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    Home » Recipes » Pasta Recipes

    Carbonara with Pan Seared Scallops

    February 9, 2013 by Laureen King

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    Carbonara with Pan Seared Scallops quick and easy to make. Ready in under 30 minutes with perfectly seared scallops and delicious, creamy carbonara pasta. via @artandthekitchCarbonara with Pan Seared Scallops quick and easy to make. Ready in under 30 minutes with perfectly seared scallops and delicious, creamy carbonara pasta. via @artandthekitchCarbonara with Pan Seared Scallops quick and easy to make. Ready in under 30 minutes with perfectly seared scallops and delicious, creamy carbonara pasta. via @artandthekitch
    Carbonara with Pan Seared Scallops is one of my favourite recipes! Ready in under 30 minutes with perfectly seared scallops and delicious carbonara pasta.
    linguine pasta in a creamy carbonara sauce topped with pan seared scallops and green onion slices.
    I finally did it, tackled my fear of cooking scallops. I've been watching "Hells Kitchen" for several seasons now and watching Gordon Ramsay throw countless hysterics over scallops, I stayed away. The few times in my life I did try my scallops were a complete disaster; dry and rubbery. My problem was I always over cooked them for fear of poisoning someone. Time to take up the challenge. This recipe for Carbonara with Pan Seared Scallops is amazing, and is so quick and easy to make!
    linguine pasta in a creamy carbonara sauce topped with pan seared scallops and green onion slices.

    I bought some very large beautiful scallops, looked through countless videos on YouTube and started my cooking adventure. Using good quality non-stick frying pan worked best for searing the scallops.

    linguine pasta in a creamy carbonara sauce topped with pan seared scallops and green onion slices.

    I decided on Pasta Carbonara to pair with my scallops. This is such a quick and simple recipe with  gourmet flavour, an all-time favourite of mine. This entire dish can be whipped up in less than 30 minutes; a gourmet meal that you would be proud to serve to company!

    linguine pasta in a creamy carbonara sauce topped with pan seared scallops and green onion slices.

    linguine pasta in a creamy carbonara sauce topped with pan seared scallops and green onion slices.

    Carbonara with Pan Seared Scallops

    Laureen King
    Perfectly seared scallops served with a quick and simple carbonara pasta.
    4.16 from 222 votes
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    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 878 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • Ingredients for Scallops
    • 12-16 large scallops 3-4 per person
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil
    • 2 tablespoon butter
    • Salt and Pepper
    • Ingredients for Carbonara
    • 8 slices thick cut bacon diced I try to find bacon with less fat, or cut away excess fat
    • 1 shallot finely sliced
    • 1 clove garlic leave whole
    • 4 green onions
    • 2 egg yolks
    • ½ cup heavy cream
    • 1 cup parmigiano reggiano grated
    • fresh ground pepper
    • 14 oz (400g) pasta of your choice -I used Linguine

    Instructions
     

    • Pasta Carbonara
    • Start cooking pasta in large stainless steel pot.
    • In small bowl mix together cream, egg yolks and ¾ of cheese.
    • In large skillet cook bacon until crisp, add shallots and ½ green onions.
    • Smash down garlic clove a bit, add to bacon. (remove prior to adding pasta)
    • When pasta is finished cooking, drain well, then add to skillet of bacon.
    • Toss well, then transfer to large bowl.
    • Add cream mixture to pasta and combined well. Make sure pasta is still hot in order to cook the eggs and melt the cheese.
    • Arrange pasta on plate, top with seared scallops, add some fresh ground pepper, grated parmesan, and green onions.
    • Perfect Pan Seared Scallops
    • Blot scallops with paper towel to remove any water. Salt and pepper.
    • Heat large non-stick frying pan, add 2 tablespoons olive oil.
    • Make sure frying pan is hot before adding scallops but not smoking.
    • Add scallops leaving plenty of space between. Overcrowding the pan will drop the pan temperature and cause scallops to steam rather than sear. (may have to do in batches)
    • Sear for about 2-4 minutes or when bottom is a nice golden brown. Don't move them around in the pan or you will prevent them from forming that nice brown crust. After a couple of minutes have peek under to see if golden brown.
    • Turn to sear other side. (about 1-3 more minutes)
    • Add 2 tablespoons of butter to pan now.
    • Spoon the melted butter over the scallops as the other side finishes cooking.
    • Transfer to paper towel covered plate.
    • Keep warm in oven, if making in batches.

    Notes

    This recipe tastes best served VERY fresh, so don't let it sit or Scallops and Pasta dry out quickly . Have ALL your ingredients and pots ready to go to make easy work of this.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 878kcalCarbohydrates: 80gProtein: 35gFat: 45gSaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 202mgSodium: 917mgPotassium: 509mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 985IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 359mgIron: 2.3mg
    Keyword scallops, carbonara
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Step by Step Photo Instructions

    ingredients to make carbonara, red bowls of parmesan cheese, cream, 2 eggs, olive oil, pasta, and chopped up bacon, green onion and shallots.
    This gourmet dish comes together in less than 30 minutes.

    frying pan with pan seared bacon, shallots, garlic and green onions

    Brown bacon, shallots, green onion and garlic.

    measuring cup filled with eggs and cream.
    Stir together cream, parmesan and egg yolks.

    skillet with cooked linguine pasta tossed with bacon and onions

    Stir cooked pasta into bacon, onions and garlic.

    stainless steel mixing bowl filled with linguine, tossed in carbonara sauce

    Toss hot pasta together with cream, cheese, and egg mixture.

    Scallops - Pat dry, sear until golden brown in hot olive oil, turn, add butter, spoon over top as other side cooks.

    three raw scallops on decorative plate

    Three golden brown scallops frying in pan. Be sure to follow me and get my latest recipes on Pinterest, Instagram Facebook and Twitter.
    Enjoy another of my delicious seafood recipe Pasta with Shrimp and White Wine Sauce.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. CarolAnn

      March 17, 2019 at 1:06 pm

      I just made this recipe and it's a keeper! I used Silk natural coffee creamer in place of the heavy cream and also added a ladleful of the pasta cooking water and was very creamy. I also had leftover fresh peas and tossed those in. His was a great dish and your instructions were clear and concise. Thank you for a wonderful recipe!

      Reply
      • Laureen King

        March 23, 2019 at 6:35 pm

        Glad you enjoyed the recipe CarolAnn, great adaptations you made.

        Reply
    2. Lupe M

      August 15, 2019 at 7:09 am

      5 stars
      This is a go to meal at my house. Since I make it quite often, I substituted the scallops for shrimp since it’s less expensive. Great recipe! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Laureen King

        August 16, 2019 at 8:15 am

        Thanks Lupe, I make this recipe with shrimp a lot as well. So glad you and your family enjoy it.

        Reply
    3. Linda

      January 10, 2020 at 9:23 am

      5 stars
      Delicious! Hubby really liked it. I used smoked applewood bacon cuz I had it on hand.

      Reply
    4. Shelley

      February 14, 2020 at 5:35 pm

      5 stars
      I just made this tonight for my husband for Valentine's and it was amazing. I will try with shrimp next time.
      Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Laureen King

        February 18, 2020 at 5:33 pm

        You're husband is a lucky man Shelley that you took the time to make him something special for Valentines. S happy you both enjoyed the recipe. I've made this recipe many times with shrimp and it is terrific.

        Reply
    5. Gayla

      May 25, 2020 at 5:29 pm

      5 stars
      This was fantastic! Only thing I added was two hand fulls of chopped baby kale in with the bacon mixture and a splash of white wine. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Laureen King

        May 26, 2020 at 7:19 pm

        Thank you Gayla, baby kale is a great addition, yum!

        Reply
    6. Ashley

      June 17, 2020 at 4:21 pm

      Was very delicious!!! Only thing, I like creamy pasta so will definitely make a little extra sauce!

      Reply
    7. Bonnie

      July 11, 2020 at 5:38 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious. Fresh wild caught scallops. I wanted a special recipe to compliment these scallops. Met my expectations. Thank you

      Reply
      • Laureen King

        July 14, 2020 at 7:37 am

        Thank you Bonnie!!

        Reply
    8. Alex

      July 14, 2020 at 8:16 pm

      5 stars
      So good! It’s a keeper!

      Reply
      • Laureen King

        July 17, 2020 at 8:24 am

        Thanks Alex!

        Reply
    9. Linda

      August 26, 2020 at 11:51 pm

      5 stars
      Perfect combination of carbonara and scallops. Loved it!

      Reply
      • Laureen King

        September 03, 2020 at 10:54 am

        Appreciate it Linda for taking the time to rate and comment on my recipe!

        Reply
    10. Kathy

      December 16, 2020 at 2:05 pm

      5 stars
      Made this a while back. Loved it and will be making it again this week.

      Reply
      • Laureen King

        December 18, 2020 at 6:33 pm

        Thank you Kathy!!

        Reply
    11. Keith

      February 20, 2021 at 8:06 am

      4 stars
      Recipe had a good flavor, but spaghetti a little too dry. I would add more cream or milk for a little more sauce with the spaghetti next time. I also added mushrooms, 2 tsps of tomato paste and 1/2 cup of red wine after the bacon, shallots and green onions sautéed.

      Reply
    12. TRICIA

      August 01, 2022 at 12:00 pm

      5 stars
      I've been making this recipe for years. This is one of my family's favorite recipes. I make it with rotisserie chicken because we eat this on the regular. Quick and easy. So creamy and delicious. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
    « Older Comments

    Trackbacks

    1. Seafood Frenzy Friday Week #50 - Carrie’s Experimental Kitchen says:
      April 2, 2020 at 9:25 am

      […] Carbonara with Pan Seared Scallops […]

      Reply
    2. Rich Carbonara with Pan Seared Scallops — Thoughts of Grey Eyes says:
      September 20, 2020 at 8:00 am

      […] For weeks I’ve been wanting to take the plunge in my cooking journey and attempt the challenge of cooking scallops. I found plenty of recipes, but just couldn’t pull the trigger. They’re certainly not cheap, so I wanted to find the “right” recipe for my first attempt, especially knowing that I would be reviewing it as well.When writing these reviews I always want to be conscious of three things: Budget, Difficulty, and Flavor. I also want to continue to challenge myself, because that’s the beauty of it. Learning from each attempt and building our mental recipe cook. Have you done something this year that really challenged you?Well, let’s get to it! Today’s review comes from Art and the Kitchen.You can find the recipe right -> here! […]

      Reply

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