Do you watch Criminal Minds? Then you’re in for a treat. This is based on David Rossi’s carbonara recipe!
(Do you love recipes based on books and movies? You will love this Treacle Tart – Harry Potter’s Favourite!)
Remember that episode where Rossi had the team over at his house and taught them how to cook carbonara (how geeky do I sound right now)?
I’ve always wanted to make that and after a significant amount of searching I found a recipe in a French fan page that they claimed was from Joe Mantegna himself (yes, I may have too much time on my hands).
I’ve since tweaked it here and there and it is fabulous! No cream, just eggs, pancetta and lotsa cheese. And guess what else? I cooked it! Not Red, me. (Ok, I may have had some help with chopping, slicing and such.)
It’s practically the only thing I can cook (insert: big proud smile right here). So let’s step into the world of BAU for a moment and bask in the deliciousness that is this carbonara.
How do you make traditional carbonara sauce?
I grew up eating creamy carbonara. And by that I mean carbonara made with cream. I only recently found out that this is very, very wrong.
Traditional carbonara has no drop of cream in it. So what makes it so creamy?
Are eggs in carbonara cooked?
Egg yolks (and not cream) are what make traditional carbonara dreamy and creamy. You guys know I have raw egg issues (check out my Eggless Key Lime Pie and my Eggless Tiramisu) so I can understand your hesitation.
The first few times I made this I ended up scrambling the eggs; I was so eager to pour the eggs into the hot pan and let them sit a little to cook.
What I’ve found is the residual heat from the pasta/pan will cook them so have no fear. And you shouldn’t let the egg mixture sit at all; you need to quickly toss the pasta so the egg mixture coats everything and doesn’t turn into a scrambled mess.
How to make creamy carbonara
Also, don’t throw away the pasta water. I did the first time – I know, rookie mistake.
What you want to do is pour about a quarter cup into your pasta, continue mixing until you get the creaminess you want (not too much though, we don’t want it soupy).
Related: Sweet and Salty Filipino-Style Spaghetti
David Rossi’s carbonara recipe
Once you’ve done that you’ll have this amazing dish that’s so quick to prepare it’s perfect for those busy weeknights. It’s so good too it’s great for when you have company over.
Hope you give it a try, whether you’re a fan of Criminal Minds
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David Rossi’s Carbonara Recipe (Copycat)
Ingredients
- 1 lb pasta you can use your favourite pasta: spaghetti, fettuccine, linguine or bucatini
- 1/2 lb pancetta diced
- 1 cup chopped onions
- olive oil for frying
- 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- 4 pcs egg yolks from large eggs
- salt and pepper to taste
- chopped parsley for serving
Instructions
- Cook 1 pound pasta until al dente. While that's cooking, in a large pan on medium heat cook 1/2 pound diced pancetta and 1 cup chopped onions in olive oil until pancetta is browned and onions are soft.
- Combine your cheese then pour half of it with your 4 egg yolks. Beat lightly until combined.
- At this point your pasta and pancetta should be ready. Drain the pasta (reserve some of the pasta water) and transfer into your pan. Remove from heat.
- Pour your egg mixture into the pan and toss the pasta until coated. Pour about 1/4 cup pasta water in your pan and continue tossing until you get the creaminess you want. If you need to put more pasta water, do so a little at a time so your pasta doesn't get too runny.
- Add the rest of your cheese and toss some more. Season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve with chopped parsley.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional information are estimates only.
Happy cooking!
Did you try David Rossi’s carbonara recipe? I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below.
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Alana Talley says
Hey if I were to add peas to this how much would I add
Jolina says
Hi! Haven’t tried it with peas so I don’t know. Maybe others have so hopefully you’ll get some feedback here.
Kelly Bergeson says
This looks yummy. I’m just wondering if you can make this a crockpot recipe. I need something that will last a few days. If you can, how would it be done.
Jolina says
Hi Kelly! I haven’t tried this in a crockpot so I can’t say for sure. I’m posting your question maybe other readers have tried and can give you insight.
Didi says
I’m a big fan of criminal minds too and I know exactly the episode where they made this carbonara. While I’m not sure what that tasted like, this is DELICIOUS. And it’s nice to pretend david rossie was the one who made it for me!!! It’s one of my favorite weeknight meals. Thank you Jolina.
Jolina says
Hello fellow fan! 🙂 You’re most welcome, happy to hear you liked it.
Imgoog says
Thank you for sharing the recipe! Gonna try it soon.
MEGAN MCDUFFIE says
Carbonara is one of our favorite weeknight meals. I’ve always made it with bacon, but using pancetta is a great idea! Looking forward to trying it out.
Jolina says
Hi Megan! Pancetta is so flavourful, we didn’t even need to add any salt. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
Jenny says
In our house, carbanora is the responsibility of my better half! I will pass this recipe on to him.. it looks delicious. Pure comfort food!
Julia says
I used to watch Criminal Minds but then it got a little too twisted and violent for me and I stopped a few years ago. This pasta looks really good!
Jolina says
I guess it’s not for everyone 🙂 I guess I’ve always secretly wanted to be a spy or an agent LOL. The carbonara is awesome though! Hope you try it!
Elizabeth says
I love Carbonara and this looks like a great straight-forward recipe. Can’t wait to try it!
Supriya Kutty says
This looks like a delicious carbonara recipe to try! I will make this weekend for dinner one night. Sounds and looks yummy!
Marielle Altenor says
Oh yum! I’m only made carbonara once and that was years ago. I need to make this recipe! Looks soo delicious.
Robin says
Simple and easy to make definitely another winner. The pancetta and cheese makes it so flavourful. I can’t wait to make this. Btw, good luck on your next cooking adventure:)
Jolina says
Aw thanks Robin! You certainly can’t go wrong with cheese and pancetta eh? 🙂 Hope you’re having a fabulous week!
Tami says
I don’t think I’ve ever eaten pancetta. I will definitely be making this dish this week for my family.
Jolina says
Hi Tami! Pancetta is the Italian version of bacon and like bacon, it makes everything better! 🙂 Hope you guys like it.
Kristen says
Now this looks delish! I never can find the right consistency for my carbonara, but this one really looks like a winner!
Jolina says
Thanks! And I know what you mean about the consistency, can’t be too thick or too runny. I think quickly tossing and coating the pasta with eggs then gradually adding in pasta water should do the trick 🙂
Aldous H. says
Bob’s Burgers burgers please!
Jolina says
Hahaha now wouldn’t that be fun! 🙂
Helen says
Haha, I’m not a fan of Criminal Minds but like that you pulled a recipe from a character in show. More people should do this! Nice post.
Candice says
Mmmm these would be good birthday noodles! Carbonara is a favorite of mine as well, simple and decadent. The first time I read about carbonara was in Ruth Riechel’s book and she called it her hangover cure ha ha!
Jolina says
I can understand how this is an awesome hangover cure lol! And yes I love how simple it is…so few ingredients I was first afraid it would taste really bland but it is anything but 🙂
Sharon says
This looks so delicious! Love this amazing photo. My family loves a good yummy pasta and I’ll be making this for dinner. They’re going to love it.
Gillian says
I am a huge Criminal Minds fan. Wouldn’t it be fun to go to Dave’s place and drink wine? I have had 2 Italian students who taught me how to make carbonara. I always though it used cream but no! This dish is so delicious!
Jolina says
Hello fellow fan! I’d love to just hang out and chill in his backyard too, which looks massive. And I thought carbonara had cream as well (that’s how my mom always made it I wonder how she feels about this haha).
Catherine says
I absolutely LOVE that show! I love this recipe too! What a fun and delicious dish!
Jolina says
It was so much fun recreating it! I’ve been a fan for a while so I was totally geeking out lol!
Lacee says
I have attempted a similar recipe, but I also scrambled the eggs. 🙁 I will have to try again!
Jolina says
Hi Lacee! When that happened to me, we ate it anyway. It was still delicious, albeit a little dry. Hope you try this one. Good luck!
Jeni says
ha! I love eggs, lol, I can’t imagine being turned off by them but I know many people are. This carbonara looks so delish! And easy too!
Jolina says
Hi Jeni! We love eggs too, I just don’t *love* raw ones haha.
Karyl says
OMG I am obsessed with Criminal Minds! I almost stopped watching when Morgan left and they fired Hotch…I’m holding out hope that Morgan comes back though 🙂 I cried like a baby on his last full episode. I love that you created Rossi’s recipe!! I’m going to have to try this one for sure
Jolina says
I know, I miss his baby girl lines lol. He’s the only person who can pull that off without being creepy haha!! Hope you enjoy this carbonara as much as we do. Bye for now…wheels up in 30.
Danielle says
I love carbonara and you’ve made it sound so easy! I’m always worried that I will scramble the eggs too 🙂
Jolina says
Hi Danielle! Lemme tell you, even when I scrambled the eggs it was still delicious and we still ate it lol. It was a delicious mistake I must say. Hope you try the recipe!
Whitney says
Looks yummy!
lisa says
Pasta is my spirit animal when it comes to food. I love a great carbonara and will have to give this a try soon and see what the family thinks!
Jolina says
Love that, spirit animal 🙂 Hope you and the family like it!
Tonya Wilhelm says
This pasta looks amazing. I have to admit, scrolling down, those desserts look really good too!
Jolina says
Aw thanks Tonya! I’m in fact more of a desserts girl with a sprinkling of savoury 🙂
Marissa Zurfluh says
Oh Yum! This looks amazing!
Andrea Broom says
this looks very tasty, one of my favorite pastas ever, love how it is creamy, rich and still not drowned in sauce. good parmesan really does make a big difference. thanks for sharing
Jolina says
I absolutely agree! Good cheese makes all the difference. We got hold of this amazing Pecorino Romano from our local cheese shop too which made this carbonara out of this world delicious.
Heather says
Oh yes this looks like the ultimate in comfort food. Can’t wait to make it for my fam.
Saidah Washington says
I loved that episode. Now all of my favorite Criminal Minds characters are gone. So sad.
Jolina says
Oh I know. It kinda feels like when Grissom left CSI, though I’m liking the new characters they’re introducing every season. In any case, we’ll always have carbonara! 🙂
Maureen says
This looks like a delicious carbonara recipe to try! I will certainly be making up this week for dinner one night. Sounds and looks yummy!
Dominique says
OMG Carbonara is one of my biggest weaknesses! This looks SOO good. I didn’t realize one should only use egg yolk, thanks for the tip!
Jolina says
Hi Dominique! Some recipes say use the whole egg but I think egg yolks make it that much more creamier 🙂
Mindy says
This looks very good! I like the use of pancetta I think it would give very good flavor. I get nervous about raw eggs as well but now maybe I feel a little better that they cook!
Jolina says
Hi Mindy! Pancetta is the bomb. It’s like bacon but better (can you imagine lol!). And trust me, someone who has crazy raw egg issues, you should be ok 🙂
Carola says
Carbonara is great. I always love eating this. But I rarely make it myself. This recipe males me think again. Especially because it’s easy and I can use it for busy weeknights!
Juli Purcell says
I don’t watch Criminal Minds, however now I want to! This sounds and looks soooo good!!!!
Jana says
Looks so good, makes me dread the frozen alfredo pasta I’ll be having for dinner tonight! will have to try this out this weekend.
Jolina says
LOL! I’m sure you can dress it up 🙂 Do try making this carbonara from scratch, it’s quite delightful.
Carrie says
I’ve always thrown out my pasta water. Now, I know!
Jolina says
I know right?! I didn’t know they’re useful too. Now we’re going to be master pasta cooks watch out world 🙂 Thanks Carrie!
Maria says
this is such a classic italian meal. I have not made it in a while, need to make it this week.
Rachel Teodoro says
I’ve not made this before but would love to add it to my dinner list this week.
christine says
I’m a big fan of Criminal Minds but I can’t for the life of me remember this. Either way, I love carbonara and this looks delish.
Jolina says
Hi Christine. I had to google that episode and what do you know, it’s on YouTube (why did I doubt it lol!). Here’s the link if you want to have a look (no affiliation to the account BTW!) – https://youtu.be/CyWnNZmtzJg
robin rue says
I don’t watch this show, but I still want to try this recipe! It sounds amazing delicious! My family will love it.
Dawn says
High five to you girl for putting out a WICKED recipe! I LOVES me some carbonara. Seriously. So good. I mean, pasta, pancetta…..what’s not to love? I could eat my weight in that. I watched a few episodes of Criminal Minds, but never really got into it, but had I know there was an episode talking about food I would have continued to watch, lol. Pinning this beauty and making soon 🙂
Jolina says
High five! What’s not to love right? I mean, just all the cheeses 🙂 I actually got into the series late somewhat so I binge watched (as you know I am prone to do lol) the first 2 seasons or something. I was hooked! Thanks for the pin!