This healthy carbonara recipe delivers everything you love about classic carbonara - that silky creamy sauce, salty bacon, and Parmesan, but without lots of egg and cheese. The secret? Greek yogurt and pasta water create a luxuriously creamy sauce that's lighter and higher in protein. It still has all the flavour, but this healthy carbonara is a little bit lighter and ready in under 20 minutes.
You can't go wrong with creamy pasta. It's so comforting and it just hits the spot in a way that a tomato based pasta can't. I never want to deprive myself of the foods I love, I just find healthier ways to make it, like this healthy carbonara.
You could never know that there is Greek yogurt in this sauce. Mixed with some of the reserved pasta water, it replaces some of the eggs and Parmesan without losing any of that creaminess.
Looking for more healthy pasta recipes? Why not try our simple Vegetable Pasta Bake, high protein Chicken Bolognese or our comforting High Protein Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake?
If you are looking for more easy dinner recipes, take a look at our full dinner collection.
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Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Spaghetti - Use a wholewheat spaghetti if you want extra fibre.
- Bacon - We like using a nitrate-free bacon brand and cut the fat off it you want to make it lower in fat.
- Egg - Take it out of the fridge 10 minutes before using if you keep your eggs in the fridge.
- Parmesan cheese - Grate it yourself rather than buying it ready grated.
- Yogurt - You can use 0% fat, but a higher fat percentage will make it creamier.
- Pasta water - Take this out about 5 minutes before you need to use it, as it needs to cool a little and not be boiling.
What Else Can be Added?
Vegetables - You could add mushrooms (and use less meat, or no meat - have you tried our Mushroom Carbonara?), spinach, peas or sweetcorn also give this healthy carbonara a veggie boost.
Meat - Swap the bacon for turkey bacon, or you could use shredded cooked chicken breast or smoked salmon for something different.
How to Make Healthy Carbonara
- Step 1: Cook the spaghetti according to the packet instructions - normally 10-12 minutes. Reserve some of the pasta water.
- Step 2: Heat the oil in a large pan and cook the bacon. Once cooked, chop into small pieces and set aside.
- Step 3: Put the egg in a bowl and whisk and then add the yoghurt and Parmesan.
- Step 4: Once the spaghetti is cooked, drain (reserving some pasta water) and then put it into a pan with the bacon and egg mixture.
- Step 5: Slowly add the reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce is silky and smooth. You may not need all of the water. Mix gently to coat all of the cooked pasta.
- Step 6: Serve with chopped basil and a little grated Parmesan (both optioal).
Serving Suggestions
I think that garlic bread is a must when it comes to any kind of pasta dish. Try our Cheesy Garlic Bread or Air Fryer Garlic Bread with this healthy carbonara.
We also love making a big batch of our Roasted Cherry Tomatoes to go with this pasta dish. They are nice mixed through it too, as the tomato juice adds to the sauce. Roasted Tenderstem Broccoli goes well too.
Dannii's Top Tips
- Use warm, not boiling, pasta water to control sauce texture.
- Grate your own Parmesan for smoother melting.
- Full-fat Greek yogurt gives the creamiest result.
- Taste and season with salt and black pepper if needed.
- If you are going to reheat this, then do it on the stove top rather than in the microwave.
Frequently Asked Questions
Carbonara traditionally uses spaghetti, however this sauce recipe can be used with any pasta and we have used linguine, tagliatelle, penne, fusilli and macaroni (which kids love) in the past.
Yes, it can be reheated if you have leftovers, however it is best to do it on the stove, rather than in the microwave. Put it in a frying pan over a medium heat and heat for 3-4 minutes, until warmed through. If it is a little dry, then you can stir some olive oil through it.
More Pasta Recipes
If you've tried this healthy pasta carbonara recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Healthy Carbonara
Recipe Video
Ingredients
- 160 g (5.5 oz) of Spaghetti
- 1 teaspoon of Olive oil
- 50 g (1.75 oz) of Bacon
- 1 Egg
- 50 g (0.5 cups) of Parmesan - grated
- 3 tablespoons (3) of 0% fat Greek yogurt
- 80 ml (0.33 cups) of Reserved pasta water
- Fresh basil - (optional; to serve)
Instructions
- Cook 160 g of Spaghetti according to the packet instructions.
- Heat 1 tsp of Olive oil in a large pan and cook 50 g of Bacon. Once cooked, chop into small pieces and set aside.
- Whisk 1 Egg in a bowl and then add 50 g of Parmesan and 3 tablespoons of 0% fat Greek yogurt. Mix well.
- Once the spaghetti is cooked, drain (reserving some pasta water) and then put it into the pan with the bacon. Add the egg mixture to the spaghetti, stir briskly, so the egg does not scramble.
- Slowly add 80 ml of Reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce is silky and smooth. You may not need all of the water. Mix gently to coat all of the cooked pasta.
- Serve with chopped basil and a little grated parmesan.
Recipe Notes
- Use warm, not boiling, pasta water to control sauce texture.
- Grate your own Parmesan for smoother melting.
- Full-fat Greek yogurt gives the creamiest result.
- Taste and season with salt and black pepper if needed.
- If you are going to reheat this, then do it on the stove top rather than in the microwave.
Nutritional Information
Where nutritional information is provided, it is approximate and calculated using online tools. Values can vary depending on the ingredients and brands used, but we endeavour to be as accurate as possible.
All timings are a guide and may vary depending on the ingredients, equipment and, where relevant, the appliance used. Changing the serving size may also affect the time needed.
Elsie says
We loved this. Really easy to make and lovely and creamy. We used sausage with ours rather than bacon.
Louise says
Can you add chicken to this? What would the calories be if I did x
Dannii says
Yes, you can add chicken to it. The calories would depend on how much you use.My Fitness Pal is a great please to work out nutritional information.
Cyndy says
I love carbonara and the idea of being able to make it less caloric is awesome. Thanks for a great recipe.
Leslie says
I'm always looking for healthier ways to make my favorite Italian foods, so this is going in my recipe bank right now. I can't wait to make it!
Julia says
I have always found the classic carbonara too heavy to my liking so can't wait to try your version!
Alyssa says
I love the idea of adding spinach. It adds some freshness to the rich flavors, and then it's a one pot meal without the need for an extra veggie side dish!
Jenn says
I love that you've lightened up one of my favorites! Yum!
kim says
Love this recipe! So much great flavor and it was so easy! Will definitely be making again!
Pina says
Love this healthier take on a carbonara! Thank you so much for sharing.
Catherine says
I love carbonara but because it's so rich, it's a rare treat. Love this lightened up version...your healthy swaps are terrific and it was so delicious!
Sophie says
Wow, love this healthy version a lot. And enjoyed viewing the video too. Thanks a lot for sharing the recipe.
Jill says
Carbonara is so delicious. Glad to know I can still make it and save a few calories.
Michelle says
This looks great, love that it's a healthy version of the classic dish too.
Marie says
This looks fab. Can't wait to make it x
Tracey says
Thank you. I have been looking for a recipe just like this. That is Saturday night's dinner planned.