Easy Carbonara Nests
Did you know you can prepare your creamy carbonara recipe in a muffin pan? This method is simple, fun and creates perfectly portioned pasta nests. It’s a new way to enjoy a classic Italian pasta dish.
- Preheat oven to 425°. Lightly butter a 12-cup muffin pan.
- Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add pancetta and cook until golden brown, about 6 minutes. Set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
- In a large bowl, stir together the cream, 1/2 cup cheese, nutmeg and paprika. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- With a slotted spoon, scoop the pasta from the hot water directly into the cream mixture. Stir well to coat. Mix in the pancetta. If cream begins to clump, add a little of the hot pasta cooking water. Let sit for 5 minutes.
- Using tongs, transfer a small amount of the pasta mixture and arrange it in a muffin cup, forming a spiral as you place it. Repeat with the remaining pasta, filling all of the cups. Pour any leftover cream into the cups.
- Create a small indentation in the center of each cup and sprinkle the remaining cheese amount the nests.
- Bake nests until they become golden and bubbly, about 10 minutes. Remove the muffin pan from the oven. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F.
- Crack a quail egg into each nest and bake for another minute. Once cooked, remove from heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Remove from pan and serve garnished with chopped olives.