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Delicious melty cabbage pasta carbonara served in a bowl, topped with grated Pecorino cheese and fresh parsley.
Alyssa

Melty Cabbage Pasta Carbonara

Swap out half of the pasta for tender ribbons of caramelized cabbage.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Main Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 447

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 can or jar (2-3 ounces) anchovy fillets do not drain
  • 1 medium green cabbage (about 1.5 to 2 pounds, cored and sliced into shreds)
  • 2.5 teaspoons kosher salt divided
  • 8 ounces dry spaghetti
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 1 ounce Pecorino Romano cheese (about 2/3 cup finely grated or 1/2 cup store-bought grated), plus more for serving
  • 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper plus more for serving
  • 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest (from 1 large lemon)
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • finely chopped fresh parsley leaves (optional)

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add anchovy fillets and their oil. Cook until the anchovies dissolve into a loose paste, about 2 minutes.
  3. Add sliced cabbage and kosher salt. Stir well, cover, and cook for 5 minutes. Stir and cook for another 5 minutes. Uncover and continue to cook until the cabbage is very soft, about 5 more minutes.
  4. While cabbage is cooking, add spaghetti and remaining kosher salt to the boiling water. Cook according to package directions until just al dente, about 8 to 12 minutes.
  5. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, egg yolks, Pecorino Romano cheese, black pepper, and a pinch of kosher salt. Slowly stream in pasta cooking water while whisking constantly.
  6. Transfer spaghetti to the skillet, add some pasta water, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Toss until well-coated.
  7. While tossing, slowly pour egg mixture into the skillet and cook on the lowest heat until the sauce thickens and coats the pasta, about 1 to 2 minutes.
  8. Taste and season with more salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately with chopped parsley, more grated Pecorino, and black pepper.

Notes

This dish swaps traditional pasta for cabbage, adding a unique twist to carbonara.