Spaghetti Squash Carbonara Recipe (Low Carb, Gluten-Free) (2024)

Spaghetti Squash Carbonara Recipe (Low Carb, Gluten-Free) (1)

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One of the markers of fall is all thefresh squash everywhere, and spaghetti squash is the best kind for so many reasons. Itsimply moreversatile than any of the varieties out there, because it can replace pasta so effortlessly. It can take on any flavors you like, making the possibilities with it just endless. You can even twirl it around your fork like spaghetti, hence the name. It truly is my favorite kind of squash. And, spaghetti squash carbonara is my favorite way to make it.

If you haven’t made low carb spaghetti squash to replace pasta before, it’s actually much simpler than it looks. The most challenging part is cutting it open, since the skin is very hard prior to cooking. A sharp knife is crucial here!

Spaghetti Squash Carbonara Recipe (Low Carb, Gluten-Free) (2)

Otherwise, you just cook spaghetti squash in the oven. And, don’t be put off by how long spaghetti squash takes to cook in the oven. The time is all hands off! If you’ve got a busy evening with other things to do besides cooking dinner (um, who doesn’t?), spaghetti squash is a great option.You can pop it in there and go do something else while it cooks. I first learned to do it from The Kitchn, though I’ve since tweaked the method to use a lower oven temperature because I found it cooks more evenly that way.Once enough time has passed – usually about 35 to 40minutes at 375 degrees with my method – it’s all a breeze from there. Use a fork to pull out the spaghetti-like strands, and at this point it’s a blank canvas for any pasta dish you want to make low carb.

At the moment, that’s spaghetti squash carbonaraat our house.

This creamy bacon spaghetti squash carbonara recipe is savory enough to work equally well as a main dish or a side dish.You can even throw some chicken in there for additional protein if you’re so inclined. Although it’s gluten-free, grain-free, and low carb, it doesn’t taste that way at all. If you’re looking for a satisfying dinner, trust me –this is the one.

Spaghetti Squash Carbonara Recipe (Low Carb, Gluten-Free) (3)

My first attempt at making the carbonara sauce involved simmering, which ended up scrambling the egg. What a disaster, needless to say.Don’t make my mistake! This time, I let the heat of the squash noodles thicken the sauce, which turned out much better.

Now it’s all smooth, creamy, and everything a carbonara dish should be–exceptwithout all the carbs. Yes, I’ll be making this spaghetti squash carbonara again and again…

Tools To Make Keto Spaghetti Squash Carbonara

Tap the links below to see the items used to make this recipe.

  • Baking Sheet – I always choose this baking sheet whenever a recipe calls for one.
  • Skillet – This nonstick skillet set has two sizes to choose from. Perfect for making this low carb dinner recipe.
  • Whisk – This is a great whisk to add to your collection of kitchen utensils.

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Recipe Card

Spaghetti Squash Carbonara Recipe (Low Carb, Gluten-Free) (5)

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Spaghetti Squash Carbonara

This low carb spaghetti squash carbonara recipe features a creamy, decadent bacon carbonara sauce. Gluten-free, with only 9 ingredients & 11 grams carbs!

Prep: 10 minutes

Cook: 40 minutes

Total: 50 minutes

Author: Maya Krampf from WholesomeYum.com

Servings: 6 (adjust to scale recipe)

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Ingredients

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Instructions

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  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (191 degrees C). Slice the spaghetti squash in half length-wise. Remove the seeds. Place in a lined baking sheet, cut side down. Bake for about 35-40 minutes, until a fork can easily pierce the skin.

  2. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Saute the garlic and bacon bits, until the bacon is sizzling (about 2-3 minutes).

  3. Add green peas. If the peas were raw, saute for 3-5 more minutes, until peas are bright green. (If adding pre-cooked or canned peas, you can proceed to the next step right away.) Remove from heat.

  4. Whisk heavy cream, eggs, and parmesan cheese in a bowl.

  5. When the spaghetti squash is done baking, use a fork to pull out the "noodles". While they are still hot, stir in the egg parmesan mixture, then add the bacon mixture. Season with sea salt to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley and additional parmesan cheese if desired.

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  • Is Spaghetti Squash Keto? Carbs in Spaghetti Squash

Recipe Notes

Serving size:1 1/2 cups

Nutrition Facts

Amount per serving. Serving size in recipe notes above.

Calories291.3

Fat19g

Protein15.2g

Total Carbs15.8g

Net Carbs11.2g

Fiber4.6g

Sugar2.9g

Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.

Course:Main Course

Cuisine:Italian

Keywords:bacon, carbonara, gluten-free, keto, low carb, nut-free, spaghetti squash, sugar-free

Calories: 291.3 kcal

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We'd LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. 🙂

Healthy Low Carb Spaghetti Squash Carbonara Recipe

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Spaghetti Squash Carbonara Recipe (Low Carb, Gluten-Free) (13)

Spaghetti Squash Carbonara Recipe (Low Carb, Gluten-Free) (2024)

FAQs

Is spaghetti squash good for a low carb diet? ›

Since one cup of spaghetti squash contains 8 net carbohydrates (that is, 10 grams of total carbs minus 2 grams of fiber), it can be considered a low-carb or keto food.

Which ingredient should never be used in traditional carbonara? ›

What not to put in Spaghetti Carbonara? Don't put garlic, cream, milk or butter. It is not needed. It is fine if you want to make a dish with those ingredients, but if you want to learn how to make this dish correctly, use only pecorino, eggs/egg yolks, black pepper, guanciale, and pasta water.

Is spaghetti squash healthy for weight loss? ›

Plus, because it has only 42 calories per cup (155 grams), using spaghetti squash as a low calorie alternative in recipes such as gratin, casseroles, lasagna, or pasta dishes may help promote weight loss. Spaghetti squash is low in calories and high in fiber, making it a great addition to a weight loss diet.

How many carbs are in spaghetti squash vs pasta? ›

Spaghetti contains on average about 200 calories and 42 grams of carbohydrates per serving (2 ounces). However, spaghetti squash contains only 70 calories and around 17 carbohydrates per serving. A serving of spaghetti squash is about 4 ounces, and one spaghetti squash serves four people.

When should you not eat spaghetti squash? ›

That's a long time, but it would be a mistake to use spaghetti squash once it's started going bad. Some small unsavory spots can be cut away, but you'll want to toss the squash if it feels mushy, soft, or hollow.

How many net carbs are in 1 cup of spaghetti squash? ›

A cup of spaghetti squash has 7 grams total carbs or 5 grams net carbs. Is spaghetti squash keto? Yes. At 5 grams of net carbs per cup, spaghetti squash is a low-carb, keto-friendly carb choice compared to spaghetti, which has 45 grams of carbs per cup.

What is the golden rule of cooking a carbonara? ›

The golden rule to silky carbonara is to whisk your egg whites so that they're completely incorporated with the egg yolks.

Do Italians put cream in carbonara? ›

Should carbonara have cream? Typically carbonara sauce is only made of eggs, bacon, parmesan, olive oil, seasoning, and sometimes, vegetables. As for cream, Italians will tell you that is a big no no.

What are the biggest carbonara mistakes? ›

1. Adding your eggs while the pasta is still on the heat. This is one of the most common mistakes when making carbonara. It is very easy to end up with pasta a la scrambled eggs instead.

Which has less carbs, zucchini or spaghetti squash? ›

From the above comparison, you can tell that: Zucchini Pasta is lower in carbohydrates (3.361 g), in sodium (9 mg), in sugars (0.581 g), in total fat (0.084 g) and in calories (10 cals). Zucchini Pasta has more protein (1.371 g), more potassium (333 mg) and more dietary fiber (0.013 g).

Is spaghetti squash inflammatory? ›

Registered dietitian Jennifer Neale notes that spaghetti squash contains moderate amounts of vitamin C and carotenoids—both of which have anti-inflammatory benefits. Though spaghetti squash doesn't quite stack up against nutritional powerhouses like kale or berries, its versatility is nearly unmatched.

Can diabetics eat spaghetti squash? ›

Yes, people living with diabetes can eat spaghetti squash as it is a low-carbohydrate and low-glycemic index vegetable. It can be a healthy substitute for pasta in their diet.

Why is spaghetti squash not keto? ›

As for dietary fiber, it doesn't get digested at all, making it 'free' or non-countable carbs as far as Keto is concerned. That means from a net carbohydrate perspective (total carbs minus fiber), spaghetti squash ranks lower and may fit more comfortably into a keto diet plan.

Can you eat spaghetti on a low-carb diet? ›

Though pasta is versatile and inexpensive, it's also high in carbs. Choosing a whole wheat variety is typically lower in carbs. Just 1 cup (151 grams) of cooked spaghetti packs 46 grams of carbs (43 grams net carbs). The same amount of whole wheat pasta provides 45 grams (39 grams net carbs).

Is spaghetti squash high in carbs or sugar? ›

“It's really a great way to cut calories from your meal without sacrificing that mouthfeel you're looking for.” Additionally, because spaghetti squash is high in fiber and low in carbs, Czerwony says, it won't mess with your blood sugar the same way high-carb foods —particularly semolina pasta — can.

Which squash has the lowest carbs? ›

Here's a handy reference of popular squash varieties if you want to know how many net carbs are in one cup of squash:
  • Acorn squash: 13 g.
  • Spaghetti squash: 5.5 g.
  • Yellow summer squash: 2 g (!)
  • Zucchini squash: 3 g.
  • Hubbard squash: 15 g.
  • Calabaza squash: 1 g (!!)
  • Delicata squash: 1 g (!!!)
  • Kabocha squash: 9 g.

Can I eat spaghetti on a no carb diet? ›

What should you avoid eating on a no carb diet? A no-carb diet is highly restrictive and eliminates several food groups, such as: Grains: rice, farro, barley, quinoa, wheat, bread, pasta.

Does spaghetti squash spike insulin? ›

Does Spaghetti Squash Spike Insulin? No, spaghetti squash does not spike insulin levels. It is a low-carbohydrate vegetable that is high in fiber and water content, which helps to slow down the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream and prevent spikes in insulin levels.

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