This is the best ever spaghetti carbonara - seriously!! A perfect and delicious quick dinner for the whole family
Easy Carbonara
I wanted to put together a spaghetti carbonara recipe (one of my fav pasta dishes ever) that was still really yummy but also light on the calories to a traditional carbonara and oh boy! did I achieve that. It is delicious.
This recipe is also found in the Slimming Eats cookbook as one of the 15 bonus blog favourites. You can get it from all Major Retailers including Amazon
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Ingredients for Carbonara
The ingredients for carbonara are pretty straight forward and despite what some think there is no cream added to a traditional carbonara, that creamy finish comes from eggs, parmesan (Parmigiano-Reggiano) or Pecorino Romano, and some pasta water. Please don't be tempted to ruin this by stirring in something like Quark.
To make this carbonara you need:
- Spaghetti
- Eggs (whole and yolk)
- Parmesan or Pecorino Romano
- Lean Bacon
- Garlic
- Onion
- Chicken Stock
- Salt and Pepper
Simple ingredients, right?
How to Make a Lower Calorie Carbonara
Bear in mind there are so many different ways available to make carbonara and this is my method of what we like and might not be quite the traditional method. I tweak a few things to get the calories lower.
One thing is the the addition of stock, this is a ingredient I use for softening down vegetables without the need for adding lots of oil/fat. You just add a little bit at a time into the pan of the onion and garlic and cook it off before you add more. Don't add it all at once or you will end up with a watery mess. The result is a golden lovely softened base to your carbonara.
I tend to use parmesan cheese as it's what I always on hand, but you can use Pecorino Romano if you prefer, which is the more authentic ingredient.
Some of the measurement of cheese is mixed with the eggs and reserved pasta water, this is liquid gold and is what makes that silky creamy sauce appearance on the pasta, so don't be tempted to skip the pasta water step, it's a vital part of the recipe.
Instead of pancetta, I use lean back bacon, diced up and pan fried until golden, you get that flavour without the higher calories of pancetta
Lastly is the pasta and it's not spaghetti carbonara without spaghetti.
Additions to Carbonara
Although not traditionally found in a carbonara, I sometimes add in some sliced mushrooms with the onions and garlic, not a true carbonara when you include this, but is a great way to bulk out the dish and make it more filling, which is vital when watching the calories.
Sides for Carbonara
Other ways to make this a more filling meal is to include some healthy sides alongside the carbonara.
A bowl of mixed salad is my usual go to, with any of my salad favourites like baby greens, tomatoes, red onion, cucumber etc
But when I don't fancy a salad any steamed, sauteed or roasted greens are great - like tenderstem broccoli or asparagus etc. Remember this are just to make your plate more feeling and high satiety.
More Pasta Recipes
Looking for some more pasta recipes? Check out these:
- Easy Creamy Chicken Ranch Pasta
- Spinach Pasta Bake
- Creamy Tomato Pasta Sauce
- Creamy Garlic Chicken with Spinach Penne Pasta
- Baked Feta Pasta with Chicken (TikTok Recipe)
- Chicken Arrabbiata Pasta
- Bacon, Mushroom and Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta
- Slow Cooker Chicken Meatball Pasta Bake
- Baked Garlic Mushroom and Ricotta Pasta
or if you would like more recipe ideas - head on over to the FULL RECIPE INDEX where you will find over 900 delicious recipes with calories and you can search by meal type, ingredients, course, diet and more..
All recipes on Slimming Eats have estimated nutritional information for your convenience.
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Recipe Card
Best Ever Spaghetti Carbonara
The best ever spaghetti carbonara - traditional flavours and ingredients and a dish you will want to make again and again.
Ingredients
- 140g (5oz) uncooked spaghetti (gluten free can be used)
- 4 slices of lean back bacon (fat removed), chopped up
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 30g (1oz) finely grated parmesan
- salt and black pepper
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 240ml (1 cup) of chicken or vegetable stock
- ⅓ cup (80ml) of the pasta liquid (once pasta is cooked)
- spray oil
to serve
- 30g (1oz) of parmesan
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to the packet instructions.
- Drain, but keep ⅓ cup of the cooking liquid.
- Combine 30g/1oz oft the cheese, egg, egg yolk and a little salt and pepper in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Gradually add the reserved ⅓ cup cooking liquid (this ensures the egg doesn't scramble when you add it to the pasta) to egg mixture, stirring constantly with a whisk. Set aside.
- Spray a large nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat with some spray oil. Add the bacon and cook until golden. Remove bacon and set aside.
- Add the onion and garlic (also mushrooms if you are adding those) to the pan, and sauté until golden.
- This is where you will need the stock, if the mushrooms, onions and garlic start to stick, keep adding a little of the stock and continue this process until the stock is almost gone and the mushrooms and onion have a nice golden color.
- Add the pasta and bacon back to the pan; reduce heat and mix thoroughly.
- Add the egg mixture, remove from heat and toss in pan to evenly coat.
- Divide equally among two plates, season with salt and black pepper and sprinkle with some fresh parsley and the remaining parmesan cheese.
- Enjoy!!
Notes
Please see below for full nutritional info and additional details about recipe:
- Calories - scroll down to nutritional info box
- WW Points and other Slimming or Weight Loss programs - due to plans regularly changing and updating, we recommend calculating with the official tools you get as a member to those plans to ensure accuracy of values.
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Nutrition Information
Serving Size 1 SERVINGAmount Per Serving Calories 547Total Fat 19.9gSaturated Fat 9.9gSodium 1586.0mgCarbohydrates 52gFiber 5gSugar 6.6gProtein 37.5g
Cara says
Oh Shev, Matt just made this for our dinner tonight and it is AMAZING!!!! I would never have known it had no cream in it, it was so delicious!
Well done 😉
admin says
glad you enjoyed it :). It is really yummy isnt it? I haven't had it for a while, but I fancy it now lol. I still cant get my head around the lovely foods you can eat on slimming world and still lose weight.
mhairi says
I made this for the first time about 2 weeks ago for my hubby who recently started following SW with me, he's had it 3 times since then and loves it!! thanks a lot.
Lisa says
Yes! This totally makes sense, a genuine carbonara does not contain any cream anyway. You are a genius.
Well that is supper sorted. TA!
steph says
made this last night for me and my OH, and it was sooooo yummy. thanks. xx
Donna says
Just HAD to tell You that I have recently "stumbled" upon this Site and tried this Carbonara tonight as a 1st attempt .........
WOW!!!!!!!
I cant believe that this is "Diet" Food!! The Carbonara was soooooo Delicious and My 7yr Old asked Can we have it again 2moro!!
I made a "slight" substitute in that I used my B Choice of Pre cooked, shredded Chicken instead of the Bacon and Ham.
Thankyou so much for a Wonderful Site......Now, what shall I have tomorrow!! xx
admin says
thank you for the comment. I am glad you enjoyed it, is one of my favourite meals is this household too 🙂
Amie says
Just eaten this about 10 mins ago, it was delish! the whole family loved it, even my fussy little girl! Thank you very much. this will be going in my "keep" folder
Your website is fantastic. You have given me so much inspiration. The whole family are really benefiting from the lovely homecooked healthy food Im doing.
Joanne says
OMG!! This is sooooo scrummy!! I don't eat cheese so the whole thing is free! I added chicken to the bacon and finished 2 big bowls. Your recipes are such an inspiration. I spent 2hrs last night going through all of them and have 10 to try out so far over next few weeks. Thanks so much!
Joanne 🙂 xxx
admin says
I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Debbie says
My main down falls in food is curries and pasta, since I found the slimming book curry heaven and now this recipe I don't feel the need to have a take out Thank you.
the best part is the whole family are enjoying these recipes aswell so it makes dieting so much fun, I am never bored of my food now there are soooooooooo many gorgeous foods to try
greenpixey says
Great recipe. Just made this for me and my 3 children and we all loved it.
Is this freezable or is it possible to leave any left overs in the fridge for later in the day?
admin says
I am not sure it would keep well, because of the egg added to it and would most likely be best eaten fresh once made.
Victoria Sawyer says
it says its 2 hexa's on extra easy but we are only aloud one hexa on extra easy??
Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says
it is 2 HEa's for the entire recipe. The recipe serves 2, so 1 HEa per person.
Michael Harris says
Have made this today and WOW! You wouldn't know it was syn free it was absolutely gorgeous and will be recommending it to everyone. Excellent 🙂
Niamh says
Just tried this recipe this evening, I have to say I was sceptical but it was absolutely delicious and so filling! Will definitely be adding this to my weekly menu! Thank you!
Tracy hall says
Had this for lunch today was yummy had it with salad halved the measurements for one person delicious ty for sharing the recipe x
Sherrilee says
Made this for dinner tonight, we had it with asparagus, was delicious
SkinnyEats says
I'm not a massive carbonara fan usually but this is seriously tasty! Will definitely be a staple in our house from now on, thumbs up from the hubby too! Thankyou x
Emily-Jane says
Bloody lush! This will now become a weekly staple in our house!
Kelly says
Would you freeze this??
X
Shevy (Slimming Eats) says
Hi Kelly, pasta is always best eaten once cooked, as it can become slightly soft when reheated. I am okay with slightly overcooked pasta, so do freeze pasta dishes, however as this one using a sauce which is made with eggs etc, I don't recommend freezing. Hope that helps.
Claire Wade says
This was divine. I did swap pecorino for parmesan but that's just a personal preference. Hubby loved it too which is always a plus. A great use of hexa. Will definitely be making a regular appearance in this house.
Teresa Leahy O Brien says
So for this are you using 1 full egg and an a extra egg yoke as well
Shevy (Slimming Eats) says
Hi Teresa, yes that is correct 🙂
Suzanne says
This was the absolute best carbonara recipe I've had, thank you Siobhan I'll be making this a regular in my house x
Elena says
I rarely leave comments but i just had to give you props !! I had made carbonara once since i started slimming world and i had used quark, it was horrible so i almost wrote carbonara off !! Well, thanks to you, carbonara is now back with a vengeance !! Thank you so much for sharing this with us, it is absolutely delicious.
All the best.
Shevy (Slimming Eats) says
thank you so much for stopping by and leaving your comment. I am so glad you enjoyed my carbonara recipe. There really is no need to add quark to carbonara as it can easily be made syn free.
Hilda Reid says
Absolutely adore this receipe, thank you.
LEONI RUDGE says
This is the godfather of slimming world recipes. I tried this for the first time tonight and it is by far the best recipe I've ever made... not just slimming world friendly but ANY recipe. Better than the full fat version. Absolutely amazing.
Cathryn Short says
Just made this and omg it was gorgeous! So easy to make and my boyfriend loved it! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe
Karen Graham says
Made the carbonara for me and hubby tonight, I can definitely say it’s the best I’ve tasted by far, even hubby loved it and he’s not a big pasta fan, will definitely be making this again
Sam says
We love this dish! However, do you need as much (or any) stock if you are leaving out the mushrooms?
Julie Hawkins says
Can you just had chedder cheese instead of parmesan.
Shevy (Slimming Eats) says
you could, but carbonara will never use cheddar, for that authentic taste a hard cheese like parmesan or pecorino is best.
Connie says
Such a tasty recipe, can’t believe it’s syn free!
Janette says
Just had this for dinner tonight it was amazing thank you.
Vas says
Hi, I’m looking at making this tonight, just had a question about the stock? Is the stock meant to all evaporate by the time you add the pasta in? Sorry I just got confused! Can’t wait to try this though!
Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says
yes pretty much, the stock is used to cook, flavour the onions and mushrooms in place of butter or oil as in step 6. It will evaporate down really quick, just ensure you don't turn the heat too low, otherwise the mushrooms and onoon will just sit in stock.
Laura Meyer says
Fabulous carbonara recipe, can't believe its syn free, really tastes amazing!
Rebecca says
Oh my days. This really is sooooooooo good!
Jacqui says
I'd like to try this recipe but need to make it for 1 person. Could. I just add the one egg yolk?
Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says
yes that should work, just half all the ingredients and use 1 egg yolk.
Debbie says
Made this tonight for the first time, I was amazed how good this recipe is, and as I can’t tolerate cream but love carbonara, I’ve missed out. Not anymore. Will definitely be my go to recipe. Thanks for sharing
Lisa says
Made this recipe last night and wow! What a game changer. I was really worried I would mess this up and end up with scrambled eggs but it didn't happen! It was actually so quick and easy to whip up and even the picky eaters loved it in my house. Thank you
Becky says
Hi I’m making this tonight and my son has just gone out saying he will have tea when he comes in, can this be reheated?
Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says
I personally wouldn't reheat carbonara, it's best eaten when cooked.
amy cunningham says
made this today during my lunch time whilst working at home, incredibly tasty 🙂
Sandra Jones says
Made this for the second time last night from your cookery book. It is delicious as are all the other recipes I've made so far from your book.
Caroline O’Donovan says
Oh my, tried this for the first time this evening. Definitely the best carbonara I have ever made. Family loved it. Will become a regular.
Kels says
We love this carbonara even after all these years.