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

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

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

Get It Now

In This Post hide

  • Tools To Make Keto Spaghetti Squash Carbonara
  • Spaghetti Squash Carbonara

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.

RECIPE SAVED! The recipe was sent to your email. I also sent you your free login info. You can use that to access your saved recipes at My Favorites.

Recipe Card

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

4.84 from 31 votes☝️ Click stars to rate or click here to leave a review!

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)

Un-save RecipeSave Recipe Remove Ads

Recipe Video

Like this video? Subscribe to my YouTube cooking channel for healthy recipes!

ReviewPrint

US Customary - Metric

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them.

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.

  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.

Did You Like It?

Leave a rating to help other readers (this also helps me continue to provide free recipes on my site), or get the recipe sent to your inbox.

Rate recipe

Save Recipe

Related Easy Recipes

  • Fried Zucchini

  • Stuffed Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Boats

  • Fried Zucchini

  • 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

Pin It For Later!

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

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

FAQs

Is spaghetti squash good for low-carb diet? ›

One cup (155 grams) of cooked spaghetti squash contains 42 calories. That's only 18% of the 239 calories in 1 cup (151 grams) of cooked spaghetti ( 1 , 8 ). It's also a low carb alternative to pasta, containing only 10 grams of carbs in 1 cup.

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 good or bad for you? ›

Yes. One of the biggest benefits spaghetti squash has over other vegetables is its unusual noodle-like insides, which makes it a low calorie substitution for a variety of dishes. Depending on your health goals, this squash could be more beneficial to some, such as people with diabetes, than others.

Is spaghetti squash high in sugar? ›

One cup of spaghetti squash has 40 calories, 10 grams of carbohydrates, and 4 grams of sugar. Spaghetti squash is fat free and one cup provides 2 grams of fiber making it a great alternative to noodles and rice.

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.

Does spaghetti squash have less carbs than 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.

What is the golden rule of carbonara? ›

The golden rule to silky carbonara is to whisk your egg whites so that they're completely incorporated with the egg yolks. This will create a smooth, velvety sauce. As like any pasta dish, including carbonara, cook the pasta perfectly al dente so that it's soft but still firm, with some bite.

Why do people not like carbonara? ›

Some people may find the texture too heavy or slimy. Dietary restrictions: Carbonara is not a dish that can be easily modified to accommodate certain dietary restrictions. For example, it contains eggs, dairy, and often meat, making it unsuitable for vegans or those with lactose intolerance or egg allergies.

Why shouldn't you put cream in carbonara? ›

Cream covers the flavors and makes the dishes heavy. It's better to use better quality ingredients, if a dish isn't creamy enough it means that you don't know how to cook it, not that there is a need of cream ".

What are the downsides of spaghetti squash? ›

Does the spaghetti squash have any downsides? According to Czerwony, the only real downside of the spaghetti squash is if you have an allergy. “Unless you have an allergy, it's high in fiber and essential vitamins while being low in calories and carbs,” she says.

Can I eat spaghetti squash on keto? ›

Our true winner is the famously low-carb spaghetti squash, with has just under 8 net carbohydrates per cup. In summary, you shouldn't make any winter squash a regular occurance on your keto-menu, but every so often it's an ingredient you can enjoy while still staying on track.

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.

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.

Is spaghetti squash full of carbs? ›

Does spaghetti squash have carbs? Yes: While not as low as other squash varieties like zuccchini, spaghetti squash carbs are still on the lower side. In one cup of cooked spaghetti squash, you'll find 10 grams of total carbs [*].

Can diabetics eat spaghetti squash? ›

Spaghetti squash is a low-carb pasta substitute

Spaghetti squash has lots of fiber, making it among the best veggies for people with diabetes. This large amount of fiber causes a slow release of sugars into your body after you eat, which lowers your overall blood sugar.

What 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.

Does spaghetti squash spike blood sugar? ›

"Spaghetti squash has a low glycemic index which means it will not cause a sudden spike in blood sugar like higher-carbohydrate alternatives,” Richards says.

Can you eat squash on a low carb diet? ›

There are about 6.5 net carbs in a one-cup serving of kabocha squash and less than 3 grams of net carbs in one cup of zucchini. There are several other varieties of squash, like banana squash, chayote squash, and various species of pumpkin. All squash is suitable for low-carb diets.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Laurine Ryan

Last Updated:

Views: 5863

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (77 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Laurine Ryan

Birthday: 1994-12-23

Address: Suite 751 871 Lissette Throughway, West Kittie, NH 41603

Phone: +2366831109631

Job: Sales Producer

Hobby: Creative writing, Motor sports, Do it yourself, Skateboarding, Coffee roasting, Calligraphy, Stand-up comedy

Introduction: My name is Laurine Ryan, I am a adorable, fair, graceful, spotless, gorgeous, homely, cooperative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.