They’re both rich and creamy and often tossed with pasta, so what is the difference between Alfredo and carbonara sauce?
The origins of Alfredo and carbonara sauce can both be traced back to Rome when decades ago they were invented by Italians who had grown weary of their trademark red tomato based sauces. The origin of Alfredo sauce is more straightforward than that of carbonara, but both share a trademark creaminess and white color base that tempts hungry diners seeking the kind of inviting Italian comfort that both of these sauces evoke.
Alfredo sauce was invented in 1914 by Alfredo di Lelio, owner of the Roman restaurant Via della Scrofa and loving husband, whose goal was to create a pasta dish for his wife who was in pain and discomfort from her pregnancy. Fettuccine Alfredo did the trick and soon the rich, simple dish was a menu staple, not only in Roman restaurants but in American restaurants too where the recipe was brought back to the states from Hollywood film actors Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks. They fortuitously dined at Alfredo di Lelio on their honeymoon and fell in love with his fettuccine Alfredo.
The story of carbonara is not as straightforward. The recipe itself first appears in the Neopolitan cookbook “Cucina Teorico Pratica,” written by Ippolito Cavalcanti in 1839. The author does not provide an origin backstory but the name alla carbonara provides a few clues. The term is defined as “coal-worker’s style” but even that is not as straightforward as it seems.
Some culinary historians connect it to coal workers themselves who needed an easy-to-prepare lunch during their work shifts. Others claim the name denotes the flecks of black pepper in the dish itself that resemble specks of coal. Still others say the dish was invented by Italians during World War II who were starving until Allied Forces liberated them and offered the populace powdered eggs and bacon which were transformed into the now iconic dish.
These are only a few of the tales attributed to carbonara but whatever the truth, one thing is certain: Creamy carbonara and Alfredo are beloved mainstays in the culinary repertoire of not only Italian cooks but for professional and home cooks throughout the world.
Origins notwithstanding, these two sauces might appear similar at first but there are significant differences between them. Let’s explore what sets them apart.
Carbonara is generally comprised of guanciale, eggs and plenty of freshly ground black pepper. A hard Italian cheese is also added during the cooking process with sharp Pecorino Romano being the first choice but salty and mellower parmesan filling in whenever necessary. Alfredo sauce relies upon a combination of butter and heavy cream as its base. Garlic is typically added and parsley is also a frequent Alfredo dancing partner.
Alfredo and carbonara both have a velvety texture but there are marked differences between how they feel on the tongue. Guanciale adds a crunchy note to carbonara’s silkiness whereas Alfredo sauce is a luxurious one-note textural masterpiece that never stops singing in the note of buttery velvet.
The primary difference between the color of Alfredo versus carbonara sauce are the dark pink flecks of guanciale tucked into carbonara. Bright green parsley also differentiates the two sauces when it is tossed into Alfredo after it is cooked. The overall cream colored base is also slightly different between the two since carbonara includes egg yolks that offer it a bolder yellow hue than the gentler tawny hue of Alfredo.
The first step to preparing a carbonara sauce is to prepare the pasta. Once it’s ready, guanciale is gently sauteed in olive oil. Egg yolks and shaved Pecorino Romano or Parmesan are whisked together. The guanciale is sprinkled into the bowl and plenty of freshly ground black pepper is added before everything is tossed together with the pasta.
Alfredo sauce is a simpler affair: After the pasta is ready, garlic is sauteed in butter before the heat is turned to its lowest setting and heavy cream is added. It’s stirred gently until the sauce thickens. Once this starts to happen, the pan is removed from the heat and Parmesan is added along with parsley if it’s being used. It’s poured over fettuccine and tossed lightly until the pasta is glistening.
The addition to guanciale in carbonara sauce is the main reason the flavor of Alfredo and carbonara sauce differs to such a degree. Guanciale gives carbonara an earthy, funkier edge whereas Alfredo sauce relies solely upon its buttery virtues to seduce its way into your mouth.
Fettuccine is the pasta of choice for Alfredo sauce and while this is also a frequent partner for carbonara, spaghetti is the first choice for this porky pasta sauce. Linguini is another common pasta preference for either sauce. And while both dishes can stand on their own, Alfredo often becomes the base for proteins like chicken or shrimp. The guanciale in carbonara gives this sauce a more finished feel and it’s most likely to find its way to the table unadulterated by additional ingredients.
Fettuccine Carbonara is served with cooked pasta, smoked meet sautéed in fat or butter, mixed with a mixture of raw eggs shredded cheese, and black pepper. The mixture of raw eggs, shredded cheese, and black pepper is stirred into the pasta when hot. The mixture is stirred off the stove. This method is used to prevent the eggs from curdling or being unevenly cooked.
Fettuccine Carbonara is a recipe of pasta dish originating from Rome. Fettuccine Carbonara is made of fettuccine pasta, hard-textured cheese such as Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese, smoked meat, and black pepper. It is highly advisable to use ingredients such as smoked meet, cheese, and pepper in a Fettuccine Carbonara recipe. The pasta is generally served with a sprinkle of herbs such as oregano. However, there is no need to worry if you don’t have the optional ingredient.
It’s best to used smoked meat made of red meat, such as beef. Nevertheless, if you don’t prefer red meat, you can certainly use smoked white meat such as smoked chicken or fish instead. However, the use of smoked red meat does affect the taste of Fettuccine Carbonara. However, the originality of the recipe is a result of the use of authentic ingredients. Furthermore, your pasta may taste different when you use white meat.
There are many opinons regarding the origin of Fettucine Carbonara recipe. Some believed that the name carbonara comes from the Italian word cabonaro, which means coal stove. On that basis, some believed that the Fettuccine Carbonara recipe was created as the main stable of coal miners in Italy a long time ago. In certain parts of the United States, the dish is referred to as the “coal miners’ spaghetti”.
Some people also believe that Fettuccine Carbonara was named in honor of a secret organization named Carbonari during the Italian Unification, and that the dish was first served in 1950. The Fettuccine Carbonara Recipe was once published by an Italian daily newspaper, La Stampa, praising it as a dish that attracted the interest of American officers assigned in Italy during the Rome Liberation in 1944. Fettuccine Carbonara Recipe was also reviewed in an English cookbook titled Elizabeth David’s Italian Food published in England in 1954.
Fettuccine is the pasta of choice for Alfredo sauce and while this is also a frequent partner for carbonara, spaghetti is the first choice for this porky pasta sauce. Linguini is another common pasta preference for either sauce. And while both dishes can stand on their own, Alfredo often becomes the base for proteins like chicken or shrimp. The guanciale in carbonara gives this sauce a more finished feel and it’s most likely to find its way to the table unadulterated by additional ingredients.
Alfredo and carbonara both have a velvety texture but there are marked differences between how they feel on the tongue. Guanciale adds a crunchy note to carbonara’s silkiness whereas Alfredo sauce is a luxurious one-note textural masterpiece that never stops singing in the note of buttery velvet.
The addition to guanciale in carbonara sauce is the main reason the flavor of Alfredo and carbonara sauce differs to such a degree. Guanciale gives carbonara an earthy, funkier edge whereas Alfredo sauce relies solely upon its buttery virtues to seduce its way into your mouth.
Carbonara is generally comprised of guanciale, eggs and plenty of freshly ground black pepper. A hard Italian cheese is also added during the cooking process with sharp Pecorino Romano being the first choice but salty and mellower parmesan filling in whenever necessary. Alfredo sauce relies upon a combination of butter and heavy cream as its base. Garlic is typically added and parsley is also a frequent Alfredo dancing partner.
The story of carbonara is not as straightforward. The recipe itself first appears in the Neopolitan cookbook “Cucina Teorico Pratica,” written by Ippolito Cavalcanti in 1839. The author does not provide an origin backstory but the name alla carbonara provides a few clues. The term is defined as “coal-worker’s style” but even that is not as straightforward as it seems.
Italians reacting to pasta CARBONARA #shorts
FAQ
What is the difference between fettuccine and carbonara?
Does Alfredo and carbonara taste the same?
What pasta is similar to carbonara?
Is chicken Alfredo just carbonara?
Does Carbonara sauce taste like Alfredo?
No, carbonara sauce doesn’t taste like alfredo. Carbonara sauce is a rich sauce that’s creamier than Alfredo sauce. It also has a smokier flavor due to the pancetta or guanciale. Alfredo sauce is lighter and has a more subtle flavor. If you are looking for pasta with a strong flavor, carbonara pasta is a better option.
What is the difference between Alfredo and Carbonara?
Alfredo is a simple, rich, and creamy white sauce, which it has in common with carbonara, but it is made entirely differently. Butter is the main ingredient, supported by parmesan and, in some recipes, heavy cream and fresh parsley. What Pasta to Use for Alfredo? Fettucine alfredo is the most common preparation for this sauce.
What is the difference between carbonara pasta sauce and pancetta?
Ingredients: The main difference between the two sauces comes down to the ingredients. While each sauce recipe uses hard cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Romano, carbonara pasta sauce relies on eggs for its creamy texture rather than heavy cream. Carbona also includes pancetta or guanciale for extra saltiness.
What is fettuccine Carbonara?
Fettuccine Carbonara is the type of pasta dish I used to always order at restaurants. It checks all the boxes for me: salty, creamy, savoury, and most importantly, full of carbs! I always assumed that it was difficult to make this beautiful dish because it is so luxurious. In fact, it’s simple and incredibly quick.