Zucchini carbonara – it’s super tasty, quick and easy to make and perfect for snack, lunch, dinner or any occasion.
Zucchini carbonara
My favourite type of mid-week recipe has to tick a few boxes.
Firstly and most importantly, it has to be tasty and have some nutritional value.
Secondly, it must be easy and quick to make and finally, it’s best if the ingredients aren’t too expensive and they have to be in the house already (it’s rare that I go out to buy one or two ingredients for dinner unless it’s for something special).
Zucchini carbonara is most definitely tasty.
It's certainly not the same as the classic version of carbonara pasta but it's as delicious.
It has zucchini, onion and egg so there are a few nutritional boxes ticked.
You can pretty much make the sauce in the time it takes to boil the pasta and it doesn’t cost the earth to make and I nearly always have all the ingredients on hand.
What do you need to make zucchini carbonara
To make this zucchini pasta you will need:
- Lemon zest - optional to serve
- Olive oil
- Brown onion - diced
- Chopped ham - bacon
- Garlic clove - crushed
- White wine (optional)
- Zucchini - diced finely
- Cream - full fat cream
- Salt and pepper
- Egg - beaten (or use just egg yolks)
- Pasta - for two (I like fettuccini)
- Parmesan - (also called pecorino cheese) grated to serve
There was a time years ago where it featured on our menu at least once a fortnight.
Usually in the weeks after Tree Day (where I bake a ham while we put up the Christmas tree on December 1st) we have it nearly every week to make the most of our ham supply.
It's a great way to use up Christmas ham.
We used to have chooks and once they started laying, I became obsessed with making fresh pasta.
Don't feel obliged to make your pasta though. You can use whatever sort you like. Bow tie pasta would be pretty and catch the carbonara sauce well.
This creamy sauce complements it perfectly.
Plus there’s nothing like pouring over a lovely, yellow fresh egg to bring it all together. Enjoy!
What about you? What are your ‘essential ingredients’ in a weeknight dinner?
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Recipe
Zucchini carbonara
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 brown onion diced
- 100-150 g 3-5 lbs chopped ham or bacon
- 1 garlic clove crushed
- 50 ml white wine optional
- 1 zucchini diced
- ⅔ cup cream
- Salt and pepper
- 1 free-range egg beaten
- Pasta for two I like fettucini
- Grated parmesan parmigiano reggiano to serve
Instructions
- In a very large frying pan, saute the onion in a good splash of olive oil over medium high heat.
- Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta to al dente according to package instructions.
- Reduce to medium heat then add the ham/bacon and garlic to the hot pan and cook, stirring, until the onion is transparent.
- Add the wine and cook until it no longer smells alcoholic.
- Add the chopped zucchini and cook another few minutes (meanwhile prepare the pasta).
- Stir through the cream and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini is cooked (a couple of minutes).
- Add a pinch of salt (or more) and two big pinches of black pepper (or to taste) and remove the pan from the heat.
- Add the hot pasta and beaten egg mixture and use tongs to toss it all together. Work quickly so you don’t end up with scrambled eggs on top. You may need to add a ladleful of the reserved cooking water to create a silky sauce.
- Serve topped with grated parmesan (& lemon zest if desired).
Lizzie {Strayed Table} says
Wow, yum. Yours looks so good, I really need to get that recipe up on my blog. Ah, one day. I still make it all the time too as we always seem to have silly amounts of zucchini's from the garden. Hope you are doing well Claire.
Claire says
It's so good Lizzie!
Lorraine @Not Quite Nigella says
I like the addition of zucchini! It makes it more of a one pot meal which I am a big fan of :D
Claire says
Me too Lorraine!
Hotly Spiced says
That's a lot of good reasons for a meal like this. I agree! I like how you're able to make your own pasta now that you have so many of your own eggs - what a treat! I love the look of this carbonara; I've never added zucchini to a carbonara so must give this a try. I was horrified to read about the lice in your comment on my blog! I haven't taken all the placemats out of the cellophane wrapping - might do that outside! xx
Claire says
There's more to the egg story sadly Charlie. Stay tuned. Oh yes make sure you check them all! x