This pasta carbonara isn’t your average bacon-and-egg dish. It’s elevated with earthy saffron and a punch of turmeric for a golden, deeply savory spin that balances richness with brightness. A perfect weeknight indulgence or dinner party upgrade.
Ingredients
- Linguine or Tagliatelle: Use dried or fresh egg-based pasta for texture and richness.
- Chicken Stock & Saffron: Infuse broth with saffron for depth and color.
- Bacon: Thick-cut for salty, crisp bites.
- Garlic: Adds a base layer of aromatic flavor.
- Dry White Wine: Brightens and deglazes.
- Turmeric: Enhances color and adds subtle warmth.
- Egg Yolks: Key to creating a velvety, creamy sauce.
- Parmesan Cheese: Salty and nutty—don’t skimp.
- Pasta Water: Helps emulsify the sauce.
- Flat Leaf Parsley: For a fresh finish.
- Salt and Pepper: Season to taste.
Optional:
- Pan-Seared Salmon: Adds protein and richness; totally optional but highly recommended.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Boil the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook the pasta until al dente per package instructions.
- Reserve 1 ladle of pasta water and drain the rest. Set pasta aside to cool slightly.
2. Infuse the Stock
- In a small saucepan, bring the chicken stock and saffron to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer until slightly reduced and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
3. Cook the Bacon & Aromatics
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add chopped bacon and cook until just crispy.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the white wine and turmeric, scraping up any brown bits.
4. Build the Sauce
- Beat the egg yolks with the reserved pasta water in a small bowl.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the bacon mixture.
- Pour in the saffron-infused stock and toss to combine.
- Turn off the heat and stir in the egg yolk mixture, cheese, and parsley.
Optional Salmon Add-On:
- Sear a salmon filet over medium heat for 2–4 minutes per side.
- Wrap in foil and rest until the pasta is ready.
- Flake into bite-sized pieces and fold into the finished pasta.
Chef’s Tips
- Cool the pasta slightly before adding the yolks to avoid scrambling.
- Grate your own Parmesan for the best melt and flavor.
- Use quality saffron—a little goes a long way.
- Turmeric stains—use non-porous utensils and cookware.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with a crisp arugula salad and a glass of chilled white wine (Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc).
- Finish with extra Parmesan and cracked pepper.
- Try leftover pasta in a comforting version of Spaghetti Pie
Storage & Reheating
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of chicken stock or water to loosen the sauce.
Pasta Carbonara with Saffron
This saffron carbonara is bold, creamy, and surprisingly easy to pull off. We add salmon to bring a luxe upgrade, but even solo, the dish holds its own with layers of comforting flavor.
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Dinner
ItalianServes: 6
Ingredients
- 1 pound linguine – tagliatelle or egg tagliatelle pasta
- 1 1/2 cups chicken stock
- 1/4 teas saffron
- 3 tbs extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/3 lbs thick-cut bacon – chopped
- 4 cloves garlic – minced
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 2 teas ground turmeric
- 3 egg yolks
- 1/2 to 2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh flat leaf parsley – chopped
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the pasta and cook until al dente according to directions on package. Drain, reserving a ladleful of pasta cooking water; set aside to cool.
- In a small saucepan, bring the chicken stock and saffron to a boil over medium-high heat. Lower the heat and simmer until reduced.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the olive oil, over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until just crisp. Add the garlic and cook for one minute. Stir in the wine and turmeric.
- Beat the egg yolks with the cooled pasta cooking water.
- Add the pasta to the skillet with the bacon. Pour in the saffron stock and toss; season with pepper. Turn off the heat and stir in the egg yolks, cheese and parsley.
Notes
To add a bit more to this pasta, I pan seared a salmon filet in a skillet over medium heat for 2 – 4 minutes on each side for rare. Wrap in foil and let rest until pasta is ready. Fork into bite sized pieces and toss in with the pasta.
From: Rachael Ray Magazine
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 164kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 106mg | Sodium: 237mg | Potassium: 102mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 204IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 89mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutritional informations provided as a courtesy and is only an approximatation. Values will changes based on ingredients used.
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a new shed. the old one is falling apart.
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How awesome to have custom made cabinets – sounds like he is off to a grand adventure, as are you. Safe travels!
You know, I love my house exactly as it is with the exception of the kitchen counters. They’re done in small tile and I hate cleaning the grooves of grout. I can’t roll out dough on them, which is really irritating. I was so envious when you said you were getting new counters. That’s all I want.
We had Spaghetti Carbonara for dinner last night since it’s Dudette’s favorite. Ours didn’t have saffron in it thought. That sounds fantastic.
I’ve never cooked with safron!
I’d love an enormous wine cellar in my house!
I like Pass the Sushi on FB.
I also follow Stoney Creek Contractor on FB.
I’m subscribed to Pass the Sushi on my Google Reader 🙂
The tongs are gorgeous (and so are your photos)! I have delusions of grandeur that I’m going to redo my entire kitchen this year (ha) and what I want most of all is more storage space (I live in a super tiny condo)! So I’d love to have some custom storage solutions built into my kitchen.
I already like you on facebook.
I now follow Stoney Creek Contractor on facebook.
and I already follow you on twitter!
I’d love to have a fireplace in our home. We’ve been trying to figure out how to put one in since we moved in.
I would love to have a custom built solid wood bookcase in my house. I have way too many books (cookbooks and otherwise) to fit on the shelves that I have!
Handsome sure does have mad skills! These tongs are simply gorgeous, and I can’t wait to see your new cabinets! 🙂
I live in an apartment now, so no building to be done unfortunately. In my dream house I would love a slide around a a sprial staircase though ;-). But I have been trying to find a good set of wood salad bowls and serving spoons/forks so this giveaway would fill up one of those slots. That is great that he can do all of that for you!
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I would give it two thumbs up on StumbleUpon if I could. But alas just one.
I’m a renter so I probably wouldn’t build something in the house I live in now, but if I did own this house, I’d love to have a new dining room table – ours is so old and falling apart!
Oh this looks fantastic! I am a huge fan of saffron, and this looks simple and flavorful 🙂
Also, I’d love to have additional counter space built in, so maybe a counter/bar type thing. I have plenty of cabinet space, but I need work area!
I already liek you on favebooK! (Kerstin Wolff)
And I follow you on twitter (kirikiri1)
I follow you on RSS feed.
I follow you on FB.
I need and want twenty feet of counter height shelving down a wide hallway. I’ll make part of it into linens, barware and vintage glassware storage and the rest will hold extra books. By the way..we haven’t renovated our bathroom yet. It’s wallpaperd in faux collage, old timey, b&W advertisements. And yes…the lightswitch is papered to match. On a prettier note: that carbonara is gorgeous!
I travel for work too. There are some perks but everything thinks it is so glamorous but that is not the word I would ever, EVER use.
Lucky you, to have such a handy guy! My kitchen is relatively new and not horrendously ugly (in fact, I happen to think it’s very pretty), but I’d give my right arm to replace my basic Ikea cabinets with some custom-made hardwood.
What I’d love even more, though, is a nice wide window seat in my living room, so that I can snuggle with my kittehs and a good book, and watch the world go by. 🙂 I’ve always always wanted one of those. Someday, hopefully.
I follow you on Twitter!
Following on RSS, too!
Lastly, totally oooohing and aaahing over Handsome’s mad skillz. Positively aflutter, even. 🙂
I could use a wine cellar, or built-in for record player with shelves for my vinyls.
First… I’m loving that there is bacon in this. And those tongs are gorgeous. I’m really truly jealous of your kitchen remodel. I’m dying for one and ours isn’t even falling apart! It’s on my dream list… new cabinets, counter, maybe a bigger kitchen window. A new house might be easier though.
ps…I agree bacon shouldn’t be optional… I’m all for more! 😉 I’m sure some strange person out there disagrees with us though.
Those tongs are lovely and the pasta looks divine!
I would have a bathroom renovation with a jacuzzi tub!
Wow I wish my handsome man could do any one of those thigns yours can! My city boy never had to do anything like working with wood or even plumbing. Lucky gal 🙂 This pasta sounds delicious! I would have never thought of putting saffron in carbonara but it definitely works, yum!
Interesting recipe. I’m definitely making a vegetarian version of this one of these days!
And while you’re in Dallas, you may want to visit Five-Sixty by Wolfgang Puck atop Reunion Tower, fine dining … if you haven’t already been there, that is 🙂
I would love to have a wall of built in bookshelves.
I follow you on Twitter.
I like you on FB.
I follow via RSS feed.
I would love some beautiful book shelves <3
I think I just fainted. The next time I have someone to cook for in a romantic way (lets not hold our breath), I am so making this.
For the giveaway, I would love a knife block or something pretty in the kitchen like a butcher block island.
I like you everywhere! and I especially love those images they are gorgeous!
Your going to love your kitchen when they get done working on it, I hope it turns out exactly like you want….I know that can be with a kitchen…sigh
have fun in Texas!
I have 2 projects, I’m sure you’re shocked! I also would like a new shed and I need an area of my laundry room drywalled. BTW, I look forward to this blog everyday! Have fun in Big D!
I guess I could oh and ah about his awesome work!! He should come take pictures of the work he did for us!
Following you on Twitter!
Following you on FB!
I would love custom-built cabinets and counters. I’m a short foodie. And I hate having to stand on a stool!
Subscribed by e-mail!
Tweeted your giveaway!
No need to enter me into the giveaway, but I love carbonara! And with saffron, how fantastic.
What a great giveaway! Right now, I would just go for a house 🙂 This whole renting thing is getting old, and it has only be 3 months!
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Oh and Ah over Handsome skills! Those really are awesome tongs – he does amazing work. You will definitely have to take pics when he gets to your kitchen!
This carbonara looks absolutely gorgeous and is making me hungry!
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I follow Stoney Creek Contractor on fb
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And I hope I win this give away so that I can do first hand experience oohs and aahs over handsome’s skills 😉
I love those Tongs! oh my god I’m soooo jealous of your new kitchen to be! I was just pinning all my favorite kitchen stuff on pinterest and now I saw this oh my goodness so lucky! If i could put the kitchen together I think I’d add different shelving to the pantry and cabinets could use some cleaning up. beautiful post! have a safe trip!
I follow you on twitter
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tweeted about the give away
It is really a fresh and delicious recipe 🙂
Well my goodness that looks good! Nicely done Kita! Your pictures are so appetizing!
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I liked Stoney Creek Contractor on facebook!
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Custom cabinets sounds wonderful!! Ours definitively need a face lift.
Making kitchen utensils?!?! OMG! That is incredible! I saw those little boxes he made and I thought those were beautiful!
I would like an extra room built off my garage. No plumbing, just electrical and not even a huge room. Just a bedroom or “bonus room”. 🙂 I’ll just call it my room and I’ll stay out there whenever Yannick upsets me.
I almost forgot, I was going to tell you that your pasta looks beautiful. I’ve never tried saffron and I want to see what all the fuss is about.
Re-purposing scrap wood in such a beautiful way…ahhhh, you are indeed lucky.
I went through a kitchen reno when we moved to our condo at the coast. I ran out of money before I could get rid of the inset fluorescent tube lights…so I have my lovely granite counters, new ceramic tile floor, nice stainless appliances, new array of cabinets…and crappy 1985 lighting. THAT is what will be fixed next!!! We also only did one of the two bathrooms completely. I regret that as well. The hall bath still has a fiberglass tub inset…and now wish I’d gone ahead and done a walk-in tile shower like we did in the master. Ahhh well, one can wish.
I’m wishing for those beautiful tongs, too!