Cream or no cream? Carbonara sauce debate heats up

It’s an age-old debate: should carbonara sauce be made with or without cream? Taste takes a look at both sides — and you get to decide for yourself in our poll.

We’ve settled the cream versus no cream carbonara debate once and for all with the ultimate recipe, and we’re warning you, it’s about to ruffle some feathers.

There are two types of people in this world. Those who use cream in their carbonara, and those who don’t (and feel very strongly about it).

In fact, there’s a valid reason why ‘no cream carbonara’ advocates are so passionate about their stance … because traditional Italian carbonara doesn’t actually consist of any cream. Yep, that’s right, no cream, whatsoever. Mind. Blown.

Taste.com.au food director, Amira Georgy, confirmed this, saying: “Traditionally, carbonara sauce contains no cream, just eggs and cheese. The eggs and cheese are added to the hot pasta and tossed together until a silky sauce forms.”

Now, we’re warning you that a super unpopular opinion is right ahead. Although we know it’s not the authentic Italian way of enjoying the pasta, we think we’ve found the best carbonara recipe, EVER … and it features cream.

Do you make carbonara with or without cream?

Before you judge us, give us a chance to prove why it really is Australia’s top-rated spaghetti carbonara.

Amira said: “We’ve used a drizzle of thickened cream in this recipe as it adds a lovely richness to the sauce and it also helps stabilise the eggs a little.”

Not to mention, the flavour and the creaminess, will have you saying: “Why haven’t I been adding cream sooner?!”.

Here’s the recipe for the most controversial carbonara recipe.

Should carbonara have cream?

Typically carbonara sauce is only made of eggs, bacon, parmesan, olive oil, seasoning, and sometimes, vegetables. As for cream, Italians will tell you that is a big no no.

How do you make carbonara silky?

The trick to silky carbonara is to whisk your egg whites so that they’re completely incorporated with the egg yolks. This will create a smooth, velvety sauce.

For more recipe ideas, go to taste.com.au or check out the Taste Test Kitchen now.

Originally published as Cream or no cream? Carbonara sauce debate heats up