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Halloumi Carbonara Recipe

Halloumi Carbonara Recipe
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★★★★★

5 from 8 reviews

A delicious twist on classic carbonara, this Halloumi Carbonara recipe combines crispy fried halloumi cheese with a creamy egg and parmesan sauce, tossed with perfectly cooked spaghetti. It’s a simple yet flavorful vegetarian pasta dish that’s quick to prepare and full of savory indulgence.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 200 g (7 oz) dried spaghetti
  • Salt, for pasta water

Halloumi and Sauce

  • 150 g (5 oz) halloumi cheese, cut into 1 cm (½ inch) cubes
  • 1 egg
  • ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese or pecorino romano
  • 1 clove garlic, smashed (skin on)
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the dried spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve about ⅓ to ½ cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
  2. Prepare Egg and Cheese Mixture: While the pasta cooks, whisk the egg and freshly grated parmesan or pecorino cheese together in a bowl until well combined. Set aside.
  3. Fry the Halloumi: When the pasta has about 5 minutes left to cook, heat the olive oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add the halloumi cubes and the smashed garlic clove with skin. Allow the halloumi to sizzle and turn golden brown on one side without moving it around, about 3 to 4 minutes, then flip to brown the other side.
  4. Remove Garlic: Once the halloumi is browned all over, use tongs to remove and discard the garlic clove and its skin.
  5. Toss Pasta with Halloumi: Add the drained pasta and reserved pasta water to the pan with halloumi. Season heavily with black pepper and toss thoroughly using tongs, mixing everything well. Turn off the heat; the pan should no longer be sizzling.
  6. Add Egg and Cheese Mixture: Slowly pour the whisked egg and parmesan mixture into the pan in a circular motion. Immediately toss the pasta again quickly and thoroughly to combine, allowing the residual heat to cook the egg gently and create a creamy, silky sauce.
  7. Serve: Serve the pasta immediately, topped with extra parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Notes

  • Season the pasta cooking water generously with salt to enhance flavor.
  • Do not stir the halloumi cubes while frying; let them develop a golden crust on each side for the best texture.
  • Use the reserved pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency and help the sauce cling to the pasta.
  • This recipe is vegetarian but not vegan due to the use of egg and cheese.
  • Serve immediately to enjoy the creamy texture before the sauce thickens or cools down.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloumi Carbonara, vegetarian pasta, creamy pasta, Italian pasta recipe, halloumi cheese recipe, easy pasta dinner

Find it online: https://recipeswithmia.com/halloumi-carbonara-recipe/