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    Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Pasta

    Mushroom Carbonara

    Published: Sep 10, 2021 · Modified: Mar 22, 2022 by Dannii · This post may contain affiliate links · 15 Comments

    124 shares
    • 104
    Jump to Recipe
    Diet: Vegetarian
    Mushroom carbonara with a text title overlay.

    Our meat-free twist on a classic carbonara swaps bacon for golden mushrooms for a creamy pasta dish, that is a little bit lighter. Just 6 ingredients and only 15 minutes in the kitchen and you have all the creamy flavour of a carbonara, but with slices of mixed mushrooms. Something a little different for pasta night.

    A plate of mushroom carbonara next to a bowl of salad.

    We love a carbonara, but when we want to eat more meat free meal, the first swap we make is to include more mushrooms in our meals. They have a real meaty texture, and by using a selection of different mushrooms, you get so many different flavours and textures, it is a real taste sensation.

    This recipe still has the delicious silky smooth sauce that you know and love from a carbonara, by using eggs and parmesan, but we swapped the bacon for mushrooms. It's such an easy swap and still really filling and hearty.

    If you are looking for more ways to include mushrooms in your meals, why not try our Mushroom Sandwich, Spinach and Mushroom Gnocchi, Creamy Mushrooms on Toast or Mushroom and Spinach Risotto.

    Jump to:
    • Why you will love it
    • Ingredients needed
    • How to make mushroom carbonara - Step by step
    • Health benefits of mushrooms
    • What to serve it with
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Extra tips
    • More pasta recipes
    • Recipe
    • Feedback

    Why you will love it

    • A meat free alternative - If you love a classic carbonara, then this is a tasty meat free version as it swaps bacon for mushrooms.
    • Quick - This is ready in less than 15 minutes, and can be even quicker if you use fresh pasta.
    • A new way to eat mushrooms - Love mushrooms but looking for new ways to eat them? This is a good place to start.
    • Adaptable - You can use this as a base recipe and then adapt it to suit your own tastes. We love stirring in some spinach for a green vegetable boost.

    Ingredients needed

    All the ingredients needed for this recipe with text overlay labels.
    • Pasta - Spaghetti is traditionally used in a carbonara, but you could use any pasta.
    • Mushrooms - The star of the dish. We used a mixture of mushrooms like oyster, shiitake and chestnut, as it gives it a lovely mixture of textures. However, you could use any mushrooms you like.
    • Eggs - These are the key ingredient for the delicious carbonara sauce, with the yolks providing that rich creaminess
    • Cheese - We used Parmesan, however another Italian hard cheese will work. Try to freshly grate it, as you will get a much stronger flavour than if you used a bag of pre-grated cheese.
    • Garlic - This isn't a really garlicky recipe, as traditionally a carbonara wouldn't have a lot of garlic in it. However, you could add more if you wanted to.
    • Butter - This is what the mushrooms are cooked in, and helps them to get lovely and golden brown.
    • Pasta water - This is our "secret" ingredient in every pasta dish and something that every Italian uses in their cooking. Adding a little bit of the starchy pasta water makes the sauce really silky smooth and cling to the pasta. It also loosens the sauce up a little, helping it go further.

    A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

    How to make mushroom carbonara - Step by step

    One: Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions.

    A saucepan containing spaghetti cooking in water.

    Two: Mix together the grated Parmesan and the eggs. Set aside.

    Two shot collage of grated cheese and aggs in a bowl, before and after mixing.

    Three: Heat the butter in a frying pan and add the garlic and mushrooms. Cook until the mushrooms are golden, about 4 minutes.

    Two shot collage of mushrooms in a frying pan, before and after cooking.

    Four: Remove 75ml/0.33 cup of pasta water from the pan.

    A measuring cup next to a pan of cooked spaghetti.

    Five: Drain the spaghetti and add to the mushrooms with the reserved pasta water. Add the Parmesan/egg mix and stir through until everything is coated.

    Three shot collage of spaghetti added to the mushrooms, then the egg mix then all mixed together.

    Health benefits of mushrooms

    Mushrooms are a good source of vitamin D, and are actually one of the only non-animal sources of the vitamin. Whether grown inside or outside, they are exposed to UV light which increases their concentration of vitamin D.

    Mushroom Carbonara can be low in calories and carbs and make a nice light meal when served with a big salad. Mushrooms are really nutritious too and a great source of B vitamins and potassium. Just be careful with how much cheese you load on top of this.

    Mushrooms and spaghetti topped with chopped herbs and Parmesan shavings.

    What to serve it with

    Everyone know that garlic bread and pasta are a match made in heaven. Carby heaven! Either buy some ready made, or make your own easy garlic bread by cutting up some French stick and spreading it with a mix of butter, crushed garlic and dried herbs. Then pop it in the oven for 10 minutes.

    You could also keep it simple with a big green salad. The key to an epic green salad is to use a variety of greens, like romaine, spinach, kale and rocket. You want leafy greens, but crunch too. Then you need the perfect dressing. Why not try our Lemon Vinaigrette, Honey and Mustard Dressing or Tomato and Basil Vinaigrette. You could also try our Grilled Little Gem Salad.

    If you want to add a big side of vegetables, then we recommend our Roasted Tenderstem Broccoli, Garlic Green Beans, Air Fryer Carrots, or Roasted Lemon Asparagus.

    A fork picking up some spaghetti from a bowl.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is mushroom carbonara healthy?

    Pasta dishes can definitely be part of a healthy and balanced diet, but portion control is key. Swap the white pasta for wholegrain spaghetti and add some leafy greens for a nutrient boost. You can also use reduced fat cheese, but it will give the sauce a different texture and it won't be as creamy.

    Do I have to reserve pasta water?

    Adding starchy pasta water (just 100ml is enough) to a fat like butter will create an emulsion and this gives a really silky smooth sauce and helps it cling to the pasta. Make sure you scoop out the water just before draining, as this ensures that it is nice and starchy.

    How to store mushroom carbonara.

    If you have leftovers, then you can store it in an air tight container in the fridge until the next day.

    Can I freeze mushroom carbonara?

    No, we wouldn't recommend freezing this carbonara because it has a strange texture once defrosted.

    How to reheat carbonara.

    You can reheat this in a frying pan on a low heat. Add a splash of full fat milk to the pan to loosen it up.

    Is mushroom carbonara gluten free?

    If you use your favourite gluten free pasta and make sure that there is no cross contamination, then this is a delicious gluten free meal.

    What other pasta can you use?

    Carbonara traditionally uses spaghetti, however this sauce recipe can be used with any pasta and we have used penne, fusilli and macaroni (which kids love) in the past.

    heart icon

    Extra tips

    • When using Parmesan, try to grate it fresh rather than using a bag of pre-grated cheese, as you will have a much stronger flavour.
    • Make sure you stir the egg and cheese mixture into the pasta OFF the heat, otherwise the eggs will scramble. Don't worry, the heat from the cooked pasta will ensure the eggs are cooked through in the sauce.
    • Don't forget to take some water out of the spaghetti pan before you drain it as this will make such a difference to your sauce. If you do forget, just boil some water in the kettle and add that.
    • You could keep the bacon in, like a traditional carbonara, and use mushrooms too, but we wanted this to be a meat-free recipe. Because it doesn't have bacon in it, you do need to season it well to make up for not having the saltiness from the bacon.
    • To make this mushroom carbonara even quicker, use some fresh pasta which is ready in a few minutes.
    • If you like your food spicy, then add a sprinkle of red chilli flakes on top before serving.
    • Add a splash of olive oil to the pan before serving for an extra boost of flavour.
    • Serve with extra Parmesan, fresh parsley and cracked black pepper if you like.

    More pasta recipes

    • 10 Minute Cream Cheese Pasta
    • Chorizo Mac and Cheese
    • Cheesy Broccoli Pasta Bake
    • Blue Cheese Pasta

    If you’ve tried this vegetarian carbonara, 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

    Mushroom Carbonara topped with chopped herbs and Parmesan shavings.

    Mushroom Carbonara

    Our meat-free twist on a classic carbonara swaps bacon for golden mushrooms for a creamy pasta dish, that is a little bit lighter.
    An illustration of a v-shaped plant.
    Vegetarian
    4.79 from 19 votes
    Author: Dannii
    Pin Print Save recipe Recipe saved!
    Course: Lunch, Main Course
    Cuisine: British, Italian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Allergens:
    An illustration of a carton of milk.
    Dairy
    An illustration of a cracked egg.
    Eggs
    An illustration of two ears of wheat.
    Gluten
    Servings: 2 servings
    Calories: 520kcal
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    Ingredients

    UK Metric Measures - US Customary Measures
    • 140 g Spaghetti
    • 300 g Mixed mushrooms - sliced
    • 2 Garlic clove - crushed
    • 2 tablespoon Butter
    • 50 g Parmesan - grated
    • 2 Eggs

    Instructions

    • Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions.
      140 g Spaghetti
    • Mix together the grated Parmesan and the eggs. Set aside.
      50 g Parmesan, 2 Eggs
    • Heat the butter in a frying pan and add the garlic and mushrooms. Cook until the mushrooms are golden, about 4 minutes.
      2 Garlic clove, 2 tablespoon Butter, 300 g Mixed mushrooms
    • Remove 75ml/0.33 cup of pasta water from the pan.
    • Drain the spaghetti and add to the mushrooms with the reserved pasta water. Add the Parmesan/egg mix and stir through until everything is coated.

    Notes

    • When using parmesan, try to grate it fresh rather than using a bag of pre-grated cheese, as you will have a much stronger flavour.
    • Make sure you stir the egg and cheese mixture in to the pasta OFF the heat, otherwise the eggs will scramble. Don't worry, the heat from the cooked pasta will ensure the eggs are cooked through in the sauce.
    • Don't forget to take some water out of the spaghetti pan before you drain it as this will make such a difference to your sauce. If you do forget, just boil some water in the kettle and add that.
    • You could keep the bacon in, like a traditional carbonara, and use mushrooms too, but we wanted this to be a meat-free recipe. Because it doesn't have bacon in it, you do need to season it well to make up for not having the saltiness from the bacon.
    • To make this mushroom carbonara even quicker, use some fresh pasta which is ready in a few minutes.
    • If you like your food spicy, then add a sprinkle of red chilli flakes on top before serving.
    • Add a splash of olive oil to the pan before serving for an extra boost of flavour.
    • Serve with extra Parmesan, fresh parsley and cracked black pepper if you like.

    Nutritional Information

    Serving: 1portion | Calories: 520kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 211mg | Sodium: 583mg | Potassium: 711mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 788IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 347mg | Iron: 3mg
    DisclaimerThe nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jessica Stroup

      January 05, 2022 at 4:54 pm

      5 stars
      Such a simple and delicious recipe! Love the mushrooms!

      Reply
    2. Erin

      January 05, 2022 at 1:30 pm

      5 stars
      This mushroom carbonara is a simple dish to make but is so hearty and filling. Delicious!

      Reply
    3. Nic

      January 05, 2022 at 1:17 pm

      5 stars
      I love mushrooms and this recipe was so simple and easy to make! YUM. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    4. Farah Abumaizar

      January 05, 2022 at 12:36 pm

      5 stars
      This pasta looks so rich and wonderful! I absolutely love mushrooms so I'm so excited to try this out, thanks for posting!

      Reply
    5. Gina

      January 05, 2022 at 12:22 pm

      5 stars
      As a big mushroom fan this recipe was everything! Beyond delicious and will definitely be making again!

      Reply
    6. Natalie

      September 16, 2021 at 5:33 pm

      5 stars
      Carbonara with mushrooms? What a perfect dinner idea. My boys will love this. I'm making this tonight.

      Reply
    7. Petro

      September 16, 2021 at 5:19 pm

      5 stars
      I can't believe this is a vegetarian dish made with just a handful of simple ingredients! It looks incredibly delicious!

      Reply
    8. Julie

      September 16, 2021 at 4:35 pm

      5 stars
      Big fan of carbonara and mushrooms which makes this pasta dish perfect for my family. Can't wait to taste this.

      Reply
    9. Shadi Hasanzadenemati

      September 16, 2021 at 4:31 pm

      5 stars
      Love all the ingrea dients, can’t wait to try this! It looks so delicious and easy!

      Reply
    10. Jenn

      September 16, 2021 at 3:24 pm

      5 stars
      LOVE that you used mushrooms in place of the bacon. They're so savory and full of flavor - love it so!

      Reply
    11. Jeannette

      September 14, 2021 at 11:40 am

      5 stars
      Butter, garlic and mushrooms is one of my favourite combinations, so having it in a pasta ticks all the boxes for me! So good for dinner but also packed as a work or school lunch.

      Reply
    12. Beth Sachs

      September 14, 2021 at 11:29 am

      5 stars
      I adore mushrooms AND carbonara so this is a winner for me!

      Reply
    13. Alexandra

      September 14, 2021 at 9:11 am

      5 stars
      We are big mushroom fans, and this pasta dish will be on repeat in our household! It is the perfect meat-free meal.

      Reply
    14. Seema Sriram

      September 14, 2021 at 8:26 am

      5 stars
      One of my kids went Ooo seeing the images. Now I am sure we will be grocery shopping tomorrow morning for this. looks so yum!

      Reply
    15. Tavo

      September 14, 2021 at 7:46 am

      5 stars
      Simply delicious! I loved the mushroom twist!

      Reply

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    My name is Dannii. Here you will find easy family recipes with a healthy twist.
    Established in 2011, Hungry Healthy Happy has become one of the UK's most popular food blogs, with two successful recipe books published.

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