FETTUCCINE CARBONARA WITH GORGONZOLA

Fettuccine Carbonara with Gorgonzola image

Yield Make 6 (first-course) or 4 (main-course) servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 pound fettuccine
1/4 cup olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 1/2 8-ounce packages frozen artichoke hearts, thawed, quartered
1 1/2 cups crumbled Gorgonzola cheese (about 6 ounces)
1 cup whipping cream
1 cup half and half
1 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs, beaten to blend
8 slices cooked bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 3 ounces)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Steps:

Cook pasta in heavy large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain well, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid.
Meanwhile, heat olive oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add garlic and sauté 2 minutes. Add artichoke hearts; sauté 5 minutes. Add 1/2 cup Gorgonzola cheese, cream, half and half, crushed red pepper, black pepper and salt and simmer until sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
Add hot pasta to sauce and toss to coat. Remove from heat. Add eggs to pasta and toss well. Add bacon, 1/2 cup Gorgonzola, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and parsley and toss to incorporate. Add reserved pasta cooking liquid to thin sauce, if desired. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup Gorgonzola and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese over pasta and serve.