Step 1

Heat the oil in a non-stick pan. When it reaches a medium high heat, add the shallots and garlic and sauté for a minute.

Step 2

Add the sprouts, cook until they are browned and become a little softer ( not too soft though, you don’t want them to be mushy, but to retain a little bite). You can probably get going with cooking the pasta when the sprouts are nearly finished. Just follow the instructions on the packet for timings. The best way to cook pasta is to put it into a pan with plenty of boiling water and a good helping of salt.

Step 3

When the sprouts are cooked, move them to the outside area of the pan and add the bacon to the centre, allowing it to cook for a couple of minutes, turning a couple of times.

Step 4

When the bacon is cooked, mix it through the sprouts and give a good grind of black pepper and a little salt. Careful with salt as the bacon and the parmesan will also add a salty flavour.

Step 5

When the pasta is ready, bring your two pans close together on the stove. Then, with tongs, grab the pasta and drag is swiftly into the pan with the sprouts. By doing this you take in some of the pasta water. This water helps bind and create your sauce. You don’t need much, in this case probably about 2 tablespoons worth. This dragging technique should ensure that you have enough.

Step 6

Turn the heat off under your sprouts and pasta. Add the egg (not directly on to the base of the pan but onto the pasta mixture) add the parmesan. Stir through quite quickly, this will create a creamy style sauce.

Step 7

Check for seasoning, and serve immediately with some extra parmesan sprinkled over the top if you wish.

Step 8

This works well with all sorts of pasta. The only type that doesn’t work so well for a carbonara style dish is whole meal or gluten free varieties. These pastas seem to lack the starchy constituent that gives your sauce that creamy texture.

Step 9

Try using pecorino cheese instead of parmesan