Carbonara Pasta Bake

A simple and easy-to-follow recipe to make a classic Italian favourite - carbonara pasta bake. Definitely a go-to to get your Italian fix!

Yield: 4 Servings
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Difficulty Level: 1/5

Ingredients

• 4 pasta nests (see tip below)
• 2 cups thickened cream
• 2 cups milk
• ¾ cup parmesan, grated
• ¼ cup parsley leaves, chopped, plus extra leaves to serve
• 200 g ham, thinly sliced
• ¾ cup cheddar cheese, grated

Steps

01. Preheat oven to moderately slow, 160 C. Place one pasta nest each in 4 x 1½ cup ovenproof ramekins.

02. In a large, heatproof jug, combine cream, milk and parmesan. Microwave 4-5 mins, until hot. Season to taste. Stir parsley through. Pour over pasta in ramekins. Cover tightly with foil and bake 20 mins, until sauce thickens and pasta is tender.

03. Remove foil and scatter evenly with ham and cheddar. Bake, uncovered, 10-15 mins, until cheese is melted and golden. Sprinkle with extra parsley to serve.

Top Tip: A pasta nest is made with cooked pasta, by lining a bowl or ramekin to form a "nest" shape. Sprinkle bake with sweet spices like nutmeg or cinnamon.Photo: Rodney Macuja/Bauer