Description
This Creamy Avocado Carbonara with Smoked Beef is a delicious twist on the classic Italian pasta. It features a smooth avocado-based sauce combined with tender smoked beef strips and traditional carbonara elements like eggs and Parmesan cheese. Ready in just 30 minutes, this rich yet fresh dish offers a perfect balance of creamy texture and smoky flavors, making it an easy and satisfying meal for four.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz spaghetti or fettuccine
Avocado Sauce
- 2 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Protein and Eggs
- 1 cup smoked beef strips, chopped
- 2 large eggs
Others
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Extra grated Parmesan (for serving)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Prepare Avocado Sauce: In a food processor, blend the avocados, garlic, lemon juice, grated Parmesan, olive oil, salt, and black pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Sauté Smoked Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté the smoked beef strips for 2–3 minutes until heated through and slightly crisp. Remove the skillet from heat.
- Beat Eggs: Whisk the eggs in a small bowl until smooth and well combined.
- Combine Pasta and Beef: Add the hot drained pasta to the skillet with the smoked beef (with heat off). Stir in the prepared avocado sauce and toss thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly.
- Add Eggs and Pasta Water: Immediately pour in the beaten eggs and a splash of the reserved pasta water, tossing continuously to create a silky sauce without scrambling the eggs.
- Adjust Sauce Consistency: Add more reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, if needed, to loosen and smooth out the sauce to your desired consistency.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the pasta with chopped fresh parsley and extra grated Parmesan cheese before serving hot.
Notes
- Be sure to reserve some pasta water as its starchiness helps create a creamy sauce consistency.
- When adding the beaten eggs to the pasta, keep the heat off to prevent the eggs from scrambling.
- You can substitute smoked beef strips with pancetta or bacon for a different flavor profile.
- Use ripe but firm avocados for a smooth, creamy sauce texture without bitterness.
- This dish is best served immediately for optimal creaminess and flavor.
