Any frittata is a great idea for a quick, inexpensive, last minute breakfast, lunch, or dinner recipe. Weoften make one when we don't really want to cook, but don't want to go out to eat either. But this recipe for carbonara frittata uses up leftovers too!
Whenever we make spaghetti carbonara, we always have some left over. We usually reheat it in the microwave for lunch the next day. But this time we thought - why not add it to a frittata? We also wanted to make a baked frittata for as little work as possible. That also means you can use no butter or oil in the recipe at all. What a hit!
Frittatas are like sturdy omelets. They are much easier to make than omelets, and wethinkthey have abetter texture. They can stand for a few minutes after they come out of the oven and they won't suffer for the standing time. You can make them with eggs, cream, and everything from cooked sausage to leftover grilled steak to chicken or pasta or roasted potatoes or roasted vegetables. Most frittatas are cooked on the stovetop then finished under the broiler. But baking a frittata means you get to skip a step.
If you don't have leftover spaghetti carbonara but want to make this recipe anyway, cook about 4 ounces of spaghetti until al dente. Meanwhile, mix 2 eggs with 3 tablespoons cream and 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese in a medium bowl. Add the hot pasta and toss to coat (this cooks the eggs and makes a sauce that sticks to the pasta), then add 2 strips cooked and crumbled bacon. Use that in place of the leftovers in this easy recipe.
All you need to serve with this wonderful recipe is some fresh fruit (peeled clementines are a nice fresh and sweet contrast), some orange juice, and milk or coffee.
- 10 eggs
- 1/2 cup light cream
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups leftover spaghetti carbonara
- 1-1/2 cups grated Swiss, Monterey Jack, or Havarti cheese
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Preheat oven to 375 F.
Spray a 12" square casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
In alarge bowl, beat eggs with cream, salt, and pepper until foamy.
Place the leftover spaghetti carbonara in the prepared dish.
Top with the Swiss cheese and then pour the egg mixture over all. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until the frittata is puffed and light golden brown on top.
Cut into squares and serve immediately.
| Nutrition Facts (per serving) |
|---|
| 422 | Calories |
| 27g | Fat |
| 17g | Carbs |
| 26g | Protein |
Show Full Nutrition Label
×
| Nutrition Facts |
|---|
| Servings: 4to 6 |
|---|
| Amount per serving |
| Calories | 422 |
| % Daily Value* |
| Total Fat 27g | 35% |
| Saturated Fat 15g | 73% |
| Cholesterol 405mg | 135% |
| Sodium 412mg | 18% |
| Total Carbohydrate 17g | 6% |
| Dietary Fiber 1g | 3% |
| Protein 26g |
| Calcium 344mg | 26% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)
Rate This Recipe
I don't like this at all.It's not the worst.Sure, this will do.I'm a fan—would recommend.Amazing! I love it!Thanks for your rating!
FAQs
Leftover carbonara needs to be reheated gently to avoid sauce separation, making low heat an ideal setting. The dish should bake for about 5 to 7 minutes. Stirring midway through the process is recommended to ensure even heating and maintain the integrity of the sauce.
Is frittata good for leftovers? ›
The frittata is basically one of THE greatest foods. EVER. It's so quick to make, easy, inexpensive, and it's also the perfect vehicle for leftovers—not to mention that it's equally delicious at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
How long is leftover carbonara good for? ›
Shelf Life and Storage Tips
dish made with eggs, cheese, pork, and black pepper, the question of preservation naturally arises. Once prepared, carbonara can last in the fridge for up to three to four days.
What is the golden rule of cooking a carbonara? ›
The golden rule to silky carbonara is to whisk your egg whites so that they're completely incorporated with the egg yolks. This will create a smooth, velvety sauce. As like any pasta dish, including carbonara, cook the pasta perfectly al dente so that it's soft but still firm, with some bite.
What should not be added to carbonara? ›
What not to put in Spaghetti Carbonara? Don't put garlic, cream, milk or butter. It is not needed. It is fine if you want to make a dish with those ingredients, but if you want to learn how to make this dish correctly, use only pecorino, eggs/egg yolks, black pepper, guanciale, and pasta water.
Can I eat carbonara left out overnight? ›
Cooked pasta is the ideal food for the growth of bacteria as it's full of carbohydrates, sugar, and other food ingredients that taste good. Any food left out for over three hours at room temperature is likely to be spoiled.
Can I reheat carbonara made with egg? ›
Yes, you can reheat carbonara, or the sauce you used for it, but you must reheat it gently.
How do you reheat carbonara without drying it out? ›
Microwave It (With Water)
This will keep the pasta from sticking together and drying out. Start by loosely covering the dish and reheating it for 1 to 1 ½ minutes, then check to see if it's heated all the way through. If not, continue microwaving at 15-second increments until hot.
Can you eat carbonara cold the next day? ›
Providing you have cooled your leftovers safely and kept them in the fridge, it is absolutely fine to eat your leftovers cold straight from the fridge…. However, if you like your leftovers warm, it's important that you reheat until piping hot throughout.
What are the biggest carbonara mistakes? ›
15 Mistakes That Are Ruining Your Carbonara
- Adding your eggs while the pasta is still on the heat. Anton27/Shutterstock. ...
- Not coating your pasta completely. ...
- Using bacon instead of guanciale. ...
- Not whisking your eggs enough. ...
- Using parmesan instead of pecorino. ...
- Not grinding your own pepper. ...
- Using cold eggs. ...
- Adding extra ingredients.
In my test, I made a single portion of carbonara using 100 grams of dried pasta (my go-to amount for one person) and a single whole egg.
Do Italians put cream in carbonara? ›
Should carbonara have cream? Typically carbonara sauce is only made of eggs, bacon, parmesan, olive oil, seasoning, and sometimes, vegetables. As for cream, Italians will tell you that is a big no no.
Is it safe to microwave carbonara? ›
Want to save 5 minutes? Cook bacon on the stove while the spaghetti is cooking in the microwave. It's possible to reheat carbonara! To thin the sauce, add 1 tablespoon of water, microwave until warm, and toss.
Should carbonara be eaten immediately? ›
Every carbonara chef, from purist to apostate, agrees on one thing, though: it's a meal that should be eaten immediately—carbonara is at its best fresh off the heat.
How do you store carbonara overnight? ›
If you think you will be using the pasta in a day or so, the sauce and pasta mixed together does allow the flavors to penetrate the noodles and may make for a more delicious dish. Store in a tightly sealed container or bag with as much air removed as possible.
What to serve after carbonara? ›
The best side dishes to serve with carbonara are garlic bread, bruschetta, stuffed mushrooms, butternut squash, roasted cherry tomatoes, focaccia, insalata caprese, bacon wrapped asparagus, caesar salad, sautéed spinach, antipasto platter, and grilled zucchini.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/pasta-carbonara-recipe-5210168-hero-01-80090e56abc04ca19d88ebf7fad1d157.jpg "Delicious Carbonara Frittata Is a Great Way to Use up Leftovers (1)")
