Comfort food made healthier with this Healthier Carbonara Pasta! This tasty pasta Carbonara is made with cauliflower sauce. Bacon, green onions and Parmesan perfect the meal.
On Sunday we've had snow for the third time this season. And this time it feels like it's here to stay. If not on the calendar, winter has nevertheless begun here in Calgary. How fascinating it is to live in different parts of the world with vast changes in climate (looking at you, SE Asia).
Saturday was still fairly warm and sunny, so I brought our potted tomato plant out on the balcony. And by that I think I finally killed it off. We went out for Konrad's birthday dinner and I didn't think of the tomatoes again until Olivia's night feeding at 2 am.
By then it was -5 C (23 F) out. I rushed to get it in, but morning showed that I was too late. All leaves are hanging down sad and soggy. The green tomatoes on it might be fine still. I'll wait and see if they will turn red eventually. One can only have faith. Regarding our tomatoes, I have faith in droves. I love growing veggies.
Making a Healthy Alternative to Carbonara
Well, all day Sunday, the flurries just kept coming and coming. We spent the afternoon cozied up on the couch, sipping hot coffee, snuggling with baby Olivia while watching the world outside being covered up in white (I try to forget the piles and piles of laundry I was folding at the same time).
After the rough week we have all had, this was just the kind of time out we needed. And to end the day, some simple but delicious comfort food was called for and so, this fabulous dinner came to be.
Last week I shared with you my way of making healthier Alfredo sauce from cauliflower. It is a solid contender to the less-healthy alternative. Personally, making alfredo from cauliflower gives me a sense of accomplishment. My favorite quick meal to make with it is any kind of pasta. To give it an extra kick, I add bacon and green onions and call it Carbonara.
Quick and Simple, Add Variety As You Please
If you have the sauce ready and waiting for you, this healthier Carbonara pasta meal comes together in about 15 minutes. Exactly the amount of time I could handle being away from the couch yesterday. I'm sure you can relate to that at times.
You can use any kind and shape of pasta. I had regular fettuccine, but you can use whole wheat, gluten free or low glycemic pasta. Now you just fry the bacon, add the cauliflower sauce, pasta, green onions and a sprinkle of Parmesan.
Of course you could add some more protein, like sliced chicken breast or even some salmon.
Recipe
Healthier Carbonara Pasta
Ingredients
- ½ pound pasta
- 6 slices bacon diced
- 1 ½ cups Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce see recipe from previous post
- ¼ cup green onion sliced
- Parmesan cheese grated, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to directions.
- In a large frying pan cook the bacon dices until crispy. Drain most of the bacon grease, but leave some for flavor.
- Add the Cauliflower sauce to the pan until heated through. Stir in cooked pasta and green onions.
- Serve pasta hot and sprinkle with more green onions and grated Parmesan cheese to taste.
- When heating leftovers you might need to add a little more sauce or water to moisten.
Pin Healthy Pasta Carbonara recipe for later?
Update:
For more creative cauliflower recipes check out 4 Surprising Ways to Cook With Cauliflower!
Other Recipes You Might Enjoy
Check out these similar recipes, and keep on keeping it real.
- Pesto Chicken Pasta (Gluten Free) - Video
- Bacon-Wrapped Scallops Pasta - Video
- Vegan Pasta Bake (Gluten Free)
- Creamy Bacon Pasta with Spinach
- Homemade Whole Wheat Pasta
Random Questions
While traditional carbonara can be rich and high in calories, this healthier version with cauliflower sauce offers a more nutritious alternative. It incorporates vegetables and lean protein, making it a more balanced choice.
Between the two, the healthier option depends on the preparation. Traditional Alfredo sauce tends to be rich in butter and cream, while carbonara typically includes eggs, cheese, and pork. This cauliflower-based carbonara recipe offers a lighter alternative to both.
Carbonara pairs well with long, thin pasta shapes like spaghetti, fettuccine, or linguine. However, you can also use whole wheat, gluten-free, or low glycemic pasta based on your dietary preferences and needs.
With this cauliflower-based sauce, you can enjoy the nutritional benefits of cauliflower, which is a great source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Additionally, the dish includes green onions and bacon, providing a good balance of flavors and nutrients.
Kelsey
This looks really good but I've never tried cauliflower. I'm not necessarily the bigger vegetable lover but I do have my favorites. Does this taste the same or similar to a regular carbonara sauce?
Regina
I wouldn't go as far as to say it is just like carbonara. It will give your pasta a similar consistency but with the benefit of consuming a good amount of vegetables at the same time
Kasandra
I love this cauliflower sauce for everything. I used my Nutribullet to blend this and added my soy butter for creaminess. YUM. I also froze the sauce for later.
Regina
This is awesome Kasandra! So happy to hear you are making full use of the versatility of this sauce 🙂
Lauren
OMG, I am SOOOO making this!!! When I saw this on IG (and so many OTHER recipes I missed, I had to come see it!) Pinning it and the sauce now!
Regina
Thanks so much for visiting Lauren. And of course for pinning! Btw...the inlaws are getting us the recommended Manfrotto tripod for Christmas. Ahhh....excited!!
Lauren
Oh, yay! Good luck!!!
Jacquee
This looks so hearty and inviting! I want to plant my face into that last shot...let's hope I miss the fork. 🙂
Regina
Ahh....thank you Jacquee. This sauce it really fantastic. Paired with pasta and bacon you just cant go wrong 😀