Pork Belly Pasta is an easy recipe with just 5 simple ingredients (plus salt and pepper). Make this creamy pork belly carbonara with crispy leftover pork belly, and you’ll have a delicious dinner the whole family will love. Why not try this pork belly Italian-inspired recipe tonight? I’ll also share lots of other leftover pork belly recipes you’re sure to enjoy!

🍝 Pork Belly Pasta

Here are the ingredients you need to make the best pork belly pasta recipe:

• 4 ounces cooked and diced pork belly (113 grams; I used precooked Costco pork belly, but leftover pork belly works great too)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 large eggs
• 2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, packed (plus more for serving)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 12 ounces spaghetti noodles, dry (340 grams)

Get a printable recipe card at the end of the post!

The cheese you use in pork carbonara makes a huge difference to the recipe results. Our tests revealed that the inexpensive parm from a discount store didn’t really cut it here. If you want the best flavor, real Italian Parmigiano Reggiano is the way to go.

On the other hand, we feel you can get away with using cheap spaghetti if it’s cooked to al dente. (I know some will disagree, and you’re welcome to use whatever pasta you love that fits your budget.)

The hot pasta is used to cook the egg in this creamy pork belly carbonara sauce. If you’re worried about the possibility of consuming undercooked egg white, substitute the whole eggs in this recipe with 4-5 egg yolks. Some prefer making carbonara with whole eggs, some use only egg yolks, and others prefer a mix of the two. You could also use pasteurized shell eggs.

Pork belly is extremely fatty, so you shouldn’t need olive oil or another oil for this recipe.

Pork Belly Carbonara Substitutions

This is a no cream carbonara sauce, similar to how it’s made in Italy. Americans often add heavy cream to carbonara, and you can do that if you’d prefer. We felt that this recipe didn’t need the cream as long as you use high-quality Parmesan cheese.

You can also add cooked chopped onion to the recipe if you’d like. I would add it in while I’m heating the pork belly and garlic. Another variation is to add sauteed mushrooms for a pork belly and mushroom pasta. If you’d like a spicy kick, sprinkle on red pepper flakes before serving.

➕ Pork Belly Carbonara Recipe

Here are step-by-step instructions on how to make pasta with pork belly:

1. Dice the pork belly, mince the garlic. Cook the pork belly and garlic in a skillet or pan over medium heat until the pork belly becomes crisp and releases some pork fat.

2. While you sauté the pork belly, whisk the eggs, Parmesan, salt, and pepper together in a large bowl. Set this carbonara sauce aside.

3. In a separate pot, boil water and cook the pasta to al dente according to the package directions. (Refer to my how long to cook spaghetti post for cooking times for pasta. My spaghetti took 10 minutes.)

4. Drain the pasta, saving approximately one cup of the pasta water. Put the pasta back into the hot pasta pot and immediately stir the egg mixture into the hot pasta. Add some hot pasta water if needed to make it creamy. (I didn’t need any last time, but a little chicken broth or dry white wine may also be used.)

5. Toss the pork belly into the pasta and serve immediately with more Parm and lots of black pepper. (I usually don’t add more salt because the pork belly tends to be salty.) Enjoy your tasty pork belly and pasta!

🥓 What is the name of the pork in carbonara?

The name of the pork in carbonara is typically “pancetta” or sometimes “guanciale.” Both are Italian cured pork products that add a rich and savory flavor to the classic pasta dish. Pancetta is more widely available and is often used as a substitute for guanciale, which is made from cured pork jowl and has a slightly different taste and texture.

What meat is good in carbonara?

Traditionally, we make carbonara with pancetta or guanciale, which add a rich and savory flavor to the dish. However, some variations of carbonara may include other meats like uncured pork belly, bacon (which is essentially cured pork belly), or even chicken for a different twist on the classic recipe.

FAQs

What goes with pork belly?

Pork belly pairs well with a variety of flavors and ingredients. Some popular pairings include apple, fennel, garlic, soy sauce, ginger, and various herbs and spices. Aside from pork and pasta, it can be served with salads, in tacos, with rice, or even in sandwiches.

How do you cook pork belly so it’s not tough?

To cook pork belly that’s not tough, use a marinade and a slow cooking method to help tenderize the meat. After slow cooking, finish under high heat to crisp up the skin for a delightful contrast in texture.

👩🏻‍🍳 More Pork Belly Recipes

What else is pork belly good in? After you try my crispy pork belly pasta, make these other pork belly recipes and find out!

• Pork Belly Fried Rice
• Air Fryer Pork Belly
• Pork Belly Ragu

Some other ideas for simple Italian belly pork main courses include using your favorite marinara (or another tomato-based sauce) for a pork belly tomato pasta. Or make a pork belly cream sauce using American alfredo sauce.

Alternatively, give pork belly pasta some Korean flair by flavoring it with chopped kimchi. You can make any of these into a pork belly pasta bake in the oven instead of a stovetop pasta dish.

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