Instant Pot Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe

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This is a quick and easy ‘Instant Pot Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe‘ for the whole family. Carbonara is a traditional Italian pasta dish made with egg, hard cheese, cured pork, and black pepper. If you love traditional Italian dishes, then this recipe is definitely one for your family.

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Is white SAUCE and carbonara the same?

Carbonara sauce is originally made with eggs, parmesan, and cured pork called guanciale. The sauce is served over a plain flour-and-water spaghetti. Both are white sauces. They are both simple to make, with rich white sauces served over long pieces of pasta. They can be homemade and makes your meal/dish more traditional.

WHY DO YOU PUT EGG YOLK IN CARBONARA?

Traditional Carbonara uses egg yolk and therefore this is the best way to make carbonara. The whites of the egg combine with the starch in the pasta water to add viscosity to the sauce while the yolk adds richness and flavour. Because egg yolks are a powerful emulsifier, they also help bind the fat from the pork to the sauce, creating a smooth, velvety texture without any separation.

HOW LONG DO YOU COOK SPAGHETTI IN THE INSTANT POT?

This is one question which varies on what you are cooking with the pasta. The short answer to this question is 6-7 minutes. It takes on average of 10-12 minutes for the Instant Pot to come to pressure. So in that time, the spaghetti is cooked and softened just right.

Ingredients needed for this recipe/keyword

• 8 oz of spaghetti noodles
• 2 tablespoons of butter divided 
• 1 tablespoon of oil
• 5 slices of bacon chopped
• 2 tablespoons of minced garlic 
• 1 cup of shredded Parmesan
• 1 egg 
• 1/2 teaspoon of pepper 

HOW TO MAKE THIS INSTANT POT SPAGHETTI CARBONARA

Break spaghetti noodles in half and place in instant pot layered and crossed. Add water until noodles are completely submerged.

Close lid, seal pressure valve and pressure cook on high for 7 minutes. When finished, manually release the pressure. 

Drain the noodles, saving 1/2 cup of noodle water. Set noodles aside.

Set the instant pot to sauté and add oil. When the oil is hot, sauté the bacon until crispy. 

Add garlic and butter and sauté until butter is melted. 

Cancel the instant pot from sautéing mode and add pasta stirring it in. 

In a separate bowl, whisk the egg and Parmesan. Slowly stir the egg and cheese mixture in so that the egg does not scramble. Add the noodle water and stir well.

Garnish with pepper and serve 

INSTANT POT PASTA CARBONARA VARIATIONS:

Idea No#1: Set the Instant Pot to Saute. Then add cubed chicken, then some ham or Italian sausage and cook with bacon until browned to suit. Add any seasonings/herbs to suit your individual tastes. The final part is to throw in the pasta and set the Instant Pot to 7 minutes with 2 cups of liquid.

Idea No#2: Saute some veggies, spinach, sweet peas, sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, even broccoli and cauliflower. Add your spaghetti and set the Instant Pot to 7 minutes with 2 cups of liquid.

Idea No# 3: Using completely different types of pasta. Angel hair (Capellini), fettuccine, linguine. Any of these types of pasta can be a great substitute for carbonara to make this dish.

What Pasta Is Best For Carbonara?

There are a few different types of pasta that can be used for carbonara. Spaghetti is the most popular choice, but other options include fettuccine, linguine, or any other type of long pasta. Short pasta like macaroni or penne can also be used, but won’t have the same traditional flavor and texture as spaghetti carbonara.

How To Store Leftovers?

If you have any leftovers, be sure to store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They will last for 2-3 days. To reheat, place them in a microwave-safe dish and heat on high for 2-3 minutes, or until heated through.

Can I Freeze It?

Yes, you can freeze carbonara. Simply place it in an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge and then reheat in a microwave-safe dish on high for 2-3 minutes, or until heated through.

Did you enjoy this fun Instant Pot Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe? You may also love the following posts:

• The Best Instant Pot Hawaiian Rolls
• Instant Pot Sesame Rice Recipe
• Instant Pot Santa Fe Chicken
• Instant Pot Banana Bread
• The First Ten Recipes To Cook In Your Instant Pot
• Easy Italian Recipes For Instant Pot Beginners
• Instant Pot White Chicken Chili Recipe
• Instant Pot Burn Notice

About Angela Milnes

Angela Milnes is a Qualified Early Years Teacher who has specialised in teaching. She has a wealth of experience teaching young children and adults. Angela has also taught cooking classes and loves to share both family recipes and easy instant pot recipes here on The Instant Pot Table. Follow her on Pinterest!