Carbonara Risotto: A Deliciously Simple Weeknight Wonder!

Name: Carbonara Risotto
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 cup Arborio Rice; 4 cups Chicken or Vegetable Broth; 4 oz Pancetta or Bacon, Diced; 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese; 1/2 cup Onion, Finely Chopped; 2 Cloves Garlic, Minced; 2 Large Eggs; Salt and Pepper to Taste; Fresh Parsley, Chopped (for Garnish)

Posted on February 14, 2026

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This Carbonara Risotto comes together in about 30 minutes and is made all in one pot for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that your family will love! Switch up the ingredients to suit your taste or use it as a “clean out the fridge” meal to get rid of leftovers and odds and ends!

Key Ingredients

1 cup Arborio Rice
4 cups Chicken or Vegetable Broth
4 oz Pancetta or Bacon, Diced
1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
1/2 cup Onion, Finely Chopped
2 Cloves Garlic, Minced
2 Large Eggs
Salt and Pepper to Taste
Fresh Parsley, Chopped (for Garnish)

How to Make This Carbonara Risotto

Warm Broth: In a saucepan, heat the chicken or vegetable broth over low heat and keep it warm.
Cook Pancetta: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the pancetta or bacon until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove it from the pan, leaving the delicious fat behind!
Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes until it gets soft and translucent. Then, toss in the garlic and cook until fragrant, just a minute or so!
Toast Rice: Add the Arborio rice and toast it for about 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently. You want the rice to get nice and slightly translucent.
Gradually Add Broth: Now, here’s the key: gradually add the warm broth one ladle at a time, stirring constantly and letting it absorb before adding more. This should take about 18-20 minutes. The texture should be creamy and the rice al dente.
Check for Doneness: Before you finish, check that the rice is tender but still has a slight bite to it.
Whisk Eggs & Cheese: In a bowl, whisk together the eggs and Parmesan cheese until combined. This is going to add a rich creaminess to your risotto!
Combine: Quickly stir the egg and cheese mixture into the risotto, making sure it’s all well combined. The heat from the risotto will slightly cook the eggs and create a lovely creamy texture.
Add Pancetta & Season: Fold in the crispy pancetta and season with a couple pinches of salt and pepper to taste.
Serve: Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan if you like, because who doesn’t want more cheese?

Why I Love This Recipe

This is my go-to recipe when I’m racing against the clock and need something delicious on the table. Seriously, making this Carbonara Risotto brings me so much joy. You know those days when you just need comfort food that feels fancy without actually being high maintenance? Yeah, this is it! I’m a real sucker for that creamy goodness that just wraps around you like a warm hug. And the best part is, you can use whatever you’ve got on hand!

If you loved this risotto, be sure to check out my Tasty Caramelized Onion Risotto, my Japanese Style Risotto with Seared Salmon, or my Gordon Ramsay Butternut Squash Risotto!

Why This Recipe Works

Quick & Easy

This risotto comes together in under 30 minutes, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights. It’s simple, wholesome comfort food ready in a flash!

One Pot Wonder

Cleanup is a breeze because everything cooks in one pot! You save time and effort when you have fewer dishes to wash.

Customizable

The best part is you can adjust this recipe based on what’s in your fridge. Got some leftover veggies? Toss ’em in! You can mix this up endlessly.

Comfortable Flavors

This is like a warm hug on a plate, creamy, cheesy, and deliciously savory. Every bite is packed with flavor that your family will adore!

Budget-Friendly

Using a few affordable ingredients makes this dish kind to your wallet while still giving you that comfort food experience.

Serving and Storage Tips

Serving Suggestions

Serve this risotto as a standalone dish or pair it with a light side salad or some steamed broccoli to add some greenery to your meal. I like to serve a nice, crusty bread on the side. Perfect for mopping up those yummy bits!

Storage

Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. However, because risotto tends to thicken as it cools, you might need to add a splash of broth or water when reheating.

Reheating Instructions

The best method to reheat this risotto is on the stove over medium heat, adding a bit of broth or water to get that creamy consistency back. Stir occasionally until heated through.

Freezing Friendly

While I don’t typically recommend freezing risotto due to its texture, if you do freeze, make sure it’s in an airtight container. Just know that you might lose some of the creaminess.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a quintessential weeknight dinner that’s quick, easy, and absolutely delicious, this Carbonara Risotto is where it’s at! It’s comforting, customizable, and always a hit at the family table.

So, there you have it! Give this recipe a try, and let me know how it turns out. What’s your favorite twist or add-in when you’re making risotto? I’d love to hear! Happy cooking, friends! For more Recipes Follow Us in our Pinterest.