If you haven't made chili crisp (the popular Chinese condiment) a staple in your pantry or fridge, this super-simple pasta will sway you to make the move.
Instead of black pepper, this 30-minute carbonara swaps in chili crisp for a nuanced heat that leaves you licking your lips for more of the same glossy, silky-smooth sauce as classic pasta carbonara, but with a subtle kick of heat.
Despite "chili" being in the name, this chili crisp carbonara doesn't deliver so much heat that you'll be breathing fire like a dragon. There's definitely a kick of spice to the sauce, but it's more of a lip-smacking spice that will have you immediately reaching for another forkful of pasta (and another and another).
As a bonus, because there's no dairy in this recipe to separate when chilled in the fridge, any leftovers are absolutely divine warmed up in the microwave, then enjoyed topped with a fried egg.
With a short list of budget-friendly ingredients and a fast cooking time of just 30 minutes, this Italian-Asian fusion pasta is guaranteed to be a weeknight favorite.
Enjoy!
Heidi
