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    Home » Recipes » Pasta

    Creamy Salmon Carbonara with Mustard-Bourbon Candied Bacon

    Published: May 27, 2015 · Modified: Mar 5, 2023 by Jessie · This post may contain affiliate links; if you buy something we'll earn a commission at no cost to you.

    Jump to Recipe

    A tasty salmon carbonara recipe with candied bacon and spring peas. A fun twist on an Italian favorite!

    This post is sponsored by my friends at Saucy Mama.

    Spaghetti with salmon, peas, and bacon in a dark pot. this recipe

    I could never ever ever ever ever live without pasta. (My next sentence was going to be a list of things I maybe COULD live without, but then I had a lot of trouble coming up with a food I could live without that wasn't brussels sprouts, so we'll leave it at I could never ever ever ever ever live without pasta but also without anything that is not brussels sprouts. Or gin. I really hate gin. But we're getting off track here).

    Pasta on black serving plates in front of a large pasta pot.

    There are some days that I want pasta but don't want to go overboard, so I do things like lighten up cream sauces or leave out the cheese or (GASP) eat it with a side of SALAD.

    But friends? Today is not one of those days.

    Overhead view of several dark plates filled with pasta.

    Could you lighten up this pasta recipe? Sure. Totally. But I prefer to reserve it in all its cheesy, creamy glory for those special days when you're fancying something more decadent. Somethinggggggg...with cream. And bacon. And also salmon.

    Today is pasta with a side of carbs with a side of cheese with a side of food coma. And I'm loving it.

    Pasta topped with roasted salmon on a black plate.
    Serve with my easy, crusty french bread!

    This is a pretty simple creamy carbonara recipe when you get right down to it.

    And, yes, I knooooooooow that things like peas and salmon and candied bacon are not in a traditional carbonara, but I love the twist on this classic.

    The candied bacon adds a pop of sweetness to the dish, and the smoky, spicy flavor of mustard and bourbon comes through just enough to be interesting without overpowering the sauce.

    Basically, I am obsessed and ate almost all of it. By myself. For breakfast. #Sacrifice.

    Fork twirling a bite of carbonara on a black plate.
    Print
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    Spaghetti twirled into a pile on a black plate, in front of a large pot of pasta.

    Creamy Salmon Carbonara with Mustard-Bourbon Candied Bacon

    ★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews
    • Author: Jessie
    • Prep Time: 25 mins
    • Cook Time: 30 mins
    • Total Time: 55 minutes
    • Yield: Serves 4
    • Category: Pasta
    • Cuisine: Italian Inspired
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    An easy twist on pasta carbonara with salmon, spring peas, and candied bacon.


    Ingredients

    Scale

    FOR THE CANDIED BACON:

    • 4 strips thick cut bacon
    • 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
    • 2 tsp. bourbon
    • 2 tsp. dijon mustard

    FOR THE SALMON:

    • 6 oz. wild salmon
    • 1 Tbsp. dijon mustard
    • 1 tsp. brown sugar
    • 1 tsp. bourbon
    • salt and pepper to taste

    FOR THE PASTA:

    • ½ lb. spaghetti
    • 1 cup peas
    • 2 eggs
    • ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, plus extra for garnish
    • ⅓ cup heavy cream
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • ¼ cup parsley, chopped, for garnish

    Instructions

    FOR THE CANDIED BACON:

    1. Heat oven to 400 F.
    2. Toss bacon, brown sugar, bourbon, and dijon mustard together in a small bowl until all ingredients are combined and bacon strips are evenly coated with the mixture.
    3. Lay bacon in a single layer on a baking sheet. Line the baking sheet with a nonstick baking mat, parchment paper, or foil for easy cleanup.
    4. Bake for 10-15 minutes until bacon has caramelized and cooked through. Remove cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Once bacon has cooled a bit, give it a chop into bite-sized pieces and set aside.

    FOR THE SALMON:

    1. Whisk dijon mustard, brown sugar, bourbon, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl.
    2. Brush mustard mixture over salmon and bake at 400 F for 12-15 minutes until cooked through. Halfway through the cooking time, brush an additional coat of mustard mixture over the salmon.
    3. When salmon has cooked, let it cool for a minute then remove any skin and cut salmon into bite-sized pieces and set aside.

    FOR THE PASTA:

    1. Cook spaghetti in very salty water until al dente. Just before the spaghetti is done, add peas to the hot water so they cook as well.
    2. While the spaghetti cooks, whisk eggs, parmesan cheese, cream, salt, and pepper together in a medium bowl and set aside.
    3. When spaghetti is al dente, reserve ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta.
    4. Whisk two tablespoons of the pasta water into egg mixture to loosen it a bit and start the cooking process, then return pasta to pot and slowly pour the egg mixture into pasta, stirring constantly. Work quickly - you want the pasta to still be hot as you add the egg mixture so it cooks the eggs! Keep stirring pasta for a minute or so to ensure eggs are cooked. If the sauce is too thick, toss in a bit more pasta water (I add a couple of tablespoons at a time) to loosen it up.
    5. Add chopped bacon and salmon to pasta and stir to combine. Serve immediately and top with parsley and extra parmesan cheese for garnish.

    Notes

    If you're nervous about the eggs getting cooked, no worries! Leave the eggs out of the sauce but follow the rest of the directions as written, then top each serving of pasta with a poached egg. Break the egg and stir the pasta up when you eat it to get the same creaminess!

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: Serves 4
    • Calories: 522
    • Sugar: 9.4 g
    • Sodium: 320.9 mg
    • Fat: 20.9 g
    • Carbohydrates: 54.1 g
    • Protein: 25.9 g
    • Cholesterol: 141.9 mg

    Keywords: pasta, comfort food, seafood

    Tag @lifeasastrawberry on Instagram to show us what you're cooking! Nutrition information is calculated per serving; it is approximate and will vary based on many factors.

    More Easy Weeknight Pasta Recipes

    • 10 Easy Gnocchi Recipes for Weeknights
    • Creamy Mushroom Gnocchi
    • White Cheddar Arugula Pesto Mac and Cheese
    • Spicy Mac and Cheese

    I'm Jessie, and I like to talk about food. Tag your recipes #LifeAsAStrawberry on social media to share your creations! Learn about our team!

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    Reader Interactions

    Discussion

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    1. Amanda

      March 14, 2018 at 3:02 pm

      I don't have any bourbon. What would you recommend as a substitute? Or, can it just be left out?

      Reply
      • Jessie

        March 16, 2018 at 11:17 am

        You can use any bourbon/whiskey/rye you have on hand, or you can use a bit of water in its place!

        Reply
    2. Ash

      November 10, 2016 at 1:59 am

      Do you have an ideal substitute for the eggs? Thank you!

      Reply
      • Jessie

        November 22, 2016 at 9:45 am

        I haven't tested an egg-less carbonara, but you could certainly substitute a quick cream or alfredo sauce for the carbonara sauce!

        Reply
    3. Jessie

      July 13, 2015 at 7:39 pm

      Thanks, Cora! So glad you liked it!

      Reply
    4. Cora

      June 11, 2015 at 3:11 pm

      I loved it, even without the bacon! Next time I will try it in its full decadent glory!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    5. Annette

      June 01, 2015 at 11:25 pm

      My favorite recipe to indulge in is baked eggs in creamy leeks. It's so rich and easy to make, plus it's delicious.

      Reply
      • Jessie

        July 13, 2015 at 7:30 pm

        Ohhhhh, that sounds great! Do you have a favorite recipe? I'd love to try it!

        Reply
    6. Carolsue

      May 30, 2015 at 8:47 pm

      There are a lot of them, but just plain old spaghetti and meatballs are a favorite here! Also, Cajun Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo is another top pick!

      Reply
    7. David

      May 29, 2015 at 6:46 pm

      My favorite is baked macaroni and cheese. I love that golden brown layer of cheese.

      Reply
    8. Kate D.

      May 28, 2015 at 1:56 pm

      Lobster mac and cheese

      Reply
    9. Elizabeth Tarlow

      May 28, 2015 at 12:28 pm

      This Salmon Carbonara looks divine! I'll definitely be making it soon 🙂 As a matter of fact, one of my favorite indulgence recipes is the BARBECUE PULLED PORK WHITE CHEDDAR MAC & CHEESE that I got from you 🙂

      Reply
      • Jessie

        July 13, 2015 at 7:22 pm

        Thanks, Elizabeth! And I'm so glad you like that mac and cheese! It's one of my faaaaavorites - thanks for letting me know!

        Reply
    10. aastelling

      May 28, 2015 at 12:10 pm

      Hmmm- my favorite recipes to indulge in are always the breakfast ones! The salty ones, the sweet ones, makes no matter. Your drunk french toast recipe is my fav!

      Reply
      • Jessie

        July 13, 2015 at 7:21 pm

        Breakfast is the best! I'm so glad you like that french toast recipe - it's one of my favorites, too!

        Reply
    11. Ashley Kolpak

      May 28, 2015 at 6:25 am

      I like to indulge in any kind of delicious pasta dish!

      Reply
      • Jessie

        July 13, 2015 at 7:19 pm

        I'm right there with you - pasta all day, everyday!

        Reply
    12. enticinghealthyeating

      May 27, 2015 at 6:00 pm

      Mmm, you had me at pasta...haha! But the salmon in there takes the cake. Salmon is my favorite! I have heard of Saucy Mama but have yet to try their products. One of my most favorite dishes to indulge in anytime anywhere is pie. Apple pie, blueberry pie, banana cream pudding pie, sweet potato pie...I love pie!

      Reply
      • Jessie

        July 13, 2015 at 7:18 pm

        Thanks, Kaylin! I loooooooove the salmon in this pasta. And yummmmm for pie!

        Reply
    13. WhitBit's Indian Kitchen

      May 27, 2015 at 2:05 pm

      Oh. My. God. You had me at candied bacon.
      This looks TO DIE FOR!
      BTW - Where'd you get those forks?!?

      Reply
      • Jessie

        May 27, 2015 at 2:38 pm

        Thanks! The forks are from Sur La Table!

        Reply

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