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Healthy Pasta Carbonara

This healthy pasta carbonara will quickly become your back pocket, easy, delicious weeknight pasta meal! It uses a few pantry staples to create a creamy, decadent pasta. I also used Greek yogurt to lighten it up to make this a protein packed and nutritious meal!
Course Main Course
Keyword 30minmeal, healthy, pastacarbonara
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 6 oz macaroni noodles or pasta of choice
  • 2 eggs room temp.
  • 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt room temp.
  • 1 cup freshly grated parmesan
  • 1/2 cup peas fresh or frozen
  • 4-5 slices bacon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper plus more for topping
  • 4-5 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley for topping, optional
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil for topping, optional

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta liquid.
  2. Mix together the room temperature eggs and Greek yogurt until smooth and creamy. Gently mix in 3/4 cup of parmesan cheese and salt and pepper. Set aside.

  3. In a large skillet, cook the bacon so the fat is rendered and the bacon is crispy. Remove bacon from pan and chop into pieces. Wipe out the pan, leaving about a tablespoon of the bacon fat.

  4. To the skillet, add a 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil and bring to medium heat. Add the peas and garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the peas are warmed and the garlic is fragrant (do not burn the garlic).

  5. Add in the cooked pasta and chopped bacon and stir so all of the ingredients are mix together. Remove the pasta from the heat.

  6. Slowly stir in the egg mixture and toss with the pasta mixture so the warmth of the pasta cooks the eggs and create a nice, creamy sauce. If the pasta seems too dry, add a little of the reserved pasta water to help make it creamier. I only used about 1 tablespoon, but use as much as you like to get your pasta to your desired creaminess level!

  7. Add the lemon zest and mix until it is well-combined.

  8. Divide pasta amoung bowls. Top with extra parmesan, black pepper, and fresh herbs.

  9. Serve and enjoy!