Spaghetti Squash Carbonara Recipe

By
Leah Maroney
Leah Maroney
Leah Maroney
A recipe developer and food photographer, Leah Maroney is an ardent home cook and food blogger who has written over 300 recipes for The Spruce Eats.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 05/27/22
Spaghetti Squash Carbonara

 The Spruce / Leah Maroney
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 40 mins
Total: 55 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
293 Calories
18g Fat
19g Carbs
16g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 293
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 18g 23%
Saturated Fat 8g 38%
Cholesterol 94mg 31%
Sodium 776mg 34%
Total Carbohydrate 19g 7%
Dietary Fiber 4g 13%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 16g
Vitamin C 12mg 60%
Calcium 155mg 12%
Iron 1mg 8%
Potassium 509mg 11%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Spaghetti squash carbonara takes all of the delicious flavors of creamy, bacon-studded spaghetti carbonara without any of the extra carbs. You won’t be able to stop eating this “pasta," but since it's Paleo-friendly and totally easy, you don't have to!

You can roast the spaghetti squash in the oven or if you need it even faster, we’ve included instructions on how it can be microwaved. Either way, it’s super simple to make and has very few ingredients. Everything you need for the sauce is probably already in your refrigerator.

Traditional carbonara does not contain any cream. However, in order to make this sauce extra creamy (and to compensate for their being no pasta and therefore no pasta water to develop the sauce), we’ve added heavy cream to this recipe. This is similar to the spaghetti squash alfredo recipe.

Ingredients

  • 2 large spaghetti squash

  • Salt, to taste

  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

  • 1/2 pound bacon, chopped

  • 2 garlic cloves, minced

  • 1/3 cup heavy cream

  • 1 egg yolk

  • 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving

  • Parsley, chopped fresh, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 400 F.

    Gather the ingredients for Spaghetti Squash Carbonara
    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

  2. Split each spaghetti squash in half vertically. Place them cut side up on a parchment-lined baking tray. Scoop out the seeds and pulp and discard.

    Sprinkle the halves with salt and pepper and spray with a little non-stick cooking spray. You can also use a tablespoon of olive oil. 

    Prepare squashes for Spaghetti Squash Carbonara
    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

  3. Place in the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes. The process may take shorter or longer depending on the size and density of your squash. You will know it is done when the flesh can easily be shredded into spaghetti-like strands with a fork. 

    Roast squash for Spaghetti Squash Carbonara
    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

  4. While the squash is baking, prepare the sauce.

    Add the bacon in a medium sauté pan on the stove. Start with a cold pan and then heat to medium-high heat. Sauté until the bacon is crispy, stirring frequently. 

    Fry bacon for Spaghetti Squash Carbonara
    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

  5. Add the minced garlic to the hot bacon grease. Allow the garlic to soften slightly and become fragrant, then turn the heat down to very low. 

    Add garlic for Spaghetti Squash Carbonara
    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

  6. Add the heavy cream to the pan, scrape the bottom of the pan when you add the cream to pull up any brown bits that have formed on the pan. Keep it simmering on very low heat. 

    Simmer sauce for Spaghetti Squash Carbonara
    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

  7. Whisk together the egg yolk with the Parmesan cheese in a small bowl. 

    Mix egg and cheese for Spaghetti Squash Carbonara
    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

  8. Remove the spaghetti squash from the oven and shred the flesh with a fork. 

    Shred squash for Spaghetti Squash Carbonara
    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

  9. Add the hot spaghetti squash to the pan containing the sauce. Add the egg and Parmesan mixture to the hot squash and quickly toss everything together. Turn off the heat to avoid scrambling any of the yolk. 

    Spaghetti Squash Carbonara
    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

  10. Once the squash is coated and the sauce is creamy, remove from the stove and serve with more Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley (if using). Serve immediately. Enjoy!

    Spaghetti Squash Carbonara
    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

Raw Egg Warning

Consuming raw and lightly-cooked eggs poses a risk of food-borne illness.

Tip

  • You can microwave the spaghetti squash. Place it on a large plate and wrap each half with plastic wrap. Microwave for about 15 minutes or until tender. 

Recipe Variations

  • For a spicier carbonara, add a teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the garlic and bacon. Sauté along with the garlic to release its flavor.