It's always a good idea to have a couple of 10 minute meal ideas in your back pocket and this Spaghetti with Spicy Prosciutto and Pecorino is a favorite of mine. It's a nod to carbonara but we're spicing it up with this spicy prosciutto spread that adds a bit of heat and rich umami that elevates your weeknight pasta dish.
I've usually seen this spicy prosciutto spread on crostini served with cheese, but then I thought: this has to work in a pasta dish too. And it really does! Scroll down to see how we make it and print the recipe card to have on hand for your own fast dinner idea.
Why This Spaghetti with Spicy Prosciutto Recipe Works
We take the basics of the classic carbonara recipes and add a spicy twist with this delicious spicy prosciutto spread. You can find 'Nduja at your local Italian deli, market, or cheese shop. You can also purchase it online from La Quercia which ships nationwide.
Ingredients for this Spaghetti with Spicy Prosciutto and Pecorino
This pasta dish is beyond easy to whip up and requires a near handful of ingredients:
- 1 pound dried spaghetti. This will serve about 4 people generously and also helps for making delicious leftovers.
- 4 egg yolks. This makes the base of our creamy sauce like a carbonara. General rule is to use one yolk per person.
- 2 cups grated pecorino Romano. If you don't have pecorino, grated parmesan will also work well here.
- 1 tablespoon spicy prosciutto spread. The star of the show. Start small and add more as your taste prefers.
- Garnish options: chopped fresh herbs e.g., chives, basil, and/or parsley
How to Make This Spaghetti Dinner
Countdown to a dinner that's ready in mere minutes! Here's how we make it:
- Bring a pot of water to boil and season with a couple hefty pinches of kosher salt. Once the water is boiling, add in your spaghetti and cook until al dente, about 6-8 minutes.
- While the pasta cooks, whisk together your egg yolks in a large bowl. Add your grated cheese and mix together to make a cheesy paste that will be the sauce base. Add in your spicy prosciutto spread and mix until well combined.
- Once your pasta is al dente, strain and add it to your bowl with the spicy prosciutto mixture, reserving about ¾ cup of pasta water and adding in a ¼ cup of pasta water to the bowl at a time, stirring to create a sauce that coats your pasta. Ladle pasta into bowls, top with a little more pecorino and some chopped herbs (parsley, basil and/or chives work well here). Then—dig in!
More Delicious Pasta Options for Simple Dinners
Pasta is a great option for fast weeknights and I love playing with so many different varieties and variations. If you're looking for easy weeknight pasta dinners that are ready in minutes, check out a few of my favorites here:
- Quick 20 Minute Pasta Dinner With Zucchini
- Simple Weeknight Pesto Pasta with Sausage and Peas
- Vegetarian Pasta with Sauteed Swiss Chard
Spaghetti with Spicy Prosciutto and Pecorino
Ingredients
- 1 lb spaghetti
- 4 egg yolks
- 2 cups grated pecorino Romano
- 1 tablespoon spicy prosciutto spread
- Garnish options: chopped fresh herbs e.g., chives, basil, and/or parsley
Instructions
- Bring a pot of water to boil and season with a couple hefty pinches of kosher salt. Once the water is boiling, add in your spaghetti and cook until al dente, about 6-8 minutes.
- While the pasta cooks, whisk together your egg yolks in a large bowl. Add your grated cheese and mix together to make a cheesy paste that will be the sauce base. Add in your spicy prosciutto spread and mix until well combined.
- Once your pasta is al dente, strain and add it to your bowl with the spicy prosciutto mixture, reserving about ¾ cup of pasta water and adding in a ¼ cup of pasta water to the bowl at a time, stirring to create a sauce that coats your pasta. Ladle pasta into bowls, top with a little more pecorino and some chopped herbs (parsley, basil and/or chives work well here). Then—dig in!
