Carbonara Muffins

By sltaylor

This blue ribbon winner from the Utah State Fair transforms a classic pasta dish into a muffin. Alfredo sauce and Parmesan cheese are mixed into the batter and each muffin is topped with crispy bacon.

Ingredients

• Cooking spray, for the pan
• 1 pound(s) sliced bacon
• 1 small portobello mushroom, chopped (about 1 cup)
• 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 clove(s) garlic, finely chopped
• 1.75 cup(s) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup(s) cornmeal
• 1 tablespoon(s) granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon(s) baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon(s) baking soda
• 1 teaspoon(s) kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon(s) black pepper
• 1 tablespoon(s) fresh thyme leaves
• 1/2 cup(s) grated Parmesan
• 1.50 tablespoon(s) grated Parmesan
• 1 cup(s) buttermilk
• 1/2 cup(s) jarred Alfredo sauce
• 2 large eggs
• 1 scallion, chopped
• Mixed green salad, for serving

Details

Servings 4
Preparation time 35mins
Cooking time 60mins
Adapted from womansday.com

Preparation

Step 1

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat 8 muffin holes with cooking spray.

Working in batches, cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate; roughly chop when cool. Reserve 1/4 cup of the drippings and wipe out the skillet.

Heat 2 tablespoons bacon drippings in the skillet over medium heat. Add the mushroom, onion, and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and beginning to brown, 3 to 4 minutes.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pepper, thyme, and 1/2 cup Parmesan.

In a small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, Alfredo sauce, eggs, scallion, and the remaining 2 tablespoons bacon drippings. Stir in the mushroom mixture.

Gently stir the wet mixture into the dry mixture along with two-thirds (about 1 1/3 cups) of the chopped bacon. Divide the batter among the muffin cups (about a heaping 1/2 cup per hole) and top with the remaining bacon. Bake for 10 minutes.

Sprinkle with the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons Parmesan and bake until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean, 10 to 15 minutes more. Serve with a salad, if desired.