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Low Carb Zucchini Carbonara

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!

Low Carb Zucchini Carbonara - a wonderful version of the Italian classic! 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!Low Carb Zucchini Carbonara - a wonderful version of the Italian classic! Gluten free and LCHF recipe with video tutorial!

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!

Low Carb Zucchini Carbonara - a wonderful version of the Italian classic! Gluten free and LCHF recipe with video tutorial!

 

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!

Low Carb Zucchini Carbonara #lowcarb Click To Tweet

BTW you can also make this recipe with any summer squash!

Low Carb Zucchini Carbonara

Low Carb Zucchini Carbonara

Yield: Serves 1
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

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!

Ingredients

  • 1 medium zucchini
  • 1 tbs olive oil
  • 2 tbs chopped onion
  • 4 slices bacon, chopped
  • 1 egg
  • black pepper
  • 1 tbs heavy cream, optional
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesanv

Instructions

  1. Make the zucchini into "zoodles" by using a spiralizer, mandoline, or julienne peeler.
  2. Sauté the onion and bacon in olive oil until the onion has softened and the bacon is cooked but not crispy.
  3. Add the zucchini noodles and continue to sauté until they are cooked through.
  4. 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.
  5. Add the Parmesan cheese and serve.

Notes

9g net carbs per large serving (whole recipe)

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Nutrition Information
Yield 1 Serving Size Whole recipe
Amount Per Serving Calories 604Total Fat 48gSaturated Fat 16gCholesterol 270mgSodium 1301mgCarbohydrates 12gNet Carbohydrates 9gFiber 3gSugar 5gProtein 32g

Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is my best approximation. I cannot guarantee completely accurate data due to variations in ingredients and cooking methods. Carbohydrates from sugar alcohols are not included in net carb counts as it has been shown that they do not impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.

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Susan Boyd

Saturday 1st of August 2020

Why is the sodium content so high

Georgina

Sunday 2nd of August 2020

All that bacon and Parmesan...

Delena

Friday 23rd of November 2018

Hi can it freeze ok how long does it last in fridge or does it need to be eatwn on day

Georgina

Friday 23rd of November 2018

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.

Karen P

Monday 22nd of October 2018

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

Tuesday 23rd of October 2018

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!

Debbie

Thursday 22nd of September 2016

very good!!! Will make it again:-) :-) :-)

Georgina

Thursday 22nd of September 2016

Thanks for letting me know! So pleased that you liked it!

Erin

Tuesday 8th of March 2016

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

Tuesday 8th of March 2016

That's fantastic!

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