Pasta Carbonara

Tonights pasta is an Americanized variation of carbonara pasta. This version uses a marinara sauce base and has neither egg nor prosciutto. “Bestemmia!” (Blasphemy!) might be the cry from Carbonara purists. 


I actually prefer this alternate way of preparing carbonara. It’s not as rich as the pure classic carbonara. In this plant-based approach, chopped smoky tempeh brings the prosciutto (bacon) flavor to the sauce and browned mushrooms add to the umami. It’s mighty tasty.

Grocery List: Pasta Carbonara
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Pasta Carbonara

Produce

garlic (if needed) 

yellow onion (if needed)

1 head red or green leaf lettuce

1 cucumber 5 oz. crimini or white mushrooms

1 pint cherry tomatoes

Canned/Dried Foods

penne pasta of choice

one 15 oz. can of no salt tomato sauce 

one 15 oz. can regular tomato sauce

olive oil (if needed)

Tabasco sauce (if needed)

dried basil leaves (if needed)

dried oregano leaves (if needed)

red wine to cook with (if needed)

Frozen Foods

Meat/Fish/Poultry

Turkey bacon (if eating meat)

Chilled Foods/Dairy

shredded Parmesan cheese (if needed)

Smoky tempeh (if going meatless)

Nutritional Value: Pasta Carbonara

Nutritional Analysis

Pasta Carbonaara (with Smoky Tempeh)

Per Serving

Calories: 690

Protein: 25 g

Carbohydrates: 76 g

Total Fat: 29 g

(Saturated Fat:) 4.5 g

Dietary Fiber: 13 g

Cholesterol: 5 mg

Sodium: 690 mg

% calories from fat: 41.9 %

Serving Size:

1 heaping Cup (5 oz.) cooked pasta with 1 C. carbonara sauce and side salad with dressing.

Mushroom Chicken Breasts (with Bacon)

Nutritional Analysis

Per Serving

Calories: 710

Protein: 26 g

Carbohydrates: 67 g

Total Fat: 34 g

(Saturated Fat:) 7 g

Dietary Fiber: 9 g

Cholesterol: 35 mg

Sodium: 650 mg

% calories from fat: 46.7 %

Serving Size:

1 heaping Cup (5 oz.) cooked pasta with 1 C. carbonara sauce and side salad with dressing.