Carbonara is a unique Italian American delicacy. Believed to have originated in the 1940s as a result of American soldiers bringing their rations of eggs and bacon to local Roman restaurants, the silky pasta dish has become immensely popular stateside. So much so that we now celebrate its creamy goodness every April 6th on National Carbonara Day.
But what if there was a way to marry its traditional decadence with a sweet, contemporary hack? Enter Carandini Italian Cheese Dressing. Combining sweet white vinegar and Parmigiano Reggiano PDO, the innovative product offers a two-for-one punch of flavor to salad and pasta dishes alike. A simple pour into a Pasta alla Carbonara lends a subtle sweetness that brightens up the otherwise rich sauce, with an added tanginess of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.
Recently released in Whole Foods Market nationwide and online via Amazon, home cooks across the country can enjoy a true taste of Italy in their kitchen with Carandini’s Italian Cheese Dressing as they celebrate Carbonara Day.
Silky Carbonara with Carandini Italian Cheese Dressing
4 oz. pancetta
3 Tbsp. kosher salt
1 lb. spaghetti
2 egg yolks
½ cup Parmigiano Reggiano
¼ cup Carandini Italian Cheese Dressing with Sweet White Vinegar & Parmigiano Reggiano
Freshly ground black pepper
Cook and stir pancetta (or guanciale if you can find it!) in a skillet for 5 minutes, but do not brown to a crisp. Transfer to a large bowl and cool. Cook spaghetti in a large pot of boiling, salted water for 10 minutes. Drain and reserve ½ cup pasta water, transferring spaghetti to a Dutch oven or skillet.
Whisk egg yolks in a bowl. Stir in Parmigiano Reggiano. Slowly add pasta water in stages, stirring constantly. Add Carandini Italian Cheese dressing, and stir until sauce thickens. Gradually stream the mixture into the spaghetti, stirring constantly. Season with kosher salt and black pepper. Add pancetta and serve.
