BLT Spaghetti Carbonara
Now that I’ve used up my zucchini (you’re thinking oh thank goodness…..not a zucchini post again, right? 😀 ). Well the tomatoes are coming on strong! Are you in the same boat? We have been enjoying BLT sandwiches almost every night, but hey man can’t live on BLT’s alone right?
BLT Spaghetti Carbonara
Anyway even if you could, why would you want to? Why when you can have BLT Spaghetti Carbonara!
BLT Spaghetti Carbonara
What? Yes….that’s correct….this is bacon, lettuce and tomato spaghetti carbonara!
BLT Spaghetti Carbonara
And it is oooey-cheesey goodness! The hot noodles melt the cheese, cooks the eggs and wilts the lettuce. It all happens in just 30 minutes or less – it’s the perfect weeknight meal!
BLT Spaghetti Carbonara
Plus since you get to use up those tomatoes coming on in the garden right now, you feel like you’re doing something good for yourself….right? Well in my own defense, I did use low carb pasta so that makes it ok as long as you don’t overload your plate. I think this is meal just delicious and I bet you will too! 😀 Wanna give it a try? Here’s the recipe;
BLT Spaghetti Carbonara
Ingredients
- 8-10 slices thick cut bacon
- 3-4 tomatoes chopped
- 1 cups head romaine lettuce or 2 spinach chopped. (You can also use 2 cups chopped kale*, see notes below),
- 1 red onion diced
- 1 clove garlic minced (2 if small)
- 1/4 cup basil torn or cut into strips - a chiffonade
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese plus an additional 1/2 cup to sprinkle on top at the end.
- 1 1 lb package dry spaghetti
- 1 cup spaghetti cooking liquid
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cut the bacon into lardons and place in a cold pan on the stove (this is a great time to use your cast iron skillet, it crisps up the bacon so nicely). Turn the heat onto medium to medium/low and cook the bacon until crisp.
- Cook the pasta according to package directions to al-dente'. You'll want to time this to get done about the same time the onions are finished sautéing.
- Add the parmesan cheese to a bowl, crack both of the eggs into the parmesan and mix it together well, set aside.
- Time to chop the vegetables. Chop the onion, tomatoes, lettuce and mince the garlic. When the bacon is crispy, remove it from the pan. Drain some of the bacon grease from the pan, keep a little more than a tablespoon in the pan. Also keep all of those good bits that are stuck to the bottom of the pan - love that flavor! Increase the heat to medium. Next add the onions and sauté. *If you choose to use kale instead of romaine lettuce, add it to the pan at the same time as the onions and sauté'. Sauté the onions for about 5 minutes until they become translucent. Add the garlic to the pan and sauté for about a minute.
- By now the pasta should be done and ready to drain. Keep one cup of the pasta cooking liquid and drain the rest. Turn the heat off in the saute pan and add the hot pasta to the pan. Then immediately add the egg-parmesan mixture and start mixing to combine. After about 2 minutes, add in the bacon, tomatoes and romaine lettuce - continue mixing. You'll need to add water as you're mixing - probably nearly all of it to loosen up the sauce. The pasta should be silky in texture, not clumpy and stuck together, you'll get that by adding the pasta water in bit by bit.
- Mix it together with a pair of tongs - it seems like it takes a long time to mix, but really give it 3-4 minutes of good mixing, it spreads the flavors thru-out the pasta. Finishing by adding several twists of freshly ground black pepper and sprinkling on the basil and additional parmesan cheese (if desired).
Nutrition
Sheri Van Wert says
That looks soooo good!
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks Sheri, it’s super yummy!!
Debi @ Life Currents says
This is a great recipe. Everyone loves a BLT, and then to put it with pasta, simply awesome.
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks Debi, we really enjoyed this meal!
Marlynn @UrbanBlissLife says
Such a creative veggie-packed twist on a classic carbonara. Love it!
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks Marlynn!
Dee Dee says
Oh man, this looks so fresh and so good! I love how basic and fresh ingredients can be so delicious”
Bowl Me Over says
Totally with you there Dee Dee – it’s so easy to over think things!
Michelle @ The Complete Savorist says
Debra, this looks wonderful. I could use a bowl.
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks Michelle!
Joanne T Ferguson says
I LOVE carbonara and this looks to be a unique and healthy recipe Pinned and shared!
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks Joanne, much appreciated!!
mimi says
Interesting! Did the lettuce do anything for the pasta?
Bowl Me Over says
Yes, I thought it was delicious, kale is a great substitute also. Thanks for stopping by Mimi!
Sabrina @ Dinner, then Dessert says
Yum! I love this idea, carbonara pasta and BLTs are two things I absolutely adore!
Bowl Me Over says
It’s a great combination Sabrina, I bet you & your family will really enjoy it!
Healing Tomato says
Frankly, there is no such thing as too many zucchini recipe, LOL! I really love hearing that you grow your own tomatoes! Don’t be surprised if I show up at your door with an empty basket! 🙂 This carbonara recipe looks very hearty and delicious.
Bowl Me Over says
You are welcome anytime Healing Tomato – would love to share a meal with you! 😀