Mushroom Carbonara with Smoked Bacon

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A rich carbonara featuring earthy mushrooms and smoky bacon, bound by a silky egg-cheese sauce. This italian-inspired noodles ready in about 30 minutes pairs spaghetti, chopped smoked bacon, sliced cremini mushrooms for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 600 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.

★ 4.3 (11 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 600 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI →

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil (use 1 tbsp salt). Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Step 2: Cook 4 chopped smoked bacon slices in a large skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes until crisp. Remove bacon and set aside, leaving 1 tbsp bacon fat in the skillet.
  3. Step 3: Add 8 oz sliced cremini mushrooms and 2 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes until mushrooms are tender and golden.
  4. Step 4: Whisk 2 large eggs, 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, and 1/2 tsp black pepper in a bowl until smooth.
  5. Step 5: Add drained spaghetti to the skillet with mushrooms. Remove skillet from heat and immediately pour egg mixture over pasta, tossing vigorously for 1 minute until sauce coats strands and thickens.
  6. Step 6: Stir in 2 tbsp reserved pasta water and 2 tbsp chopped cooked bacon. Season with salt if needed and serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Mushroom Carbonara with Smoked Bacon take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Mushroom Carbonara with Smoked Bacon?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep spaghetti from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Mushroom Carbonara with Smoked Bacon?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Mushroom Carbonara with Smoked Bacon for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Mushroom Carbonara with Smoked Bacon?

Italian noodles like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes