Ingredients
Scale
For the Spaghetti Squash:
- 1 medium-sized spaghetti squash
- Olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Carbonara Sauce:
- 6 slices of bacon or pancetta, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
Alternative Ingredients:
For the Spaghetti Squash:
- Spaghetti squash – Zucchini noodles, butternut squash, sweet potato noodles, regular spaghetti noodles
- Olive oil – Avocado oil
For the Carbonara Sauce:
- Bacon – Pancetta, guanciale, plant-based bacon, tempeh, tofu, or mushrooms
- Pecorino Romano and Parmesan cheeses – vegan cheese, nutritional yeast
- Egg – Vegan egg substitute or tofu-based carbonara sauce
- Classic carbonara sauce from the store
Optional for different variations:
- Vegetables – Sautéed mushrooms, peas, spinach, or cherry tomatoes
- Herbs – Basil, thyme, or oregano
- Protein – Cooked chicken, shrimp, or fried salmon
- Spices – Red pepper flakes or nutmeg
Instructions
- Before you start preparing anything, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cut the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds from inside of the squash either now or later once it’s baked – then drizzle olive oil over the cut halves of the squash and season with salt and pepper to taste before you place cut side down on a baking sheet.
- Roast in the preheated oven for about 35-45 or until it’s tender and the flesh can be easily scraped with a fork – make sure not to overcook it or it can turn out watery, it should be fork tender.
- Meanwhile, prepare the carbonara sauce in a large skillet or pan by adding the diced bacon or pancetta pieces to it and cooking them over medium-high heat until they become crispy.
- Take off the bacon or pancetta and set aside, reserving the bacon grease in the pan, then add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until it’s fragrant.
- Take a large bowl and whisk together the raw eggs, heavy cream, Pecorino Romano cheese, Parmesan cheese, and a pinch of black pepper – mix it until it’s all well combined.
- Check on your squash and remove it from the oven when it’s cooled, then let it cool slightly before you use a fork to scrape the flesh into spaghetti-like strands.
- Back to the skillet, reduce it to low heat and add the roasted spaghetti squash strands to the skillet – combining everything as you’re tossing it gently to combine.
- Use the egg mixture from step 6 and add it to the skillet with the squash, stirring quickly to coat the squash evenly around – just make sure not to overcook the eggs or they will scramble.
- Lastly, add the cooked crispy or pancetta to the skillet, mixing everything together – finally, seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste.
Serve it hot with chopped fresh parsley either inside the squash or in a separate bowl.