Cold Low Carb Risoni with Crispy Bacon, Robiola Cheese, Arugula, and Capers
Cold Low Carb Risoni with crispy bacon, robiola cheese, rocket, and capers is a fresh, flavorful, and very practical first course.
Low Carb Risoni is rice-shaped pasta: it's not real rice, but a small format designed for creamy recipes, cold dishes, low-carb salads, and preparations different from classic dry pasta.
In this recipe, the robiola creates a soft cream that binds the Risoni, the rocket adds freshness, the capers provide a savory note, and the crispy bacon brings smoky flavor and contrast.
Compared to the bresaola version, this recipe is more intense and richer. For this reason, the oil is reduced, and the bacon should be browned well, then dried on kitchen paper.
👉 For this recipe, you can use our Low Carb Risoni.
Ingredients for 2 people
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Low Carb Risoni | 120 g |
| Sliced bacon | 60 g |
| Robiola cheese | 60 g |
| Fresh rocket | 25 g |
| Desalted capers | 6 g |
| Extra virgin olive oil | 8 g |
| Lemon juice | 6 g |
| Cold water | 20 g |
| Black pepper | to taste |
| Salt | only for cooking water |
⏱ Preparation time
Preparation: 12 minutes
Low Carb Risoni cooking: 10 minutes
Bacon cooking: 5 minutes
Cooling: 10 minutes
Total time: approx. 35 minutes
Servings: 2
How to prepare cold Low Carb Risoni with crispy bacon
1. Cook the Low Carb RisoniBring plenty of salted water to a boil. Add the Low Carb Risoni and cook for 10 minutes, stirring gently during cooking. Drain well. 2. Cool the RisoniTransfer the Risoni to a bowl or a large plate. Immediately dress with extra virgin olive oil and mix gently. Let them cool down and then chill. Do not leave them in the colander: with high-fiber pasta, it's important to dress immediately. 3. Crisp the baconCut the bacon into strips. Heat a non-stick pan without adding fat. Brown the bacon over medium heat for about 4-5 minutes, until golden and crispy. Transfer to kitchen paper and blot lightly. 4. Prepare the robiola creamIn a small bowl, mix the robiola cheese with cold water, lemon juice, and black pepper. Stir until you get a soft, smooth, and not too thick cream. |
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5. Prepare rocket and capersWash and thoroughly dry the rocket. Rinse the capers carefully, desalt them well, and chop them coarsely. With bacon and capers together, one must be careful with the saltiness: it's better to use few capers, but well distributed. 6. Dress the RisoniAdd the robiola cream to the now cold Risoni. Mix gently until evenly distributed. Add the rocket and capers. Add the crispy bacon only at the end, so it remains drier and more pleasant to bite. Finish with a little black pepper. 7. Let it rest and serveLet the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve it fresh, but not ice-cold: if it's too cold, the robiola tends to firm up, and the taste is less balanced. |
💡 Chef's tips
Choose bacon with simple ingredients and no added sugar. Do not add extra salt to the dressing: bacon and capers are already salty.
The bacon must be crispy and well dried, otherwise the dish becomes too greasy. The rocket should be added at the end, so it remains fresh.
If you want a more fluid cream, add a little cold water to the robiola, one teaspoon at a time.
⚠️ Low carb caution
Choose bacon with simple ingredients, without added sugars, syrups, or sweet flavorings. Also check the capers: they should only be capers and salt, without preservatives or sweetened vinegar. Robiola cheese is naturally low in carbohydrates, but always check the label.
Estimated nutritional values per 100 g of complete cooked dish
| Nutritional value | Per 100 g |
|---|---|
| Energy | 173 kcal / 724 kJ |
| Fats | 11.0 g |
| of which saturated | 4.3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 1.9 g |
| of which sugars | 0.5 g |
| Fiber | 16.5 g |
| Protein | 7.4 g |
| Salt | 0.8 g |
Values are estimated for the complete recipe (120 g dry Risoni, 60 g bacon, 60 g robiola, 25 g rocket, 6 g capers, 8 g EVOO — final weight approximately 440 g). The data may vary based on the bacon brand, the amount of fat released in the pan, the robiola used, and the degree of desalting of the capers.
To learn more
To make the best use of our low-carb pasta, from cooking to choosing the most suitable format, read the complete guide: Low-carb pasta: what it is, how to cook it, and how to choose the right one.
👉 Discover all formats in the Artisanal Low Carb Pasta collection.