Love homemade Italian food? Then you’ve got to try my Authentic Italian Meatballs and my Chicken Puttanesca!
Homemade Mushroom Carbonara
If I had to choose one thing I loved most about this mushroom carbonara recipe, it would have to be that it’s so easy to make! Even though it’s made with just a few ingredients, it’s packed with flavor from the rich sauce, sauteed mushrooms, and pasta noodles. Classic carbonara is made with egg, pasta, starchy water and some sort of salty pork either bacon, pancetta, or guanciale. Guanciale is prepared from pork jowl or cheeks, rubbed in spices, and then cured. The cured meat got its name from guancia, which mean cheek or pillow in Italian. While classic carbonara is delicious, I set out on a way to make it even easier and meat-free. And I have to say that I’m thoroughly impressed with this vegetarian version. The mushrooms offer an earthy, almost meaty flavor that’s enhanced by the garlic, egg yolks, and parsley, making it a great alternative to cured pork. Plus, the fact that it comes together in 30 minutes or less makes this perfect for your family table!
Ingredients
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: The base for any Italian meal. You can also use avocado oil, but avoid butter. Mushrooms: I like using baby bellas, buttons, or cremini mushrooms. Whichever type you use, make sure to slice them thin. Garlic: I used four cloves total, but you could use as many as six if you’re a garlic lover. (I won’t judge!) Spaghetti: This is the best pasta for carbonara, in my opinion, but any long pasta like fettuccine, linguini, or bucatini would work, too. Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated is best, if you can get it! It melts the smoothest, but packaged is fine, too. Reserved Pasta Water: Don’t pour out your pasta water before saving some for the sauce! This dish gets its creaminess from the starchy pasta water, egg yolks, and parmesan cheese. Egg Yolks: Save the whites for your morning omelette and toss your carbonara in just the yolks. This makes the dish super creamy, rich, and velvety. Fresh Parsley: This dish is decadent, so it needs a bite of something fresh. Parsley is the perfect garnish for just that reason! Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: These brighten up the carbonara sauce without making it too spicy.
How To Make Mushroom Carbonara
What To Serve with Mushroom Carbonara
Chicken Parmesan Chicken Caprese Berry Spinach Salad Strawberry Spinach Salad Italian Ham and Bean Orzo Soup The BEST Dinner Rolls One-Hour Focaccia Bread
