Description
This Halloumi Carbonara is a creamy, comforting twist on the Italian classic. Instead of bacon or pancetta, crispy golden halloumi brings a Mediterranean touch and bold, salty flavor. It’s rich, satisfying, and ready in under 30 minutes — the perfect vegetarian comfort food for any night of the week.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz spaghetti or linguine (or your favorite pasta)
- 7 oz halloumi cheese, cut into small cubes
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Optional: a splash of cream or a pinch of chili flakes for variation
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Crisp the Halloumi: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add halloumi cubes and cook for 2–3 minutes on each side until golden and crispy. Remove and set aside.
- Make the Sauce Base: In the same pan, reduce heat to low and sauté garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it.
- Whisk the Eggs and Cheese: In a bowl, whisk together eggs and Parmesan until creamy and smooth.
- Combine: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with garlic (off the heat). Quickly pour in the egg mixture, tossing to coat the pasta. Add a few tablespoons of reserved pasta water at a time to create a silky sauce.
- Add Halloumi: Fold in the crispy halloumi cubes. Season generously with black pepper and a touch of salt if needed.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan. Serve immediately while warm and creamy.
Notes
Avoid overheating the egg mixture — it should thicken into a creamy sauce, not scramble. Use a high-quality halloumi for the best golden crust and flavor. For a fresh twist, add lemon zest or sautéed spinach before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Mediterranean Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 155mg