tagliatelle carbonara with crispy spinach balls

Pasta Carbonara with Spinach Balls Recipe

Name: Pasta Carbonara with Spinach Balls
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: italian
Ingredients: 90 grams bacon (smoked); black pepper (to taste); 1 slices brown bread; 2 whole egg; 1 cloves garlic; 1 stick garlic bread; 0.25 tsp ground nutmeg; 0.5 tbsp olive oil; 65 grams parmesan or pecorino cheese; salt (to taste); 75 ml single cream; 250 grams Spinach; 1 . sunflower oils (for frying); 150 grams tagliatelle

30 Minutes

Serves: 2

A delicious bacon tagliatelle carbonara with cream and parmesan, pasta ribbons coated in a creamy egg, parmesan and cream sauce served with tasty Carluccio's spinach balls flavoured with garlic, parmesan and nutmeg.

Recipe Ingreds

Balls

black pepper (to taste)
1 whole egg
1 cloves garlic
0.25 tsp ground nutmeg
25 grams parmesan or pecorino cheese
salt (to taste)
1 slices brown bread
250 grams Spinach
1 . sunflower oils (for frying)

Pasta

black pepper (to taste)
1 whole egg
0.5 tbsp olive oil
40 grams parmesan or pecorino cheese
salt (to taste)
75 ml single cream
150 grams tagliatelle
90 grams bacon (smoked)

Bread

1 stick garlic bread

Recipe with pictures Steps

How to make tagliatelle carbonara with spinach balls

wash the spinach
remove the stalks
wilt the spinach in a pan
cook for a minute or two

Step 2

remove from the heat
squeeze as much liquid as possible from the spinach
chop the spinach finely
add to the bowl
add the nutmeg

Step 3

peel and crush the garlic using the garlic crusher or chop finely
add to the bowl
using a food processor blend the bread into fresh breadcrumbs
add the breadcrumbs to the bowl

Step 4

finely grate the parmesan
add to the bowl
stir to mix the ingredients
season with salt and pepper

Step 5

add the egg(s) to a bowl
beat the egg
add the egg to the spinach and stir
the mixture should be a binding consistency
if the mixture is to wet add additional breadcrumbs

Step 6

set the oven to 220C 425F or gas mark 7

Step 7

half fill a medium pan with water and boil
add a spot of olive oil and a pinch of salt to the boiling water
add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until tender but with a slight bite
while the pasta is cooking

Step 8

roll the spinach mixture into walnut size balls
heat about 2 cms of frying oil in a frying pan
shallow fry till golden brown
place on kitchen paper
keep warm

Step 9

put the garlic bread on the baking tray and place in the oven follow cooking instructions on packaging

Step 10

heat the olive oil in the frying pan
chop the bacon into pieces
add the bacon to the frying pan
cook till crisp and golden brown
set a side

Step 11

finely grate the parmesan
separate the whites and yolks
add the egg yolk, cream and parmesan to the bowl
add the salt and pepper
whip the yolks, cream and parmesan

Step 12

reserve a few tbsps of cooking liquid from the pasta
drain the pasta

Step 13

return the frying pan with the bacon to the heat
add the pasta to the bacon frying pan
add the egg mixture to the frying pan
cook the pasta and sauce till the sauce thickens
if the sauce gets to thick add a touch of the reserved pasta liquid
taste and season with salt and pepper if necessary

Step 14

remove garlic bread from the oven

Step 15

place the pasta in a serving bowl
place the spinach balls on top of the pasta
serve with garlic bread

Recipe Utensils

1 baking tray
1 bowl
2 chopping board
1 food processor
1 Garlic crusher
2 grater
1 jug
1 kitchen paper
1 large bowl
2 large knife
2 large pan
2 non stick frying pan
1 sieve
3 small bowl

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About our carbonara tagliatelle with spinach balls

Indulge in our decadent Tagliatelle Carbonara, where al dente ribbons of tagliatelle are tossed in a rich, velvety sauce made with cream, egg yolk, and finely grated parmesan. Crispy smoked bacon adds a savory depth, balanced by the freshness of golden, walnut-sized spinach balls, delicately seasoned with nutmeg and garlic. Each bite offers a perfect contrast of textures—creamy pasta and crispy, tender spinach balls. Served with a side of warm, toasty garlic bread, this dish is a comforting twist on a classic carbonara, featuring the unmistakable flavor of smoked bacon pasta.

How and when to eat our smoked bacon tagliatelle carbonara

This delicious recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, offering a comforting and indulgent meal that’s both easy to prepare and packed with flavour. With crispy spinach balls, creamy tagliatelle, and crispy bacon, it's a naughty treat ideal for those cozy winter evenings when you crave warmth and satisfaction. The rich combination of parmesan, bacon, and garlic bread makes it a comfort food classic. Plus, the entire meal can be prepared in less than an hour, or if you omit the spinach balls less than 30 minutes making it an excellent go-to dish for busy evenings

Who will love this recipe

This recipe is perfect for indulgent food lovers who aren't worried about counting calories. Busy mums and dads will appreciate how quick and simple it is to prepare, while kids will be drawn to its creamy, cheesy goodness. The combination of crispy bacon, rich parmesan sauce, and golden spinach balls creates a comforting dish that feels like a treat after a long day. Ideal for those who want a hearty meal without spending hours in the kitchen, this recipe also offers the bonus of garlic bread on the side—making it a guaranteed family favorite!

Ingredients for our Creamy Tagliatelle Carbonara

Pasta - We use tagliatelle for this dish as the ribbons are perfectly with the creamy carbonara sauce, but you could use spaghetti or even penne pasta

Bacon - Smoked bacon is ideal but you can use unsmoked or pancetta it is important to cut the bacon or pancetta and to cook it till it is crisp so it contrasts to the creamy pasta

Cream - Single creaming or whipping cream is perfect for this dish, double cream is to thick and will make the dish to rich

Egg yolk - This adds a richness to the sauce

Cheese - We use parmigiana cheese, finely grated so it melts into the sauce, you can also use pecorino cheese

Sides to go with Creamy Carbonara Tagliatelle

This pasta is a meal on its own and doesn't require sides but you can serve it with

Garlic bread
continental bread rolls
Spinach balls
fresh green salad
fresh tomato salad

What makes our smoked bacon pasta in a creamy carbonara sauce the best

Our Carbonara stands out because it honors tradition while adding a unique twist that sets it apart. Instead of the classic spaghetti, we serve it with tagliatelle, which captures the rich, creamy sauce perfectly. The star of the dish is the addition of Carluccio's spinach balls—crispy on the outside and packed with flavour, thanks to the fresh spinach, parmesan, nutmeg, and garlic. This addition not only enhances the dish but brings a delightful texture contrast.

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35 Minutes