pasta

sausage carbonara

servings
4

method

This is like having a breakfast dish of pasta and it is absolutely delicious! If you are a fan of sausages and eggs you’ll love this combination. Not only does it look impressive but it’s so quick to make. There’s a subtle line between having a smooth, silky egg sauce and scrambled eggs – both will taste delicious but smooth and silky is far more desirable.

With a sharp knife, slit the sausage skins lengthways and pop all the meat out. Using wet hands, roll little balls of sausagemeat about the size of large marbles and place them to one side.

Heat a large frying pan and add a good splash of olive oil. Gently fry the sausage meatballs until golden brown all over, then add the pancetta and continue cooking for a couple of minutes, until it’s golden. While this is cooking, bring a pan of salted water to the boil, add the linguine, and cook according to the packet instructions.

In a large bowl, whip up the egg yolks, cream, half the Parmesan, the lemon zest and parsley. When the pasta is cooked, drain it in a colander, reserving a little of the cooking water, and immediately toss it quickly with the egg mixture back in the pasta pan. Add the hot sausage meatballs and toss everything together. The egg will cook delicately from the heat of the linguine, just enough for it to thicken and not scramble. The sauce should be smooth and silky. If the pasta becomes a little claggy, add a few spoonfuls of the reserved cooking water to loosen it slightly. Sprinkle over the rest of the Parmesan, season if necessary, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and serve. Eat immediately!

• from Jamie's Italy

ingredients

• 4 good-quality organic Italian sausages
• olive oil
• 4 slices of thickly cut pancetta, chopped
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 500g dried linguine
• 4 large free-range or organic egg yolks
• 100ml double cream
• 100g freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• zest of 1 lemon
• a sprig of fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• extra virgin olive oil

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tried this recipe or a similar one? share your tips...

1. by susana on Thu 19 Jan 2012 @ 06:16

I try today

2. by sandu on Tue 03 Jan 2012 @ 15:27

how long does it take to cook this dish?

3. by sophia on Fri 19 Aug 2011 @ 12:12

HIII HANDSOME JAMIE :) this plate was delicious<br />

4. by Ana on Wed 03 Aug 2011 @ 22:54

Hey, Ruggero! I'm Brazilian but that's the way I prepare my carbonara - your way! No cream, just eggs, panceta, cheese... and its fantastic! :)

5. by Anderson on Fri 24 Jun 2011 @ 04:13

Hello, I'm from Brazil. I really like your recipes and I can always watch your program with GNT Channel. I would like to give an opinion. Place a portuges version so that more people here in Brazil could access your site. Your site? Is also very good, but read the recipes in English is a little tricky. Thank you for your attention. Hugs from Brazil.

6. by alyshia on Thu 21 Apr 2011 @ 07:14

One of my favorite recipes! so yummy . i use a little bit more pancetta, and a little more lemon zest

7. by Ruggero on Sun 17 Apr 2011 @ 16:49

Guys, I'm Italian and I just wanted to say: there's no cream in a carbonara! The sauce is made with one egg per person (some people use more yolks), pecorino or parmisan and guanciale or pancetta (they're similar, but guanciale is the classic Roman thing). That's it!

8. by meghan! on Tue 13 Oct 2009 @ 02:06

brett-you have a lucky girlfriend! the only things my fiancee will make is steak frites!! and yeah he insists on calling that so we all think he's cultured.
but i do love this sausage carbonara. the lemon really helps to lift the heaviness of the cream and eggs. i'm debating about making this or heating up leftovers for dinner. its nine pm...

9. by Erin on Tue 21 Jul 2009 @ 02:52

love this recipe... both my partner and I can make it together and it's out anniversary tradition to make it now.. Beautiful.. Thanks Jamie xoxo

10. by brettgilbert77 on Thu 16 Jul 2009 @ 21:08

My girlfriend is a massive fan of pasta, personally I find many preparations for it a little dull. I did find this recipe, in particular, enables us to both enjoy the meal.
I do all the cooking and was pleasantly surprised when Katie and her father offered to cook for me (I believe that's the only time in 6 years). Given that both could burn water I was impressed with the results. The only downside was the time it took to appear from the kitchen, but this was simply down to them being in-experienced cooks than the recipe.
I have now taken to cooking this myself as a ready standby for a fast dinner when I have little time, or when I have awkward dinner guest who aren't interested in the Satay Squirel or Moules Frites I had originally planned.
It also seems to work well to use up a couples leftovers, I always seem to have 4 sausages, some bacon and eggs left from the weekends breakfasts, parsley in the garden and half a lemon (due to the G&T's) taking up room in the fridge.
I'd recomend this to anyone, competent chef or beginner alike.

11. by Chumley on Sat 23 May 2009 @ 21:07

Made this for the wife tonight and we both liked it, will be making it again for sure trying different type sausages. Spot on.

12. by Nikki on Wed 15 Apr 2009 @ 14:28

One of the first dishes I ever made!
Could certainly taste the freshness of the lemon!
I think it was a hit with the family, I was planning to take a little of the leftover to work the next day only to wake up and find someone had midnight munchies and polished it off!

Thanks Jamie for a gentle ease into cooking!

13. by tcnarss on Wed 01 Apr 2009 @ 13:12

very very good, followed the recipe to the letter and its delicious, almost made it again the next day for breakfast!

14. by gemma on Thu 18 Dec 2008 @ 10:35

I'm making this for dinner tonight - can't wait! Fans of this should also try Jamie's Bloke's Sausage Fusilli - it's an interesting take on the recipe.

15. by Micòl on Sat 22 Nov 2008 @ 17:02

I'm Italian and I find your version of this traditional recipe absolutely gorgeus!!!

16. by Jimmypop on Tue 24 Jun 2008 @ 15:01

Cracking recipie...Used Sausages infused with basil, sun-dried tomatoes and pecorino...beautiful!!

17. by Rachel H on Sat 21 Jun 2008 @ 10:36

Brilliant recipie. Made tis a few times for friends now. They love it, never can make enough!!!! Thanks Jamie. Eggy crumpets this morning!!!

18. by Catherine on Mon 09 Jun 2008 @ 01:34

LOVE this recipe. Just adding the lemon makes it so yummy. Now add lemon to all my carbonaras just to give them the same freshness this one has. Thanks Jamie. If you're from UK - the Sainsburys Taste the difference Sicilian Sausages - go yum in this recipe.

19. by chelsea on Mon 02 Jun 2008 @ 12:19

that recipe was bloody lovely
i tryed that and i wanted more because its
just so tasteful and
do you know what i cant explain how great it really is!!
thanx jamie
xx

20. by tahnee halls on Fri 30 May 2008 @ 13:32

thankyou so much i love pasta and my hubby is italian and he loves it so do all 3 of my kids jamie u r gods gift thanx

21. by cyntia on Fri 09 May 2008 @ 09:50

hi jamie..i'm a big fan of your recipes..and my god everything was good...from appetizer,main course down to dessert..your really the best...i've try this..but i have a little concern with my employer s son because he doesn't eat pork..so i rather change the flavor of the sausage with garlic and herb lamb sausage which i think sounds more delicious also....keep up the good work jamie!!

22. by dean on Thu 08 May 2008 @ 20:15

made this dish a while back and absolutly loved it. wicked meal,
nice 1 jamie

23. by Stefy4 on Thu 10 Apr 2008 @ 13:25

Hi Jamie!
First of all, I have to tell you how much I like what you do and the passion you express when you cook. It's just amazing!!
I'm italian, I love cooking and good food (what a stereotypes!).
I haven't try this recipe yet but I just wanted to say that...carbonara doesn't need cream!!
And I'm sure that you know that, but most of the people don't...

24. by eaiu on Wed 09 Apr 2008 @ 22:00

cooked this today. it's absolutely disgusting. don't try it. lemon zest, eggs and cream! just doesn't work. it's just a weird dish.

25. by Janine on Wed 09 Apr 2008 @ 05:58

Yum! This worked out better than I expected. I made only two variations due to circumstances. I used bacon instead of pancetta, and Lamb sauages instead of Italian. The whole family loved it. My hubby even took some with him to work - their were people drooling! Thank you for this one.

26. by Keefe Picklemouth on Thu 27 Mar 2008 @ 21:15

Tried this one for a date! perfect! was yummy ! hehe its staying on the list for future dates hehe cheers matey!

27. by browner on Fri 14 Mar 2008 @ 09:03

i will try this reciipe for my exam that i have got for my food tech

28. by Suzette on Sun 09 Mar 2008 @ 04:31

I found this a bit rich with the eggs, but my husband and son went nuts! I'm making it again, maybe with a little more cream and less egg.

29. by dannii on Wed 27 Feb 2008 @ 18:24

love this recipe so quick and easy to cook for the family for a busy working person cheers xx

30. by Jooles on Thu 21 Feb 2008 @ 17:01

Dont give up tho will you matt, try it agian wiv correct ingrediants, im defently gonna try it.

31. by matt on Thu 07 Feb 2008 @ 10:16

I made this last night for me and my son, waht a balls up, i forgot the pancetta, and didnt have enough cream or any parlsy, my son didnt eat it, needless to say.

32. by matt on Thu 07 Feb 2008 @ 10:15

I made this last night for me and my son, waht a balls up, i forgot the pancetta, and didnt have enough cream or any parlsy, my son didnt eat it, needless to say.

33. by sylvie on Tue 05 Feb 2008 @ 13:06

on pourrait avoir une traduction Française merci d'avance.
je regarde souvent son émission sur le site maintenant c'est jamie au vert.

34. by Isabela on Sun 27 Jan 2008 @ 16:55

THIS RECIPE IS AMAZING!!I love pasta!This dish is an excellent option to a special dinner with the whole family together! Jamie your recipes are fantastic! thanks to share them with us.

35. by lia26 on Sat 19 Jan 2008 @ 09:18

Great and creative recipe, but very to digest. The combination of sausages with cream and eggs is too much. May I suggest a simpler one? Linguini with sausage, onion, and carrots. Simple and delicious as the carrots mingles very well with onions, and when cooking them they become as one.

36. by jocelyn on Mon 07 Jan 2008 @ 17:23

hi jamie.i luv this dish!!! perfect combi. TNX!!!

37. by TRACEY on Mon 07 Jan 2008 @ 12:21

this is delicious, espech for those who love fry ups, its like a healthy english breakfast!!yum!x

38. by Aoibheann on Sat 29 Dec 2007 @ 00:52

Cooked this the other day for my brother and myself, it was absolutly delish, he who is such a fussy eater loved it, didnt tell him about the egg though! thanks Jamie.

39. by sean robinson on Tue 20 Nov 2007 @ 17:17

hey jamie i love your books espially your italy since i lived there for twelve years i think you should do a show where you teach kids how to cook that would be great keep up the gd work. sean 16

40. by Mr C on Tue 13 Nov 2007 @ 21:14

I have now made this a few times, and it has become a firm fav. It did me a load of favors when I cooked it for a recent 'date' proving that it is not just guys that love this dish! Nice one Jamie!

41. by AJ on Tue 13 Nov 2007 @ 16:22

I really dont think creme fraiche would work the same :)

I made this it turned out brilliantly- i made it using chili and corriander sausages- and it tasted delicious- now all i need to do is make it for my nonna and see what she thinks :)

42. by Jenny on Sun 07 Oct 2007 @ 15:04

would love to try it but don't like cream. Could I use creme fraiche?

43. by Kerry on Mon 24 Sep 2007 @ 10:18

the boyfriend loved this one, it was months ago when made this & it was only the other day he was asking me about it trying to remember what it was - think he was hinting for me to do again! Anyone tried any variations of this of their own?

44. by Helen on Fri 14 Sep 2007 @ 13:27

Whats wrong with putting cream in carbonara?

45. by pauline on Tue 04 Sep 2007 @ 15:56

This looks delicious but i can't and won't understand why everyone has to put cream in their carbonara

46. by Ciara on Mon 20 Aug 2007 @ 20:31

Thank you Jamie!! : ) My kitchen smells delicious & this tastes absolutley scrumptious!! Cant beleive I cooked it!!
Cant wait to cook this dish for friends & family....

47. by Joan Terris on Tue 31 Jul 2007 @ 21:30

This has become a family favorite - my husband requests it frequently as a special supper!

48. by Emilie & Clara. on Tue 31 Jul 2007 @ 17:41

too*

49. by Emilie & Clara. on Tue 31 Jul 2007 @ 17:40

We will try this now to.. But we are not men.. But we like men, cause we are 14. :D Jamie we love you.. Bye bye.. :D

50. by Antonio on Tue 10 Jul 2007 @ 18:03

i ll try this now... i m a man ...

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