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Christin Mahrlig
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Southern Carbonara is a southern twist on the classic Italian dish with country ham, vidalia onion, and collard greens.
Because Carbonara is so quick and easy to make, it’s the perfect weeknight meal. You can have this meal on the table in under 30 minutes. Pasta Carbonara is made from only a few simple ingredients, but the result is impressive and luxurious.
The eggs and Parmesan cheese give Southern Carbonara a rich, creamy flavor. We’re talking stick to your bones comfort food here.
Instead of the usual prosciutto, I used country ham which is fabulously salty. If you don’t have country ham just use bacon or prosciutto.
For extra flavor I added Vidalia onion (any sweet onion will do) and a few minced garlic cloves. For color I added thinly sliced collard greens. If there are greens in a dish it’s healthy right?
Since the eggs don’t get fully cooked, you can use pasteurized eggs if you are concerned.
Y’all enjoy!
A Southern take on the classic Italian recipe. This dish is flavored up with country ham, sweet onion, and collard greens.
PREP: 15 minutes mins
COOK: 10 minutes mins
TOTAL: 25 minutes mins
SERVINGS: 4
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Ingredients
- 12 ounces uncooked spaghetti
- 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced country ham, prosciutto can be used instead
- 1 small Vidalia onion or other sweet onion, diced
- 3 cups packed thinly sliced collard greens
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 large eggs, use pasteurized eggs if concerned about undercooked eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Shredded Parmesan for serving
Instructions
Bring water to a boil and add about 1 tablespoon of salt to water.
While water is coming to a boil, add 1/2 tablespoon olive oil to a nonstick skillet and set over medium heat. Add country ham and cook until crispy. Remove to a paper towel lined plate.
Add remaining olive oil to skillet and sauté onion 3 minutes. Add collard greens and garlic and sauté another 2 to 3 minutes. Turn heat to low to keep warm.
In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
Cook pasta according to package directions, reserving 1/2 cup cooking water when you drain.
Immediately after draining pasta, place pasta in bowl with eggs and use tongs to mix the pasta into the egg mixture well.
Pour pasta/egg mixture into pan with collard greens. Remove pan from heat and mix everything together. Add some reserved pasta liquid if pasta is too dry. To serve, sprinkle country ham on top and shredded Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition
Calories: 566kcal
Author: Christin Mahrlig
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Southern
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17 thoughts on “Southern Carbonara Recipe”
Dianita
01.25.2022 at 9:26 pm
Thank you for a creative and tasty twist on a classic pasta recipe!
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Betty
03.29.2017 at 10:28 pm
Delicious!
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Thalia @ butter and brioche
09.06.2014 at 4:53 am
This carbonara looks amazing.. I have strangely never made carbonara before, definitely inspired to make your recipe!
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Alessandra // the foodie teen
09.04.2014 at 4:12 pm
Vidalia onions are my favourite! That looks so, so stunning! Yum!
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Jess @ On Sugar Mountain
09.04.2014 at 2:22 pm
What a neat recipe! I love carbonara and a Southern twist sounds right up my alley. Pinned!
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Monica
09.04.2014 at 10:20 am
I love this Southern spin on the classic carbonara! Any way to add some greens into the mix is a great idea to me. Yum!
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Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes)
09.04.2014 at 9:18 am
Girl this pasta is doing everything in the world that it should! Amazing!!!
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Medeja
09.04.2014 at 6:43 am
Looks yummy! Great spaghetti meal 🙂
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Eva
09.03.2014 at 11:02 pm
This looks great. I’ve never seen Vidalia onion. I’ll try to find it next time I go to the store.
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Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
09.03.2014 at 8:09 pm
I love this creative twist on a classic dish! Sounds like collards greens go perfectly in here. Delish!
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Matt @ Runner Savvy
09.03.2014 at 8:08 pm
Yummmm!
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Danielle
09.03.2014 at 7:14 pm
I love the twist on this carbonara, your recipes never fail to amaze me!
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Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong
09.03.2014 at 5:36 pm
Spaghetti carbonara is such a versatile dish.. love how simple and quick it is to make and tastes amazing too.. delicious.. love it!! 🙂
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Kelly
09.03.2014 at 4:46 pm
What a great twist on carbonara! It does look like the perfect weeknight meal – love all those collard greens in here too 🙂
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Olivia - Primavera Kitchen
09.03.2014 at 3:25 pm
This dish looks so tasty and yummy! I’ve never made carbonara, but you’ve inspired me to try it 😉
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Rachel @ Bakerita
09.03.2014 at 2:58 pm
Mmm, this all sounds so delicious. What a scrumptious dinner! Pinned 🙂
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Kay Little
09.03.2014 at 12:25 pm
This looks so good…what a transformation to Southern twist…the collard greens had me 🙂
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