An Italian Carbonara focuses on three key things: cheese, eggs and bacon/pancetta/guanciale. It’s practically breakfast for dinner. And since my take on a classic Spaghetti Carbonara is one of my most popular recipes, it only made sense to transform it into the most amazing risotto dish ever with little effort. I give you the most outrageous Risotto Carbonara, done to simple perfection.
Instant Pot Risotto Carbonara
An Italian Carbonara focuses on three key things: cheese, eggs and bacon/pancetta/guanciale. It's practically breakfast for dinner. And since my take on a classic Spaghetti Carbonara is one of my most popular recipes, it only made sense to transform it into the most amazing risotto dish ever with little effort. I give you the most outrageous Risotto Carbonara, done to simple perfection.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 8 ounces diced pancetta (or guanciale or thick-cut bacon, diced)
- 2 large shallots, diced
- 1/4 cup dry white wine (like a Chardonnay - see Jeff's Tips)
- 3 cloves (1 tablespoon) garlic, minced or pressed
- 2 cups Arborio rice
- 4 3/4 cup garlic or chicken broth
- 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) salted butter, cut into 4 pats
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano (see Jeff’s Tips)
- 10-16 ounces frozen peas (optional)
Instructions
- Add the olive oil to the Instant Pot and hit Sauté and Adjust to the More or High setting. After 3 minutes of the oil heating, add the pancetta and sauté for 8-10 minutes, until beginning to crisp. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the pancetta to a paper towel-lined bowl, leaving all the oil and juices in the pot.
- Add the shallots and sauté for 3 minutes, until softened. Then, add the wine and deglaze (scrape) the bottom of the pot, freeing it from all the browning from the pancetta. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute more.
- Add the arborio rice and combine with everything. Then, add the broth and stir well. Secure the lid, move the valve to the sealing position, hit Cancel and then hit Manual or Pressure Cook on High Pressure for 6 minutes. Quick release when done.
- Meanwhile, in a bowl, whisk together the eggs, grated Parmesan, and salt. Set aside.
- When the lid’s off the pot, hit Cancel and then hit Sauté and Adjust to the More or High setting. Stir in the butter until melted and combined. Then, add the cream and nutmeg followed by the cheesy egg mixture. Cook stirring the risotto constantly until until the mixture cooks through, about 3-5 minutes. Hit Cancel to turn the pot off.
- Add the Pecorino Romano and return the pancetta to the pot. If using peas, add them now as well (NOTE: they will thaw and heat up within a minute of stirring in with the hot risotto). Once combined, serve immediately.
Jeffrey's Tips
Whether you choose diced pancetta (pork belly), guanciale (pork cheek/jowl) or thick-cut bacon, just make sure you sauté it long enough in Step 1 until fully cooked before removing with the slotted spoon.
If you don’t wish to use wine, pour in 1/4 cup of broth in Step 2 to deglaze.
If you don’t feel like getting Pecorino Romano for Step 6, you can certainly use another 1/2 cup of Parmesan.
Gail
Hi Jeffrey, I’m looking for veggie options to replace the pancetta. Any suggestions?
Brenda
I’ve had good results with a smoked tofu!! I substituted the pancetta in Pasta E Fagioli for smoke tofu last week (small dice 0.5cm cube) and it tasted amazing.
Janis Olsn
I made this for dinner last night. My husband, who calls rice “the dreaded rice” had 2 helpings of this IP risotto carbonara!! It was so delicious I could have taken a bath in it (as my Mom used to say).
I had all ingredients on hand, used bacon instead of pancetta. I also didn’t have Arborio so I used a premium short grained rice. I used the entire package of bacon including the drippings. I will make this again, but I will drain off a lot of the grease.
I HIGHLY recommend it!
Cynthia
This was superb! The whole family loved it especially my two kiddos! It was such a quick and easy dinner to make. It was so decadent even though I used half and half instead of heavy cream. Will make over and over again. Yummy 😋
Ron
Really good. I used bacon, as real deal pancetta was $4.50 an ounce at my local. My only suggestion is that the recipe calls for 2 cups of rice, which leaves about 1/4 cup in a 1 lb. bag, which isn’t going to be used anytime soon. I added another 1/2 cup of broth to finish off the bag. Maybe I should’ve gone for more wine?
E
Jeeeffffff! OMG! I have died and gone to heaven!
Ronni
Made this dish tonight used bacon it was great a little rich would prefer to use this as maybe a side dish to chicken pork entree! You knocked another one out of the park ⚾
Lisa
For me, this came out more on the sticky side rather than a saucy, silky texture. How can I remedy that when I reheat the leftovers? add some cream? butter?
Corinna
Amazing! My family absolutely loved it. Everyone had 2nd and 3rds with dinner. Thank you for another amazing dish. My whole family is always excited when I tell them we are having a Jeffrey dish for dinner and we have not been disappointed yet.
Jeffrey
You are so welcome – thrilled y’all enjoyed!