Carbonara is popular Italian pasta that became a favorite dish worldwide. Usually the dish includes spaghetti, eggs, pancetta or bacon and cheese, the perfect partner for this dish, the Parmesan cheese. There are many variations of this pasta dish and the one I have here is called tuna carbonara which uses canned tuna instead of bacon or pancetta. In this recipe post, I’ll give you some tips and suggestions for preparing the creamy tuna carbonara dish that stands out from the rest. By the way, if you seem interested in a Pinoy version of creamy carbonara that doesn’t use eggs, you can also try this creamy carbonara recipe Pinoy style!
A Turnaround to an Old Recipe
Carbonara is a simple dish, easy to prepare. However, there’s a way to elevate it, transforming it into a creamier, more delectable meal. Try this new recipe and discover how combining three essential ingredients makes this Tuna Carbonara extraordinary. The magic lies in the fusion of flavors that sets it apart from traditional carbonara.
The Three Ingredients That Matter: Butter, Cheese, Parsley
Turn your tuna carbonara into something else using butter, cheese and parsley. These three things combine seamlessly to enhance the taste and feel of the entire dish. While you can skip adding parsley if you don’t like it, it makes a great addition because it gives a fresh touch to complement the richness in the sauce. You cannot underestimate their significance; they are what makes your carbonara go from being nice to being amazing.
The Understated Superstar: Cream of Mushroom Soup
This recipe boasts an unassuming yet exceptional ingredient: cream of mushroom soup. Opt for a trusted brand like Campbell’s or a concentrated variety like Knorr that requires simple rehydration. If using the dehydrated version, ensure complete dissolution in water before incorporating, preventing unwanted lumps. This unexpected addition lends a velvety texture and an additional layer of flavor that will delight your taste buds. Despite its humble nature, cream of mushroom soup emerges as the understated hero, elevating the dish to new heights.
Choose Tuna Wisely: Chunks Instead of Flakes
In cans of tuna fish, tops on your list should be those that contain solids or chunked tuna. They have more fish flesh hence a more gratifying grain than flakes do regarding tune. It’s up to you whether they are soaked in water or oil; however the taste remains constant. But if you prudently chose brined tuna first ensure it is squeezed from excess water lest its saltiness becomes overpowering to your sauce
Perfecting the Pasta: A Crucial Step
Achieving the ideal pasta texture is crucial for a successful carbonara dish. Follow these steps to improve our recipe:
- Boil 1 liter of water in a deep pot.
- Add salt and cooking oil to prevent pasta sticking.
- Cook spaghetti or fettuccine according to package instructions.
- Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Ensure the pasta is al dente—firm but not hard.
- Drain and rinse with tap water to halt cooking.
- Drain again and let pasta sit in a colander to remove excess water.
Crafting the Creamy Sauce
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and sauté onion and garlic until tender.
- Add sliced mushrooms, stir-frying until seared and slightly brown.
- Introduce tuna, seasoning with magic sarap, salt, and pepper, stir-frying for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Pour in milk, water, cheese, cream of mushroom soup, and nestle cream.
- Stir and simmer until the sauce boils.
- Continue stirring until the sauce thickens.
- Add parsley, stirring briefly before turning off the heat.
Assembling the Masterpiece: Pulling It All Together
Allow your cooked spaghetti or fettuccine to be poured with creamy carbonara sauce. This will make an aesthetically attractive garnish when sprinkled with parsley and grated cheese. On the other hand, you can just mix the pasta and sauce for a fast and informal service.
Final Thoughts: An Effortless and Luxurious Filipino Touch
With this improved Creamy Carbonara, you have unlocked the possibility of turning an old favorite into something that delights. You can create this Filipino-inspired pasta dish quickly and it is flavorful too; hence, it will soon become a family favorite. Then why go for anything less than simply amazing as each bite is both creamy and delicious? Get ready for better Tuna Carbonara- your taste buds will love you!
Tuna Carbonara Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 kilo Spaghetti or Fettuccine pasta you can use any pasta
- 2 cans tuna solid in oil 184 grams per can
- 1 medium size can Nestle cream
- 1 tsp. magic sarap
- 1/2 cup grated cheese
- 50 grams butter
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 2 pcs medium size onion chopped
- 1 liter water for cooking the pasta
- 1 small can button mushroom sliced
- 1 small can cream of mushroom soup e.g. Campbell's condensed cream of mushroom soup
- few stalks of parsley chopped finely
- 1 370ml can evaporated milk
- 3/4 cup water
- salt and pepper
- 1 tsp. salt
- 2 Tbsp. cooking oil
Instructions
How to Cook Tuna Carbonara
- In a deep pot put the 1 liter of water and bring to a boil.
- Then add salt and cooking oil to prevent the pasta from sticking together.
- Put the Spaghetti or Fettuccine and cook according to the instruction on the package.
- Stir the pasta from time to time to avoid the pasta sticking on the bottom of the pot.
- Check if the pasta is already cooked and tender, firm but not hard (al dente).
- Then drain the water from the pasta and fill the pot with tap water to prevent the pasta from overcooking.
- Drain the water again and pour the pasta in a colander or strainer to remove the excess water.
- Let it drain for a few minutes then transfer to a Tupperware or any container that can hold the pasta. Set aside.
- In a medium size saucepan, in a medium fire, melt the butter and saute onion and garlic until tender then add the sliced mushrooms.
- Stir fry the mushrooms until the sides are seared and a little brown.
- Then add the tuna and stir fry for 1 to 2 minutes and season with magic sarap, salt and pepper.
- Add in the milk, water, cheese, cream of mushroom soup and nestle cream and stir and simmer until the sauce boils.
- Continue stirring until the sauce becomes thick. Add the parsley and stir again for a few seconds. Turn off heat.
- Pour the carbonara sauce on top of the Spaghetti or Fettuccine and garnish with parsley and grated cheese. Or just toss the pasta on with the sauce and serve.
Video
Notes
Cooking Tips for The Tuna Carbonara:
Be careful with pasta timing: when you get al dente excellence You will need to cook the perfect pasta to make a great carbonara. Just follow instructions on your package for spaghetti or fettuccine, but do not forget to taste the noodles. What should be aimed at is ‘al dente’ that can be said to be firm yet not hard. Please stir your noodles from time to time while boiling and drain it off then rinse in fresh water. Remember, it may still cook a bit after draining so watch out for overcooking. Satisfy Your Palate with Exquisite Tuna: Solid Not Flakes Elevate your carbonara dish by opting for quality canned tuna. It is advisable to choose chunks of tuna rather than flakes because they give more texture and satisfy more. As such, brine or oil does not make any difference in flavor as such you can go ahead and use either of them. If you decide on the salted variety, ensure that all brine has been drained otherwise the sauce will become too salty.” By using chunks instead of flakes, one creates an almost unnoticeable difference that might lead to ultimately different results in your final dish.It is from this point that great creamy Carbonara is started with crafting a velvety, tasty sauce. If you want to obtain the right consistency and flavor of your sauce, here are some few tips: Gently Stir and Simmer: When adding milk, water, cheese, cream of mushroom soup, nestle cream or even any other sautéed ingredients to the bowl, just stir patiently and gently. Allow your sauce to simmer till it boils in low heat. This slow process blends flavors together therefore producing a thick and balanced sauce. Lump-Free Soup: If dehydrated cream of mushroom soup is being used in the sauce then make sure that you dissolve it completely using water before adding it to your mixture. Every detail has been taken into consideration so as to avoid lumps that make the dish not appealingly smooth throughout. Thicken Carefully : It is important for one’s sauce to be at the right level of thickness. After reaching its boiling point ensure constant stirring helps thicken the gravy. Do not hurry through this step since a slowly thickened sauce adds up on the overall luxury feel of Your Creamy Carbonara.
Nutrition Notes:
Calorie and other nutrition information is derived from HappyFolks.Com recipe nutrition calculator. The percent daily value (%DV) is based on a daily 2,000 calorie diet.Nutrition Facts:
Amount per Serving:360g, Calories:611kcal, From fat:159, Total fat:18.1g, Saturated Fat:9.8g, Trans Fat:0.2g, Cholesterol:46mg, Sodium: 514mg Total Carbohydrate: 83g, Dietary Fiber: 4g, Sugars: 9g, Protein: 28g, Vitamin A: 20%, Vitamin C: 18%, Calcium: 21%, Iron: 12%