counter TV’s Aldo Zilli tries supermarket spaghetti carbonaras – £6 winner is ONLY one with authentic ingredients – Forsething

TV’s Aldo Zilli tries supermarket spaghetti carbonaras – £6 winner is ONLY one with authentic ingredients

WHEN it comes to carbonara, the creamier the better. But not according to Italians, who insist their dish should not contain cream. 

Traditionally, it is made from just four ingredients: Eggs, pecorino cheese, pork cheek and black pepper. 

Aldo Zilli holding a plate of supermarket carbonara, with spaghetti wrapped around a fork.
News Group Newspapers Ltd

Aldo Zilli, top chef at Casa Zilli, gives his verdict on six supermarket carbonaras[/caption]

This month, M&S launched the Carbonara Alla Romana, which it claims to be the only ready meal to stick to the original recipe. 

But how does it fare? Laura Stott asked Italian Aldo Zilli, top chef at Casa Zilli, to give his verdict on six supermarket carbonaras. 

ALDI CUCINA 

400g, £2.69 

Aldi Cucina Spaghetti Carbonara in its packaging.
News Group Newspapers Ltd

Once cooked, this is very watery. But it tastes OK and there’s a decent amount of flavour from the smoked bacon lardons[/caption]

THE only cheese in this carbonara is cheddar, which contributes to both the aroma and the taste.

But it should really be an Italian cheese, like pecorino. Though that would make it more expensive. 

Once cooked, this is very watery. But it tastes OK and there’s a decent amount of flavour from the smoked bacon lardons.

With extra black pepper on top and a serving of salad, it would do for a quick dinner. 

3/5 

ASDA 

400g, £1.94 

ASDA Meal for one Spaghetti Carbonara.
News Group Newspapers Ltd

The double cream is unnecessary, the pasta is average and I cannot taste the meat[/caption]

MADE using mature cheddar and regato, an Italian-style Irish hard cheese with a nutty and salty flavour.

It’s not the real deal, but it gives a similar taste to Parmesan while keeping costs down. 

It has good seasoning. I can see black pepper flecks, which are a vital part of the recipe.


But the double cream is unnecessary, the pasta is average and I cannot taste the meat. 

Good as a freezer meal. 

2/5 

CO-OP 

400g, £4.25 

Co-op British Pork Spaghetti Carbonara.
News Group Newspapers Ltd

The sauce is very floury and the pasta is too floppy to hold the sauce well[/caption]

THIS one is all wrong. It should be called “creamy pasta” at a push. 

I’ve no idea what cheese is in this as the ingredients list simply states a combination of medium-fat hard and soft cheeses.

Bizarrely, it also has creme fraiche. 

This is tangy, milky and has a strange sour aftertaste.

The sauce is very floury and the pasta is too floppy to hold the sauce well. 

And it is too pricey for what you get. 

2/5 

M&S ALLA ROMANA 

400g, £6 

M&S Collection Spaghetti Carbonara Alla Romana.
News Group Newspapers Ltd

Follow the cooking instructions carefully, as you have to add water midway through, or you will end up with what looks like scrambled eggs on pasta[/caption]

NOTABLY more expensive, but it is the only one to have ingredients that match the authentic recipe. 

You get a decent tasting Calabrian guanciale (pork cheek), egg yolks and the tasty aged Italian Parmesan. It does taste like the real deal. 

But follow the cooking instructions carefully as you have to add water midway through or you will end up with what looks like scrambled eggs on pasta. 

5/5 

LIDL’S CHEF SELECT 

400g, £2.49 

Chef Select Spaghetti Carbonara from Lidl, a refrigerated ready meal for two, with a serving suggestion of spaghetti on the label.
News Group Newspapers Ltd

Heated up, this tastes cheesier than anything else and it overpowers the pork. But it is edible[/caption]

THIS smells like a proper carbonara. There is proper parmesan cheese, although I should point out it has been combined with cheddar and the Irish hard cheese regato.

Still, I think that’s quite impressive considering this is one of the cheapest meals. 

Heated up, this tastes cheesier than anything else and it overpowers the pork. But it is edible. 

More meat would be preferable but it’s not bad at all for the price. 

4/5 

TESCO TASTE OF ITALY 

400g, £3.50 

Tesco Spaghetti Carbonara ready meal with nutritional information.
News Group Newspapers Ltd

If you add plenty of black pepper and some extra cheese, it’s edible[/caption]

THERE is so much liquid, I think I need a spoon. 

The Beechwood smoked bacon sounds appetising but there’s not much flavour and some looks burnt. 

The sauce is almost translucent white in colour, and the pasta has a tinge of grey, but it did smell OK. 

I can’t detect any black pepper or cheese even though it says it contains cheddar.

If you add plenty of black pepper and some extra cheese, it’s edible. 

2/5 

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