What can I add to a shop-bought carbonara sauce to give it more flavour?

Question

I have a shop-bought, stir-in carbonara sauce which is awfully bland. It doesn't have much flavour and what you can taste isn't actually very carbonara-ish. What could I add to it to give it more flavour; more zing?

Answer 1

Don't bother with the shop-bought!
To serve 4
1 pint double cream
4 large eggs
6 rashers bacon chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
olive oil
Mixed herbs (I use herbes de Provence)
Black Pepper
Parmesan
400g tagliatelle or spaghetti
half handful salt
2 desertspoons/cubes vegetable stock

In one saucepan cook pasta in boiling water with salt & stock for 8-10 mins. In second saucepan fry bacon in olive oil with garlic. Beat cream & eggs in bowl & add to bacon, when cooked & stir until thickened. Drain pasta, replace in its pan & add sauce & stir through. add pepper & parmesan to taste.

Enjoy it!

Answer 2

Break out the Italian herbs, a few mixed herbs as well, some pepper.

I would add some milk to water it down a bit, then bring back some thickness with some really tasty strong cheese.

Or just bin it and make your own - really easy and far far nicer

Good luck

Answer 3

I have found that most bland sauces will respond with more zest and a more intense flavor simply by the addition of lemon juice. Add in small increments until you get the zest you wish.

Answer 4

Garlic salt...if I'm in any doubt about the flavour or lack of ,I always bung in the garlic salt,
Good dish; buy ASDA pasta with garlic and herb sauce(it's a dry packet mix) bung in a tin of luncheon meat,diced, and some marrowfat peas,and cook for 8-12 minutes.it's handy for unexpected visitors...or if you're just feeling lazy.

Answer 5

I would say that it needs more seasoning i.e. salt and pepper and that will bring the flavour out. Good luck with it, bland is awful.

Answer 6

Add pancetta or bacon, parmesan cheese, parsley (flat Italian leaf), nutmeg & freshly ground black pepper & red pepper flakes. If you want to boost the flavor a bit more, try some sun-dried tomatoes.

Answer 7

In the event it's a fruit it includes seeds, otherwise it's a vegetable. And vegetables are usually grown in the ground while fruits are grown in trees.

Answer 8

White wine

Answer 9

sliced pepperoni, cut in strips
grated Parmesan cheese
Parsley & pepper to taste
bacon, cut up
mushrooms
shallots, minced finely

Answer 10

Try adding bits of cooked bacon, sliced mushrooms or a handful of grated parmesan, any one of those should help. Oh, make sure you put lots of freshly ground black pepper in it too!

(Or, do what I do, buy the Waitrose one, it's delish!)