Healthy and simple Smoked Salmon Pasta Carbonara. Made with just five simple ingredients and ready in 10 minutes. It's a super quick and delicious weeknight meal that's creamy (without any cream), luxurious and packed full of flavour! A little twist on a classic pasta carbonara.
Smoked salmon carbonara is a fun twist on a classic and traditional carbonara which is made with guanciale (cured pig jowl).
Although the authentic recipe is insanely delicious and perfect as it is, I love to experiment in the kitchen and swapping the guanciale for smoked salmon was one delicious experiment!
The sauce uses the same technique as the traditional recipe creating the creaminess from eggs and cheese (I used Parmigiano Reggiano instead of pecorino here).
The whole recipe is rich and creamy with a luxurious feel to it (think Christmas and special occasions) whilst remaining super quick, easy and pretty inexpensive.
See the full recipe below with step by step photos and tips!
Step by step photos and recipe instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the linguine or long pasta shape of your choice. Cook the pasta according to packet instructions until al dente.
Meanwhile, cut the smoked salmon into thin strips and finely chop some fresh parsley (this is optional but I think it adds a nice freshness to the pasta).
Next, add the eggs to a bowl and whisk together, add the grated parmesan and a good pinch of salt and pepper, stir to combine.
Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and add it back into the pot you cooked it in. Sprinkle over the strips of salmon then add the whisked eggs and parmesan mixture, immediately stir the pasta to coat it evenly in egg and to distribute the salmon throughout the pasta evenly.
Tip: wait exactly 1 minute before pouring over the egg mixture. If the pasta is too hot the eggs will scramble but if it's too cool the eggs will remain raw.
The pasta should be creamy and evenly coated in sauce. Divide the smoked salmon pasta between bowls and top with a scattering of chopped parsley and an extra grinding of pepper, serve.
This has got to be one of the simplest and quickest pasta recipes out there, it is just so easy to make and you can't really go wrong as long as you use my tip above to prevent the eggs from scrambling.
Eggs to pasta ratio
I've seen and made many pasta carbonara recipes in my time and I find that using 1 egg less as many servings works best. Does that make sense? For four servings I use 400g/14oz of pasta (100g per portion) and 3 eggs.
I've seen recipes that use as many as 6 eggs for 4 servings and that is just wayyyy too much egg for my liking, I just don't like the taste. For me, the ratio I've used in this recipe works perfectly. The egg just coats the pasta and no more, it's creamy, silky and exactly how it should be.
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Smoked Salmon Pasta Carbonara
Ingredients
- 14.1 oz linguine pasta, or similar (400g)
- 3 eggs
- 2 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
- 5.2 oz smoked salmon (150g)
- 1 small bunch fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the linguine or long pasta shape of your choice. Cook the pasta according to packet instructions until al dente.
- Meanwhile, cut the smoked salmon into thin strips and finely chop some fresh parsley (this is optional but I think it adds a nice freshness to the pasta).
- Next, add the eggs to a bowl and whisk together, add the grated parmesan and a good pinch of salt and pepper, stir to combine.
- Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and add it back into the pot you cooked it in. Sprinkle over the strips of salmon then add the whisked eggs and parmesan mixture, immediately stir the pasta to coat it evenly in egg and to distribute the salmon throughout the pasta evenly.
- Tip: wait exactly 1 minute before pouring over the egg mixture. If the pasta is too hot the eggs will scramble but if it's too cool the eggs will remain raw.
- The pasta should be creamy and evenly coated in sauce. Divide the smoked salmon pasta between bowls and top with a scattering of chopped parsley and an extra grinding of pepper, serve.
Notes
- You could use chives instead of parsley.
- Make sure you wait about 1 minute before adding the eggs so they don't scramble.
- This pasta is best eaten immediately, it doesn't reheat or freeze well.
Nutrition
- I always use extra virgin olive oil in all of my recipes unless stated otherwise
- When I use canned or jarred tomatoes of any kind I always use Cirio or Mutti brands for the best results and flavour.
- All vegetables are medium sized unless stated otherwise
- All recipes are tested and developed using a fan (convection) oven
- Find out more about how nutrition is calculated.
- Check out our must have Italian Pantry Staples.
- You can also find all our Essential Kitchen Tools for Italian Cooking.
Brian C
Is there any other type of fish you would recommend? My wife is not a fan of salmon so I am looking for another option. Thank you for your help!!!
Emily
Hi Brian, another good option is smoked mackerel 🙂
Amy
Super easy to follow and a great recipe!
Emily
So happy you enjoyed it 🙂
Emi
I was looking for a recipe to use up a package of smoked sockeye and stumbled on your page. It's always nice to find a recipe that you have all the ingredients for. It is a big bonus when the recipe is GOOD!
This was so easy and delicious. Next time I might experiment with capers and sauteed onions.
Thanks!
Inside the rustic kitchen
Mmm capers would be delicious, so happy you enjoyed it!
Rick Nicolls
Great idea subbing smoked salmon! Has anyone tried combining smoked salmon and pancetta or prosciutto?
Liz
Wow my husband loves salmon (and I love pasta!) so this sounds like a great recipe for us both!
Inside the rustic kitchen
You'll need to try it, sooo good! 😀
Danielle Wolter
OMG this sounds amazing! Smoked salmon is so yummy and I never thought of using it in carbonara. Love it! Pinned for later.
Inside the rustic kitchen
Thanks so much Danielle!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
My family loves a carbonara and this one looks absolutely delicious - I usually make mine using cream so will have to try it without.
Inside the rustic kitchen
Definitely try it without, it's much lighter but just as delicious!
Elizabeth
I am absolutely loving the look of this! Love how it's only 300 calories too as these kinds of dishes can often be very calorific.
Charla @ That Girl Cooks Healthy
I'm drooling over here because your recipe looks so darn good. I cannot say I'm well verse with Italian cuisines but would love to explore them some time.
Alia @ Everyday Easy Eats
Ooo Emily your Smoked Salmon Pasta Carbonara looks and sounds delicious!! I love how the recipe uses such few ingredients to make a full meal. Your photos look great and the step-by-step instructions and process shots are so helpful!! Great work! 🙂
Inside the rustic kitchen
Thanks so much Alia, that's so nice of you!