This zucchini carbonara uses squash instead of traditional spaghetti to make it a super-tasty low carb entree. Gluten free and LCHF recipe with video tutorial!
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Spaghetti carbonara is not a dish that I have given up lightly since eating low carb. The comforting combination of bacon, eggs and pasta is just perfect. When I was making zoodles the other day it occurred to me that I could use them to make a low carb carbonara dish. And that's just what I did!
A medium zucchini has 4 grams of net carbs (or 2.7g net carbs per cup when chopped), and of course once you make it into zoodles it is much better for you than higher carb alternatives. Zucchini is a great source of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin A, Thiamin, Niacin, Phosphorus and Copper, plus Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Magnesium, Potassium and Manganese. So many health benefits to a zucchini - how can you refuse?!?!
Watch the video tutorial or scroll down for the full recipe and printable recipe card!
How to Make Low Carb Zucchini Carbonara
Prepare the zucchini noodles by using a julienne peeler, the julienne attachment on a mandoline, or a Spiralizer! Just make sure you don't include the core, otherwise the final dish will be too watery. Of course, you can also buy the "zoodles" ready-prepared from many grocery stores!
Fry some chopped bacon and onion in some olive oil until the onion has softened and the bacon is cooked but not crispy. Can't you just smell that bacon?!!? Add the zucchini and continue to cook until they have softened. In a cup or bowl, beat an egg and add some black pepper. You could also add a little heavy cream here , but it is optional.
Pour it into the pan and quickly stir it around to disperse it. Keep stirring until the egg has cooked.
Add some grated Parmesan and you are ready to serve! And in case you are wondering - yes this IS a meal for one! But is easy to increase if you have others to cook for!
I just love the balance of flavors with this dish - almost as much as I love the original pasta version. Salty, creamy, savory, peppery - so much going on!
BTW you can also make this recipe with any summer squash!
📖 Recipe
Low Carb Zucchini Carbonara
Ingredients
Equipment
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Make the zucchini into "zoodles" by using a spiralizer, mandoline, or julienne peeler.
- Sauté the onion and bacon in olive oil until the onion has softened and the bacon is cooked but not crispy.
- Add the zucchini noodles and continue to sauté until they are cooked through.
- In a small bowl, beat the egg, black pepper and cream (if using). Pour the mixture into the pan and toss to coat. Stir frequently until the egg is cooked.
- Add the Parmesan cheese and serve.
Nutrition
Video
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is my best approximation. Net carbs are calculated as the total grams carbs minus the total grams of fiber.
Kate @ Diethood says
Congrats on the new site, Georgina!! LORD knows I need to step away from the carbs! 😀
Erin says
I made this tonight! Even my kids ate it-and they are five and seven. I just told them the "noodles" are green because of leprechauns! Haha 🙂
Georgina says
That's fantastic!
Debbie says
very good!!! Will make it again:-) 🙂 🙂
Georgina says
Thanks for letting me know! So pleased that you liked it!
Karen P says
Thank you for this!! Carbonara is my husband's absolute favorite and we recently started the Keto diet, so I was excited to give this a try. We used Shirataki noodles instead of zoodles and it worked really nicely, for anyone else giving those "Miracle Noodles" a try. I'm not sure if it was because the noodles we used were already cooked when added, but it was just a tad too oily for us. I'll be trying it again relying on the bacon grease to cook up the onion to see what that does to the consistency 🙂
Georgina says
I can imagine that the shirataki aren't as absorbent as the zoodles, so that would change the sauce consistency - but I'm glad you made it work for you!
Delena says
Hi can it freeze ok how long does it last in fridge or does it need to be eatwn on day
Georgina says
I've never been convinced by unfrozen zucchini, if you know what I mean - it just gets too water logged. I'm sure you could reheat leftovers in the microwave after being in the fridge, however.
Susan Boyd says
Why is the sodium content so high
Georgina says
All that bacon and Parmesan...