Quick Carbonara

Name: Quick Carbonara
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6 servings.
Ingredients: 12 ounces uncooked spaghetti; 3 tablespoons butter; 3 tablespoons canola oil; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 3 cups cubed fully cooked ham; 8 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled; 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley; 3/4 cup sliced ripe or pimiento-stuffed olives; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

This is an adaptation of a dish originally made by my Sunday school teacher, who brought it to church dinner. Be sure to prepare plenty, because seconds are always requested. It's also good with cubed cooked turkey instead of ham.—Carole Martin, Tallahassee, Florida

Ingredients

12 ounces uncooked spaghetti
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons canola oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups cubed fully cooked ham
8 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
3/4 cup sliced ripe or pimiento-stuffed olives
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Cook spaghetti according to package directions; drain.
In a large skillet, heat butter and oil over medium heat; saute garlic 1 minute. Stir in ham and bacon; heat through. Add spaghetti and parsley; toss to combine.
Remove from heat. Stir in olives and cheese.

Health tip: Most of the sodium comes from the generous portion of ham. Use just 1-1/2 cups ham and skip the Parmesan to bring sodium below 800 milligrams per serving.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving: 513 calories, 24g fat (8g saturated fat), 73mg cholesterol, 1333mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 28g protein.

Originally published as Quick Carbonara in Quick Cooking November/December 1999

Reviews

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Average Rating:

kandabell

Sep 9, 2011

Definitely went back for seconds on this one.
Rhoda77.

Jun 2, 2011

It was very easy to make
Dutchesss

Jan 26, 2011

This was great!! Absolute favourite. Everyone wanted seconds. Now I did add baby shrimp to it and I omitted the salt as I thought the salty ness from the bacon and the ham would be enough, which it was. I am actually making this dish again tonight!!
LSsweet2th

Jan 9, 2010

Let me first say that I have never rated a recipe, and felt I had to here! It was VERY GOOD!! I did substitute olive oil in place of the vegetable oil, I used about 5 cloves of garlic, as I LOVE garlic, and I also sauted some shrimp with the butter, oil, & garlic mixture. Other than that I followed the recipe to a "T". My husband usually has a comment about adding or deleting something, however, not this time!! He and I both really enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing your recipe, we will make it over and over!