Zucchini Bacon Carbonara Delight
Indulge in a low-carb twist on a classic favorite with our Zucchini Bacon Carbonara Delight! This vibrant dish combines the satisfying textures of zucchini 'noodles' and a hint of angel hair pasta, making every bite a beautiful and flavorful experience. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or an impressive meal for entertaining, this recipe infuses the smoky richness of crispy bacon with aromatic garlic, tender zucchini, and freshly shaved Parmesan. You'll love how easy it is to prepare yet upscale enough to imagine enjoying it on a sunny Californian patio. Plus, it’s a great way to relish your love for pasta while keeping those carb counts in check. Whether you’re an avid cook or a busy individual looking for a hearty meal, this dish hits all the right notes!
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Angel hair pasta
5 ounces (broken in half)
Bacon
7 slices (fried crisp)
Extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons (for cooking)
Onion
1 small (diced)
Zucchini
2 medium (cut into ribbons)
Garlic cloves
2 (minced)
Eggs
2 (beaten)
Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon (for seasoning)
Red pepper flakes
1 dash (for seasoning)
Salt
to taste
Pepper
to taste
Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup (freshly shaved)
Fresh parsley
to taste (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
1
For a lower-carb option, adjust the quantity of angel hair pasta or substitute with a low-carb alternative.
2
Break angel hair pasta strands into halves for just the right amount and to prevent overcooking.
3
In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta until al dente (about 3-4 minutes). Reserve 1-2 cups of hot pasta water; drain the rest.
4
In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crisp. Transfer the bacon to paper towels to drain, leaving the drippings in the pan.
5
Add the diced onion to the skillet and sauté over medium-low heat until the onion is nearly translucent. Stir in minced garlic in the last 2 minutes to prevent browning. Then, add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes for an extra flavor kick.
6
Prepare the zucchini ribbons by washing, drying, and cutting off the ends. Using a sharp potato peeler, create long ribbons by peeling firmly down the length of the zucchini. Rotate and repeat until until you reach the center with seeds; discard the seedy core.
7
Introduce the zucchini ribbons to the skillet on medium heat, coating them gently with the onion mixture. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring carefully to avoid breaking the ribbons.
8
Combine the hot pasta with the zucchini, tossing to coat everything in the rich, seasoned drippings. Add reserved pasta water incrementally to achieve the desired sauce consistency – it should be glossy but not runny!
9
Raise the heat to medium-high, tossing frequently, then pour the beaten eggs evenly over the pasta and zucchini. Quickly mix to coat, ensuring the hot ingredients cook the eggs evenly without scrambling.
10
Stir in crumbled bacon, season with salt and pepper to taste, and finish with freshly shaved Parmesan, tossing gently to combine.
11
Serve immediately while hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley, and enjoy this delightful dish!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zucchini Bacon Carbonara Delight?
It is a low-carb twist on classic carbonara that combines zucchini ribbons with angel hair pasta, crispy bacon, garlic, and freshly shaved Parmesan.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to serve 4 people.
What type of pasta is used in this dish?
The recipe uses 5 ounces of angel hair pasta, which is broken in half before cooking.
How can I make this recipe even lower in carbohydrates?
You can adjust the quantity of the angel hair pasta or substitute it entirely with a low-carb pasta alternative.
What is the recommended cooking time for the angel hair pasta?
Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until it is al dente, which typically takes about 3-4 minutes.
Should I save any of the pasta cooking water?
Yes, you should reserve 1-2 cups of the hot pasta water before draining the rest to help create the sauce.
How many slices of bacon are required?
The recipe calls for 7 slices of bacon, fried until crisp.
How do I prepare the zucchini for this carbonara?
Wash and dry 2 medium zucchinis, cut off the ends, and use a sharp potato peeler to create long ribbons by peeling firmly down the length.
Which part of the zucchini should I avoid using?
You should stop peeling once you reach the center with seeds and discard the seedy core.
How do I cook the onions and garlic?
Sauté the diced onion in bacon drippings until translucent, then add minced garlic during the last 2 minutes to prevent it from browning.
What seasonings are included in the zucchini mixture?
The dish is seasoned with 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning and a dash of red pepper flakes for an extra kick.
How long should I cook the zucchini ribbons in the skillet?
Introduce the ribbons to the skillet and cook on medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring carefully.
How do I achieve the desired sauce consistency?
Add the reserved pasta water incrementally to the pasta and zucchini mixture until it is glossy but not runny.
How are the eggs incorporated into the dish?
Raise the heat to medium-high and pour 2 beaten eggs evenly over the hot pasta and zucchini, mixing quickly to coat everything evenly.
How do I prevent the eggs from scrambling?
Quickly mix the eggs into the hot ingredients to ensure they cook evenly and form a sauce rather than scrambling.
What kind of cheese is recommended for the finish?
The recipe suggests using 1/4 cup of freshly shaved Parmesan cheese.
How should the dish be garnished?
Garnish the final dish with chopped fresh parsley to taste.
Is there olive oil used in this recipe?
Yes, 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil are used for cooking.
What size onion should I use?
A small onion, diced, is sufficient for this recipe.
When should the cooked bacon be returned to the pan?
Stir in the crumbled bacon near the end, just before adding the cheese and serving.
Can I use ground pepper in this recipe?
Yes, season with salt and pepper to taste during the final steps.
What is the total number of ingredients in this recipe?
There are a total of 13 ingredients listed for this dish.
Should the zucchini ribbons be washed?
Yes, the zucchini should be washed and dried before being cut into ribbons.
Is this dish served hot or cold?
It should be served immediately while hot for the best flavor and texture.
Can this be made vegetarian?
While the recipe includes bacon, it is noted as having a 'vegetarian option' tag, suggesting you could omit the bacon or use a substitute.
How do I handle the bacon drippings?
Keep the drippings in the pan after frying the bacon to use for sautéing the onions and coating the zucchini.
What is the texture of the zucchini in this dish?
The zucchini is cut into long ribbons to mimic the texture of pasta 'noodles'.
Why break the angel hair pasta strands?
Breaking them into halves helps ensure the right amount and prevents overcooking.
Is this a quick meal to prepare?
Yes, it is tagged as a 'quick meal' and is perfect for busy weeknights.
What is the flavor profile of this carbonara?
It features smoky richness from bacon, aromatic garlic, and fresh Parmesan with a hint of spice from red pepper flakes.