Three Step Pasta alla Carbonara with Parmigiano Reggiano cheese - Parmigiano Reggiano USA (2024)

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Three Step Pasta alla Carbonara with Parmigiano Reggiano® cheese

One of Italy’s most beloved dishes, Pasta alla Carbonara is a rich and decadent dish made with egg yolks, hard seasoned cheese, guanciale (gwaan·chaa·lei) and black pepper. Guanciale is an Italian cured meat product prepared from pork jowl or cheeks – whose name is derived from ‘guancia’, the Italian word for ‘cheek’.

Many traditional carbonara recipes call for Pecorino Romano cheese, but Parmigiano Reggiano is also often used, as well as a combination of the two.

The origin of the dish is a source of much debate, and you can read a little about the various origin stories in an article our blog.

Here we present Chef Michele Casadei Massari’s special version, which can be made quickly in three simple steps, and uses only Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, because according to Chef Michele, “it’s the most soluble hard cheese ever; hence an amazing fit for this recipe”. He also prefers to make it with duck eggs because they add a bit of extra flavor and color to the dish.

Ingredients:

6 egg yolks
5 oz guanciale, cut into ½ inch pieces (bacon can work as well if you can’t find guanciale)
1lb spaghetti
½ cup Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (see HINT )
Fresh ground black pepper

Hint:

Chef Michele’s suggests using duck eggs for a bit more flavor and color.

We suggest Parmigiano Reggiano cheese aged 24 months. Cheese that has been aged longer won’t melt as nicely.

Three Step Pasta alla Carbonara with Parmigiano Reggiano cheese - Parmigiano Reggiano USA (2024)

FAQs

Is Parmigiano Reggiano the same as Parmesan? ›

For a cheese to be classified as Parmigiano-Reggiano, it must come from particular regions of Italy and contain only certain approved ingredients. Parmigiano-Reggiano is also aged at least one year and up to three years. Parmesan, on the other hand, is not regulated, and may be aged as little as 10 months.

What is a substitute for Parmigiano Reggiano in carbonara? ›

Economical note: Substitute guanciale with bacon and use parmesan instead of parmigiana reggiano. You'll still capture the essence of real carbonara that will make Italians proud! Guanciale – This is a key ingredient in carbonara, and is a cured fatty pork that is similar to bacon and pancetta.

What are the three ingredients in Parmigiano Reggiano? ›

What are the Parmigiano Reggiano ingredients? Parmigiano Reggiano is made of milk, salt and rennet only, with no additives and no preservatives.

What is Parmigiano Reggiano cheese in English? ›

Parmesan (Italian: Parmigiano Reggiano, Italian: [parmiˈdʒaːno redˈdʒaːno]) is an Italian hard, granular cheese produced from cow's milk and aged at least 12 months or, outside the European Union, a locally produced imitation.

Can I replace Parmesan with Parmigiano Reggiano? ›

A sprinkling of grated or shredded Parmigiano Reggiano will usually do the trick. It's known for its rich, slightly salty flavor and its ability to elevate a dish from good to great. Though often used interchangeably in recipes and conversation, parmigiano reggiano is not the same as parmesan cheese.

Can I use mozzarella instead of Parmigiano Reggiano? ›

Mozzarella is notably more soft and much milder than Parmesan, but it does add creaminess to any sauce or risotto since it melts easily. Since it is much milder than parmesan, you might need to add a bit more salt to achieve a similar result.

What is the closest cheese to Parmigiano Reggiano? ›

Grana Padano is a close cousin of Parmigiano-Reggiano made from unpasteurized, part skim milk. One big difference between the two cheeses is that Grana Padano can be made using milk from cows fed silage–grains that have been siloed and slightly fermented to preserve it for winter feeding.

What kind of cheese is good in carbonara? ›

Pecorino Romano and Parmigiano Reggiano – I like to use a combination of Pecorino Romano and Parmigiano Reggiano. While these two cheeses ARE similar, I strongly recommend you use BOTH (and not sub one for the other), as it adds a layer of complexity to the flavors.

Can I use Parmigiano Reggiano instead of Parmesan for Alfredo? ›

Fresh parmesan or Parmigiano-Reggiano are hands down your best options for flavor. Learn more from our complete cheese guide.

Why is Parmigiano Reggiano so expensive? ›

True Parmigiano-Reggiano is also significantly more expensive than other cheeses, and for good reason: The Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium — the governing body behind the PDO — requires all of its cheeses to be produced by hand and use milk from cows that must follow a specific diet, and then be aged for at least 12 ...

Do you have to refrigerate Parmigiano Reggiano? ›

For short periods of time, Parmigiano Reggiano can be kept at room temperature in stores without suffering any damage. Once purchased, it is advisable to store it in the refrigerator to keep all its aromatic characteristics and ensure an optimal preservation of the product.

Can I eat Parmigiano Reggiano? ›

Short answer: NO Did you know that you can eat every part of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese including its rind and what's more.. it has almost NO LACTOSE! 0.01gr of lactose /100g of parmigiano reggiano cheese. This IS GOLD - just like you are 🧀 #parmigianoreggiano #italiancooking #cheese #learnontiktok.

What is the difference between parmesan cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano? ›

If it's labeled Parmigiano Reggiano, it's the real deal from Italy (most commonly 24-month is what makes it to US markets). If it's labeled Parmesan, it's likely from the US.

Is parmesan good for carbonara? ›

Many traditional carbonara recipes call for Pecorino Romano cheese, but Parmigiano Reggiano is also often used, as well as a combination of the two.

Is Parmigiano Reggiano hard or soft cheese? ›

Parmigiano-Reggiano is a hard, dry cheese made from skimmed or partially skimmed cow's milk. It has a hard pale-golden rind and a straw-colored interior with a rich, sharp flavor.

Why is Parmigiano Reggiano so special? ›

NATURAL PROCESSES! the production of Parmigiano Reggiano is one of the most natural in the world of cheeses. No external actions are ever carried out that alter the presence of bacteria in raw milk, nor are additives or preservatives ever added!

Does Parmigiano Reggiano melt? ›

You can chip it for a cheese board, sliver for a salad, grate it on top of soup or pasta and melt it into and on top of endless meals.

Why do Americans call Parmesan Parmigiano? ›

I suspect it comes from Italian immigrants. See, in Italian it's parmaggiano, which is pronounced very similarly to the American parmesan. So I think Americans started to say it the Italian way due to the influence of Italian immigrants, but still spelled it the old British way.

Does Parmigiano Reggiano need to be refrigerated? ›

For short periods of time, Parmigiano Reggiano can be kept at room temperature in stores without suffering any damage. Once purchased, it is advisable to store it in the refrigerator to keep all its aromatic characteristics and ensure an optimal preservation of the product.

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