimp seasoned with Old Bay, and a creamy egg-based sauce, it’s a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for any occasion.
- Handy OLD BAY® Breaded Shrimp
- 8 ounces (225 grams) spaghetti or fettuccine
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 slices bacon, chopped (OPTIONAL)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and black pepper to taste
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Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti or fettuccine and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
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Prepare the shrimp: Cook the Handy Old Bay Breaded Shrimp according to the package directions. Once cooked, set aside.
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Prepare the egg mixture: In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, grated Parmesan, and Pecorino Romano cheeses until well combined. Set aside.
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Cook the bacon: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and set aside, leaving the bacon fat in the pan.
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Sauté the garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the bacon fat and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
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Combine pasta and bacon: Add the cooked pasta and crispy bacon to the skillet, tossing to combine and heat through.
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Prepare the carbonara sauce: Remove the skillet from heat. Quickly pour the egg and cheese mixture over the pasta, tossing vigorously to create a creamy sauce. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time until the desired sauce consistency is achieved.
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Add shrimp and garnish: Gently fold in the cooked Old Bay shrimp and chopped parsley. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
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Serve: Divide the carbonara among serving plates and garnish with additional parsley and grated cheese, if desired. Serve immediately.