Lite Pasta Carbonara
Lighten up your favorite comfort food with this irresistibly creamy Lite Pasta Carbonara! This healthier twist on the classic Italian dish swaps heavy cream and traditional bacon for protein-packed Greek yogurt and lean turkey or chicken bacon, delivering all the flavor with fewer calories. Whole wheat pasta adds a hearty, fiber-rich base, while freshly minced garlic and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese lend bold, savory notes. Ready in just 30 minutes, this quick and easy pasta recipe is perfect for a wholesome weeknight dinner. Garnish with fresh parsley for a vibrant finish, and indulge guilt-free in this lighter take on carbonara!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 300 grams spaghetti or whole wheat pasta
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 100 grams turkey or chicken bacon, diced
- 2 large eggs
- 30 grams grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt (non-fat)
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and diced turkey/chicken bacon. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the bacon is crisp and the garlic is fragrant. Remove the skillet from heat.
In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, grated Parmesan cheese, Greek yogurt, salt, and black pepper until smooth. Set aside.
Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the cooked bacon. Toss until evenly coated with the oil and bacon bits.
Slowly pour the egg mixture over the pasta. Using tongs, toss the pasta quickly to evenly coat it with the sauce. The residual heat from the pasta will cook the egg mixture and create a creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta cooking water (1-2 tablespoons at a time) until the desired consistency is reached.
Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley if desired, and enjoy your Lite Pasta Carbonara!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1081 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 51.5 g | 66% | |
| Saturated Fat | 16.8 g | 84% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 469 mg | 156% | |
| Sodium | 2844 mg | 124% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 96.8 g | 35% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.9 g | 21% | |
| Total Sugars | 2.6 g | ||
| Protein | 57.8 g | 116% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.1 mcg | 10% | |
| Calcium | 443 mg | 34% | |
| Iron | 5.6 mg | 31% | |
| Potassium | 545 mg | 12% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
