Latin American Pasta Carbonara

Ingredients

While the original Italian Pasta Carbonara typically uses pancetta or bacon, this Latin American adaptation incorporates chorizo, a popular ingredient in Latin American cuisine. Additionally, we add a touch of spice with jalapenos and use queso fresco, a fresh Mexican cheese, to give the dish a creamy and tangy twist. We alse have the original recipe for Pasta carbonara, so you can check it out.

• 8 oz (225g) spaghetti 8 oz (225g) spaghetti
• 4 oz (115g) chorizo, diced 4 oz (115g) chorizo, diced
• 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and finely chopped 1 jalapeno, seeded and finely chopped
• 3 large eggs 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream
• 1/2 cup (50g) grated queso fresco 1/2 cup (50g) grated queso fresco
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1880 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 28g, 12g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 32g, 3g
• Protein: 18g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. 2.
   In a large skillet, cook the chorizo over medium heat until crispy. Remove the chorizo from the skillet and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
3. 3.
   In the same skillet, add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and jalapeno. Sauté until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
4. 4.
   In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, grated queso fresco, salt, and pepper.
5. 5.
   Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the onion mixture. Pour the egg mixture over the spaghetti and toss well to coat. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens slightly.
6. 6.
   Remove from heat and stir in the crispy chorizo.
7. 7.
   Serve the Latin American Pasta Carbonara hot, garnished with fresh cilantro.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Chorizo — Make sure to remove the casing before dicing it for the recipe.
• Queso fresco — If you can't find queso fresco, you can substitute it with crumbled feta cheese or grated Parmesan.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra kick of flavor, you can add a squeeze of lime juice to the finished dish.
• If you prefer a milder heat, remove the seeds from the jalapeno before chopping.
• To make the dish more colorful, you can add diced bell peppers or cherry tomatoes to the skillet along with the onion mixture.
• If you want a creamier sauce, you can add an extra splash of heavy cream.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Serving advice

Serve the Latin American Pasta Carbonara as a main dish accompanied by a fresh green salad or garlic bread.

Presentation advice

Garnish each plate with a sprig of fresh cilantro to add a pop of color and freshness to the dish.