Go Back

Shrimp Carbonara Pasta

In this version, golden shrimp and crispy bacon are tossed together with spaghetti (or your favorite pasta) in a silky, rich sauce made from eggs, butter, and Parmesan. The result? A luxurious yet effortless dish that feels restaurant-worthy.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients:
  • 1 large egg – at room temperature place in warm water for 5 minutes
  • 6 tbsp butter – softened
  • ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 6 garlic cloves – minced
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes
  • ¼ tsp kosher salt
  • 6 slices bacon – diced
  • ¾ lb large shrimp peeled and deveined (about 31/35 count)
  • 12 oz linguine
  • ½ cup reserved starchy pasta cooking water
  • ⅓ cup finely chopped Italian parsley
For Garnish:
  • Additional parsley
  • Extra Parmesan cheese
  • Cracked black pepper

Method
 

Mise en Place (Prep First!)
  1. This dish comes together quickly, so have everything ready before you start:
  2. Bring a pot of salted water to boil.
  3. Slice the bacon.
  4. Place the egg in warm water to reach room temperature.
  5. Mince the garlic and measure butter, pepper flakes, salt, and cheese.
  6. Chop the parsley.
Make the Carbonara Sauce
  1. In a food processor or blender, combine:
  2. egg, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, softened butter, and Parmesan cheese.
  3. Blend for about 15 seconds until creamy, scraping the sides as needed.
  4. Set aside.
Cook the Pasta
  1. Cook the linguine according to package instructions.
  2. 👉 Don’t forget: Reserve ½ cup of starchy pasta water before draining.
  3. (Pro Tip: Place a measuring cup in your colander as a reminder!)
Cook the Bacon & Shrimp
  1. In a large skillet, cook diced bacon over medium heat until crisp and browned.
  2. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set on a paper towel–lined plate.
  3. Drain all but 2 tbsp of bacon grease.
  4. Add shrimp to the skillet and cook 3 minutes, until pink and opaque.
  5. Remove shrimp and set aside with the bacon.
Combine Everything
  1. Deglaze the skillet with ¼ cup reserved pasta water, scraping up any browned bits.
  2. Add cooked pasta, butter/egg mixture, parsley, bacon, and shrimp.
  3. Toss well to coat evenly.
  4. (Pro Tip: Add a splash more pasta water and cheese for a creamier texture!)
Serve
  1. Serve immediately topped with extra Parmesan, chopped parsley, and cracked black pepper.

Notes

Prep all ingredients beforehand—this recipe cooks fast.
Serve immediately; it’s not ideal for making ahead.
Always use a room temperature egg for a smooth sauce.
Add extra cheese for a richer flavor (Grana Padano or Gruyere work great too).
Reserve that pasta water—it’s key for the creamy texture!