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Air Fryer Carbonara Mac and Cheese

Name: Air Fryer Carbonara Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 12 ounce pasta ( such as mini pasta shells or elbow macaro); 4 ounces pancetta (chopped); 3 large eggs (divided); 1 tablespoon butter unsalted; 2 cloves garlic (minced); 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 2 cups milk; 1 teaspoon salt (to taste); 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (to taste); ¼ teaspoon nutmeg ground; 1½ cups Gruyere cheese (shredded); 1½ cups white cheddar cheese (shredded); 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)

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Air Fryer Carbonara Mac and Cheese –Welcome to a culinary fusion! Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with our innovative twist on two beloved classics: Carbonara and Mac and Cheese.

With the magic of the air fryer, we’ve combined creamy cheese sauce, crispy bacon, and perfectly cooked pasta to create an indulgent, comforting, and irresistibly crispy dish. Join us on a flavor journey as we delve into the world of Air-Fried Carbonara Mac and Cheese—a dish that’s sure to become a new favorite at your dinner table!

If you love all things Macaroni and Cheese, try some of my favorite recipes: air fryer cracker barrel macaroni and cheese, air fryer macaroni and cheese muffins, and ninja foodi boxed macaroni and cheese.

Easy Carbonara Mac and Cheese Recipe

Satisfy your comfort food cravings with our Easy Carbonara Mac and Cheese Recipe. This delightful fusion dish combines the creamy richness of traditional mac and cheese with the irresistible flavors of carbonara.

Cooked pasta is enveloped in a luscious sauce made from eggs, Parmesan cheese, and crispy bacon, creating a velvety texture and delightful taste. Garlic and black pepper add depth and complexity to the dish, while fresh parsley provides a vibrant finishing touch.

With minimal ingredients and straightforward steps, this Carbonara Mac and Cheese is a simple yet indulgent meal perfect for any occasion. Treat yourself to a comforting bowl today!

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

Velvety Texture: Indulge in a creamy and luxurious mac and cheese experience that’s irresistibly smooth and velvety.
Flavorful Fusion: Enjoy the harmonious blend of classic carbonara flavors with the comforting goodness of mac and cheese, creating a delicious dish.
Easy Preparation: This recipe is easy to prepare, with simple ingredients and straightforward instructions. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.
Crispy Bacon: Savor the crispy, salty bacon goodness mixed throughout the creamy pasta, adding an extra layer of texture and flavor.
Family Favorite: Delight your loved ones with a hearty, satisfying meal that will become a new family favorite.
Versatile Dish: You can customize your Carbonara Mac and Cheese with additional toppings or ingredients to suit your taste preferences, making it a versatile and adaptable recipe for any occasion.

Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Carbonara Mac and Cheese

With these easy ingredients, you can make this fantastic Air-Fried Carbonara Macaroni and Cheese recipe. It combines the creamy comfort of classic macaroni and cheese with the bold flavors of carbonara.

Remember the step-by-step directions and detailed ingredient list are below, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, as well as the nutritional information.

Pasta: Provides the base for this indulgent dish; use mini pasta shells or elbow macaroni.
Bacon or Panchetta: Crispy and savory, adding a delightful crunch and smoky flavor to the creamy pasta.
Eggs: Creating the rich and velvety sauce that coats each strand of pasta with decadence.
All-purpose flour: Used to create a roux, which serves as the base for the creamy sauce.
Milk: Provides the liquid component for the sauce, contributing to the dish’s creamy texture and richness.
Butter: Adds the creaminess to the sauce.
Gruyere Cheese Shredded and White Cheddar Shredded Cheese: Both cheeses add a nutty and salty undertone to the dish, enhancing its savory profile.
Garlic: Minced and sautéed to release its aromatic flavor, adding depth and complexity to the sauce.
Kosher Salt: Enhances the flavor profile of the dish.
Black Pepper: Freshly ground for a subtle kick of heat that perfectly complements the dish’s creamy texture.
Nutmeg Ground: Adds a subtle warmth and depth of flavor to the sauce, complementing the richness of the cheese and bacon in the carbonara mac and cheese.
Fresh Parsley: Finely chop it to garnish the mac and cheese, giving each bite a pop of color and a hint of freshness.

How To Make Carbonara Mac and Cheese In Air Fryer

Here are the steps to make homemade Carbonara Mac and Cheese in the air fryer.

Cook pasta according to package instructions. You can use gluten-free pasta, low-carb pasta, or keto pasta.

Add the pancetta to a saucepan and cook until it browns. Remove the pancetta from the pan and place over paper towels to soak up some of the fat. Separate the eggs and whisk the egg whites until stiff peaks form. In another bowl, whisk the egg yolks and set aside.

Melt the butter in the saucepan. Add the minced garlic and cook until it starts foaming and becomes aromatic, about a minute. Sprinkle the flour over the garlic and stir. Whisk in the milk and cook until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a wooden spoon. Season the sauce with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.

Add half the gruyere and half the cheddar cheese to the sauce and continue whisking until the cheese melts. Temper the egg yolks by adding a ladle of the sauce at a time to the egg yolks and whisking them; add about 3 ladles of sauce altogether. You want to do this to avoid the eggs from scrambling when adding them to the cheese sauce.

Stir the egg yolk mixture back into the cheese sauce, then remove it from heat. Fold the egg whites into the cheese sauce. Add the pasta to the sauce and toss gently.

Start layering the casserole. First, add half of the pasta coated in sauce to the prepared baking dish. Then sprinkle half of the pancetta over the pasta, followed by half of the remaining gruyere and half of the remaining cheddar. Now, add the rest of the pasta, pancetta, and cheese.

Air fry at 330 degrees F for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.

Pro Tips

Ensure your pasta is cooked al dente: Overcooked pasta can become mushy when combined with the sauce, so aim for a firm yet tender texture.
Use freshly grated cheese: Freshly grated cheese melts more smoothly and evenly, resulting in a creamier sauce for your Carbonara Mac and Cheese.
Add the cheese gradually: Adding cheese slowly while stirring continuously helps prevent clumping and ensures a silky smooth sauce.
Reserve some bacon fat: After cooking the bacon, reserve some of the rendered fat to add depth and flavor to the sauce.
Experiment with cheese variations: While Gruyere and white cheddar are traditional choices, feel free to experiment with other cheeses like Parmesan, fontina, or Asiago for unique flavor profiles.
Don’t skip the nutmeg. Nutmeg adds a subtle warmth and depth of flavor to the dish, enhancing the Carbonara Mac and Cheese’s overall richness.

Faq’s

Can I use pre-shredded cheese for this recipe? While pre-shredded cheese can be convenient, it may contain anti-caking agents that affect the sauce’s texture. Freshly shredded cheese is recommended for the best results.

Can I make this dish ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare the Carbonara Mac and Cheese ahead of time and reheat it in the Air Fryer when ready to serve. Just be sure to store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Can I use different types of pasta? Absolutely! While traditional carbonara uses spaghetti, you can experiment with other pasta shapes, such as penne, rigatoni, or fusilli, to change up the texture and presentation of the dish.

Can I omit the bacon for a vegetarian version? Yes, you can. To enhance the flavor profile, you may want to add extra seasoning or umami-rich ingredients like mushrooms.

How can I prevent the sauce from curdling? To prevent the sauce from curdling, ensure the heat is low when adding the cheese and milk. Gradually incorporate the cheese into the sauce while stirring constantly to maintain a smooth consistency.

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