Spaghetti Carbonara

This healthy Spaghetti Carbonara is a delightful twist on the classic Italian dish, featuring whole grain pasta and a rich sauce made from eggs and cheese, perfect for a comforting yet nutritious meal. With a balance of flavors and textures, this recipe is sure to please both pasta lovers and health-conscious eaters.

Spaghetti Carbonara
20 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Italian
450 kcal

Ingredients

  • Whole grain spaghetti - 160 grams
  • Lean pancetta or turkey bacon - 100 grams, diced
  • Large eggs - 2, beaten
  • Grated Parmesan cheese - 50 grams
  • Garlic - 1 clove, minced
  • Fresh black pepper - to taste
  • Salt - to taste
  • Fresh parsley - 2 tablespoons, chopped (for garnish)

Steps

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the whole grain spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and add the diced pancetta or turkey bacon. Cook until crispy, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant, then remove from heat.
  4. In a bowl, whisk together the beaten eggs, grated Parmesan cheese, and a generous amount of black pepper.
  5. Once the pasta is cooked, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and immediately add it to the skillet with the pancetta and garlic.
  6. Remove the skillet from heat and quickly pour the egg and cheese mixture over the hot pasta, tossing continuously to create a creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
  7. Season with salt and additional black pepper to taste, and serve immediately, garnished with chopped fresh parsley.

Nutrition

  • Calories: 450
  • Protein: 24 g
  • Carbs: 60 g
  • Fiber: 8 g
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Cholesterol: 210 mg
  • Total Fat: 16 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Water: 0.5 L

Health Benefits

  • Whole grain pasta provides more fiber and nutrients than regular pasta, promoting better digestion.
  • Using lean pancetta or turkey bacon reduces saturated fat intake while still delivering rich flavor.

Tags

ItalianHealthyPasta Dish