This Dairy-Free Carbonara uses spaghetti squash for the noodles and combines eggs, bacon, coconut cream, and seasonings to create a rich, creamy, and flavorful carbonara.
This low-carb, dairy-free carbonara uses spaghetti squash in place of noodles and is rich and flavorful. It has a savory and creamy sauce that you won't believe is dairy-free and Paleo!
This is a healthy meal that you will want to make again and again. I mean, who can turn down a creamy pasta dish with a cheesy taste and bacon!?!
Baking the spaghetti squash
To bake the squash, simply place the whole spaghetti squash on a lined baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees for 15-20 minutes, or soft enough to cut in half.
Using an oven mitt in one hand and a sharp knife in the other, cut in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Place back on the baking sheet cut side down and roast an additional 10-30 minutes.
Spaghetti squashes vary a lot in size, so you'll need to watch it carefully.
To check for doneness flip one half of the squash over and run a fork down the side of the squash. If it comes away from the side easily in a nice spaghetti texture it is done. If it is too firm flip it back over and cook an additional 5 to 10 minutes.
Also, you can poke a sharp knife through the skin of the upside-down squash - if it slides through easily, it's probably done. Or you can taste it. Do not overcook or it will be mushy and ruin the whole dish!!!
Once done, use a fork to gently scrape out the flesh and set it aside, the squash will come out in noodle-like strands.
For more precise instructions, see my tutorial on How To Perfectly Cook A Spaghetti Squash
The sauce
Step #1: To make the carbonara sauce, start with cooking the bacon.
Cut the bacon into bite-sized pieces and cook over medium heat until crispy and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate.
Don't overcrowd the pan. If the pan is overcrowded the bacon won't get crispy so cook in batches if needed.
Step #2: Saute onion and garlic. Then, de-glaze the pan with broth or wine.
Pour off all of the fat except about 1 or 2 Tbsp. then add some onion and garlic.
Saute until the garlic is fragrant and the onion begins to caramelize. Pour in some chicken broth or wine and cook until the liquid has almost completely evaporated.
Step #3: In a medium bowl whisk together the eggs with the coconut cream, nutritional yeast, parsley, salt, and pepper.
Step #4: Temper the eggs.
Remove pan from heat then spoon about ¼ of the bacon mixture into the eggs and stir. Stir another few large spoonfuls of the mixture into the eggs, then pour the mixture into the pan to warm the eggs but do not let the eggs cook through.
This is called tempering the eggs. We do this as a way to heat up and cook the eggs without them scrambling.
Step #5: Add the spaghetti squash noodles and bacon and toss to thoroughly coat. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed and serve immediately.
Top tips
- Do not overcook the spaghetti squash. If the squash is overcooked, it will be mushy, not taste good, and ruin the whole dish! Watch the squash carefully and only cook it until it's tender.
- This only makes 3-4 small servings, depending on the size of the squash. I've never doubled this recipe, but I imagine doubling it would work just fine if you need larger/more servings.
- You do not need to worry about eating raw eggs. The eggs get heated enough to cook and thicken the pasta. If you're worried about it though, you can purchase pasteurized eggs that have been heated enough to kill bacteria and are safe to eat raw.
- For coconut cream, place a can of full-fat canned coconut milk in the fridge for 24 hours. Then, scoop out the coagulated cream. I recommend Sprouts, Thai Kitchen, or Native Forest brands. Other brands may leave an aftertaste or may not separate as well.
- Nutritional yeast is found in the spice aisle of most health food stores and it adds a dairy-free cheesy taste. I highly recommend it!
- If you are not dairy-free, you can replace the coconut cream with heavy cream and the nutritional yeast with ¼ cup of grated parmesan cheese.
Looking for more dairy-free recipes?
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Or this Whole30 Braised Lemon Garlic Chicken from The Wooded Skillet looks amazing too!
If you’ve tried this Low-Carb Dairy-Free Carbonara please let me know in the comments below!
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📖 Recipe
Dairy Free Carbonara {Paleo, Whole30, & Low-Carb}
Ingredients
- 1 medium Spaghetti Squash
- 8 oz. Bacon
- ½ Onion - finely chopped
- 4 Cloves Garlic - minced
- ¼ C Chicken Broth or White Wine
- 1 Large Egg
- 2 Egg Yolks
- 2 tablespoon Nutritional Yeast
- ½ tsp. Sea Salt
- ½ tsp. Ground Pepper
- 2 Tbsp. Parsley
- 1 Tbsp. Coconut Cream*
Instructions
Roasting The Spaghetti Squash:
- Puncture the squash several times with a sharp knife. Then, place the whole spaghetti squash on a lined baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees for 15-20 minutes, or soft enough to cut in half. Using an oven mitt in one hand and a sharp knife in the other, cut in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Place back on the baking sheet cut side down and roast an additional 10-30 minutes.
- Spaghetti squashes vary a lot in size, so you'll need to watch it carefully. To check for doneness flip one half of the squash over and run a fork down the side of the squash. If it comes away from the side easily in a nice spaghetti texture it is done. If it is too firm flip it back over and cook an additional 5 to 10 minutes. Also, you can poke a sharp knife through the skin of the upside-down squash - if it slides through easily, it's probably done. Or you can taste it. Do not over cook or it will be mushy and ruin the whole dish!!! Once done, use a fork to gently scrape out the flesh and set aside, the squash will come out in noodle-like strands.
Carbonara Sauce:
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Cut bacon into bite-sized pieces and cook over medium heat until crispy and set aside on a paper towel lined plate. Don't overcrowd the pan. If the pan is overcrowded the bacon won't get crispy so cook in batches if needed.
- While the bacon is cooking, whisk together the eggs with the coconut cream, nutritional yeast (if using), parsley, salt, and pepper in a medium-sized bowl and set aside
- Pour off all the fat except about 1 or 2 Tablespoons, Then, add the onion and garlic. Saute until the garlic is fragrant and the onion begins to caramelize. Pour in the chicken broth or wine and cook until the liquid has almost completely evaporated.
- Remove pan from heat. Spoon about ¼ of the bacon mixture into the eggs and stir. Stir in another 2 or 3 big spoonfuls of the bacon mixture, then pour the mixture into the pan to warm the eggs but do not let the eggs scramble.
- Add the spaghetti squash noodles and bacon. Toss to thoroughly coat. Adjust seasonings as needed and serve immediately.
Add Your Own Notes
Notes
- Do not overcook the spaghetti squash. If the squash is overcooked, it will be mushy, not taste good, and ruin the whole dish! Watch the squash carefully and only cook it until it's tender.
- This only makes 3-4 small servings, depending on the size of the squash. I've never doubled this recipe, but I imagine doubling it would work just fine if you need larger/more servings.
- You do not need to worry about eating raw eggs. The eggs get heated enough to cook and thicken the pasta. If you're worried about it though, you can purchase pasteurized eggs that have been heated enough to kill bacteria and are safe to eat raw.
- For coconut cream, place a can of full-fat canned coconut milk in the fridge for 24 hours. Then, scoop out the coagulated cream. I recommend Sprouts, Thai Kitchen, or Native Forest brands. Other brands may leave an aftertaste or may not separate as well.
- Nutritional yeast is found in the spice aisle of most health food stores and it adds a dairy-free cheesy taste. I highly recommend it!
- If you are not dairy-free, you can replace the coconut cream with heavy cream and the nutritional yeast with ¼ cup of grated parmesan cheese.
Nutrition
NET CARBS = Total Carbs - Fiber
Nutritional information is approximate and may vary. Sugar alcohols are included in the total carbs and fiber.
Looking for more information on the keto diet? Check out my
Tsath says
Carbonara is dairy-free BY DEFINITION. There is no dairy in the traditional recipe
Cassidy Stauffer says
Hi tsath,
A major ingredient in traditional carbonara is grated parmesan cheese, which is dairy, and some even include heavy cream. In this recipe, I use nutritional yeast to replicate the flavor of parmesan cheese and coconut cream in place of heavy cream. I hope this helps!
-Cassidy
MOSESBRODIN says
I tasked the hubby with throwing this in the crockpot the other day for dinner. It turned out so good! I wouldn't change a thing. I also shared it on my blog today -- linking back to you of course 🙂 Thanks for sharing!!
Cassidy Stauffer says
Oh YAY thank you! I'm so happy you liked it 😍
XO,
Cassidy
Harold Burton says
I have cooked this 1-2 times per week since I learnt this recipe. Very tasty and well worth the time and effort. I didn’t have a sieve handy when I first made this dish and I can say first hand how crucial that step is. I had no idea how big of a difference that was going to make until I experienced both outcomes.King oyster mushrooms are a good substitute if you cant get fresh shitake. I also I like to throw some bok choi in at the last minute to add some green to the meal.This dish reminds me and my lady of our favourite vegan ramen place in japan. Thank you so much for writing this, its a house favourite over here 🙂
Harold Burton
Rose Martine says
This looks tasty but might I suggest that you swap cage-free organic for pastured organic. From what I know, it seems like a kinder option!
This looks tasty but might I suggest that you swap cage-free organic for pastured organic. From what I know, it seems like a kinder option!
Regards
Rose Martine
Cassidy Stauffer says
Thanks for the tip Rose!!!
-Cassidy
Rose Martine says
Thank you for sharing this recipie, I made this tonight, and it was amazing!! I am am going to freeze the leftover miso mixture in an ice cube tray for easy measurement in the future. For soft boiled eggs place eggs in 1″ boiling water, cover and cook for 6 minutes exactly, and they come out perfectly. Thanks again!
Regards
rose martine
Deep Web says
Wow that looks delicious. I love spaghetti squash. I know what you mean about exploding spaghetti squashes — I cooked one in my microwave and it exploded, blew the door open, and just missed my baby in the high chair! I had poked the skin, but don’t think I stabbed it deep enough. I had to get a new microwave – it was totally destroyed. So I always cut them in half now…
Eve Hunt says
This is a great list! The thing I started making from scratch was chocolate syrup. Best chocolate milk ever!
Alisha Ross says
this was wonderful! Thank you for sharing all these tips and recipes..really helps those of us without the create gene;)
Cassidy Stauffer says
Thank you so much Alisha!!! It's my pleasure 🙂
-Cassidy
Moses Brodin says
recipe looks wonderful. i hope you don’t mind but i added this recipe to my site with working links to your page. can’t wait to try this one out!
Victoria Tegg says
I don't usually post on recipe blogs, but I just had to say how delicious this was. I made it exactly as the recipe states, and it was just absolutely divine. Making it again this weekend for a friend who doesn't eat dairy. Thanks so much!
Cassidy Stauffer says
Thank you Victoria!!! I'm so happy you liked it - thanks for taking the time to comment and let me know 🙂
-Cassidy
Raia Todd says
Sounds absolutely delicious! Thank you so much for sharing it with us at Allergy Free Thursdays!
Shirley @ gluten free easily (gfe) says
This looks absolutely delicious, Cassidy! I've always loved spaghetti carbonara!
Happy New Year!
Shirley