This Zoodles Carbonara pasta recipe is gluten free, low carb, keto friendly optional and can be ready in under 30 minutes!
If you were to ask me what was in my top 10 favourite foods of all time – carbonara pasta would definitely be one of them. There is something really satisfying about a big bowl of cheesy, creamy noodles with the salty kick from pancetta or bacon.
It’s probably not an every day dish because carbonara is decadently rich, so I set out to make a version that was a little more weeknight friendly. This zoodles carbonara is a low carb, gluten free option for those who are craving that cheesy goodness.
Table of contents
What is Pasta Carbonara?
Carbonara is basically an Italian pasta dish made with egg yolks, pancetta or bacon, lots of parmesan cheese and pasta. It tastes super creamy, but miraculously, it is completely cream-free! My zoodles carbonara version swaps in zucchini noodles in place of the pasta, and adds a handful of peas in for some extra fibre and veg.
Key Ingredients
Zucchini – When choosing zucchini, make sure you have one that is very firm, and blemish free. I also prefer smaller thinner zucchini for this recipe since some fat ones won’t fit so well into your spiralizer. I also find that fat zucchini often are more watery, and the key to a good zoodle recipe is to limit moisture.
Bacon or pancetta– The difference between bacon and pancetta is that pancetta is not smoked the way bacon is and is usually a thicker cut. You can use whichever you can easily find!
Eggs – I prefer to use omega 3 eggs to bump up the healthy fats in this recipe.
Parmesan cheese – Use a good parmesan or asiago cheese and grate it yourself. There are so few ingredients, you want to use the best.
Black pepper– The black pepper is key to balancing out the salt and richness in this recipe. I promise this will not be a spicy recipe, just totally delish.
Key Equipment
All you really need to make this zoodles carbonara is a good spiralizer. I love the Kitchen-aid spiralizer attachment, but a stand alone handheld will work great too.
I also recommend a good cast iron skillet for cooking the zoodles to keep them really crisp.
How to Make This Recipe
Step 1: Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium heat and add one teaspoon of oil. Add in the pancetta, cook until crisp, then remove the bacon to a small dish.
Step 2: Saute shallot and garlic on medium heat.
Step 3: Add peas and stir until thawed through.
Step 4: Add in zucchini zoodles and saute on medium high heat until fully warmed through.
Step 5: Turn off heat and mix in egg and cheese mixture util coated. Add cooked pancetta and season with freshly cracked black pepper.
Expert Tips
The Key to Non-Soggy Zoodles – Now, this is important. I experimented with this recipe and updated it after some people were having trouble keeping this zoodles carbonara from getting soggy. Ultimately, zucchini are mainly water so you need to find a way to get the excess water OUT. The solution? Basic osmosis.
Lightly sprinkle the zoodles with a bit of salt to dry out the water. Press them into a few sheets of paper towel and let it sit for 10 minutes. Then, I rinse them off with cold water and lay them back on fresh sheets of paper towel to dry. Yes, I know it seems strange to remove water and then add water, but it DOES WORK.
Once you get them super dry, add them to the pan and let them cook ever so quickly. I like mine a little al dente so a quick little dip in the hot pan is all it takes. And there you go, NON SOGGY zoodles carbonara.
Recipe FAQ
The zucchini noodles in place of regular pasta noodles makes this zoodles carbonara dish super low carb while upping the fibre and veg.
If you don’t want to invest in a standard spiralizer, you can pick up an inexpensive handheld version which can be found at the dollarstore. No fancy equipment needed!
Absolutely! You can simply omit the pancetta or replace with another veg of your choice. This zoodles carbonara recipe still has tons of protein even without the pancetta.
Yes you can. Make sure when you thaw them out to squeeze out the excess water before you cooking to prevent the zoodles from getting soggy.
What are your favourite zucchini noodle recipes? Have you tried this amazing zoodles carbonara pasta? Leave me a comment below!
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Zoodles Carbonara Pasta (Gluten Free)
Ingredients
- 4 medium zucchinis top and bottom sliced off
- 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
- 2 slices pancetta diced
- 3 tsp olive oil divided
- 1 shallot minced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 egg yolk beaten
- 1/3 cup finely grated parmigiano cheese plus more for garnish if desired
- Cracked Black Pepper to taste
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with a few layers of paper towel. Lay the zucchini noodles down and sprinkle with salt. Top with another few layers of paper towel, a cutting board and some heavy items like books or pots. Let sit for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, transfer the noodles to a colander and rinse thoroughly with cold water to remove the salt.
- Refresh the paper towels on the baking sheet with a few new layers. Gently squeeze and shake the zoodles and lay them down on the paper towel. Top with a few more layers of paper towel, the cutting board and the heavy items. Let dry for 10 minutes.
- Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium heat and add one teaspoon of oil. Add in the pancetta, cook until crisp, then remove the bacon to a small dish and return the pan to the stove.
- Add in the remaining olive oil and return the pan to medium heat. Add in the shallot and saute for 2 minutes. Then add in the garlic and stir for 1 minute. Next, add the peas and stir until thawed through, about 2 minutes.
- Finally, add in the zucchini, increase the heat to medium high, and saute for 2-3 minutes or until fully warmed through.
- Turn off the heat.
- Beat together the eggs, egg yolk and cheese then add them to the pasta and toss gently until coated. This should take literally 2 minutes.
- Add back the bacon and season with freshly cracked black pepper.
- Divide between two bowls, add additional parmesan if desired, and season with salt to taste.
Video
Nutrition
Abbey Sharp is a Registered Dietitian (RD), regulated by the Ontario College of Dietitians. She is a mom, YouTuber, Blogger, award winning cookbook author, media coach specializing in food and nutrition influencers, and a frequent contributor to national publications like Healthline and on national broadcast TV shows.
Sophie Pit says
I very much enjoyed this recipe. I did however find the quantities a bit much for just 2 people but that might just be me. Thank you for sharing a good recipe. I have now made it twice and everyone always loves it.
Abbey Sharp says
So glad! They work great as leftovers too 🙂
Connie Greenwald says
Since I found this recipe after I went shopping I had to make a couple of adjustments but it turned out quite tasty. Mine was more like a frittata but still really good.
Abbey Sharp says
So glad! Thanks Connie
Stephanie says
Carbonara does not have cream, peas, or bacon! Please call this something else! :O
Abbey Sharp says
Hey Stephanie. I used pancetta actually, not bacon, and I don’t use cream either! This is also my take on it by making a few healthy swaps! Thanks for your comment
Sam says
Do you have a suggestion for an alternative to bacon/pancetta? I don’t eat pork.
Abbey Sharp says
Turkey, chicken or beef bacon works great!
Alisa says
Kosher salt but add pancetta? Is pancetta kosher? I’m confused!
Abbey Sharp says
I just like to cook with kosher salt, but the dish is not kosher.
Nicki says
Hi, can you freeze Zoodles ?
Abbey Sharp says
Yes you can! Just when you thaw it out, make sure you squeeze out a lot of the water before you cook it.
Greer says
Made this tonight! SO Delicious!!
Abbey Sharp says
So glad you liked 🙂
Joanna says
Abbey,
Thanks so much for sharing. I was wondering what ingredient I can use instead of eggs. My boyfriend gets an itchy throat when he eats eggs, but I’d really like to try this recipe. It looks delicious
Thanks!
Abbey Sharp says
Hey Joanna, I would use cream or milk as an alternative. I hope that helps! Enjoy 🙂
Sara says
Lovely gift ideas!
toni says
wondering why you dont include the amount of carbs per serving and all the other numbers like calories, fat, protein.
Abbey Sharp says
Good question. We dont believe in calorie countign here, but we likely will be adding these in the new year.
Erynn says
Hi Abbey!
I made this tonight and the flavor was delicious, but the “sauce” wasn’t what I had hoped it would be….it was very watery at the bottom of the pan. I even made sure to absorb most of the water out of my zoodles before I added them to the dish to be heated.
Is this how the sauce should come out or should i have done something differently to make it creamier?
I will definitely be making it again…look forward to your response! 🙂
Abbey Sharp says
Hm that is very strange. No, that doesnt happen to me and I make this all of the time. What kind of pan were you using? I sometimes find that nonstick skillets leach more water. Also, how firm were your zucchini? this is usually the culprit. Zucchinis for noodles need to be REALLY firm and not over ripe at all.
I have also adjusted the instructions slightly after retesting it a many times in a variety of ways (this post was from a year ago). I noticed I didn’t specify times, so I have made it more clear. The whole process has to happen very quickly- how long did you cook the zucchini before adding the sauce? I find it’s best kept kept very al dente.
I find that using just egg yolks tightens it up even more so I’ve adjusted that, and removing it from the heat before you add the sauce helps. It’s also worth adding a bit more cheese if needed to tighten, but I don’t ever have to do that.
I hope that helps! Zucchini noodles are finnicky, but with practice you find teh sweet spot.
Vanessa Madrigal says
This looks delicious! 🙂
Abbey Sharp says
so glad you like!!
Kelly D says
That looks so good – wish I had this recipe when I was Gluten Free!
Abbey Sharp says
lol well you can still make it now!
Judy Cowan says
That looks so good and I am not even a big fan of zucchini. I really want one of these spiralizers!
Abbey Sharp says
omg you need one
Char.willey says
I love my spiralizer!!
Abbey Sharp says
It’s the best!
Victoria Ess says
Oh my gosh, I want a spiralizer so badly! What is the model that you have?
Abbey Sharp says
I use an attachment for my kitchen aid usually.