Lemon Basil Carbonara
Lemon basil adds a different flavor to this delicious traditional pasta dish. Lemon Basil Carbonara has a hint of lemon flavor to bring out the delicious basil flavor in this simple dish.
I wish I had this Lemon Basil Carbonara last night for dinner. We left work around 4-4:15 yesterday. It took us almost an hour and half to get home. I gotta say, on days like that, you want something quick and easy under your belt to throw together. This is one of those meals. You probably have almost all of the ingredients in your kitchen already. We had tuna stuffed tomatoes, by the way. Just saying… *smile*
This week is all about 5 ingredients meals. Sometimes, it’s the simplest of meals that are the best! They’re not over-complicated, stuffed with ingredients, and swimming in too many flavors. Some of my most favorite recipes are 5 ingredients or less. Chili? Five ingredients. Lasagna? Five ingredients. Well, mine is or can be; meat, sauce, noodles, cheese. Countless numbers of sandwiches and so many pasta recipes like this pasta di limone!! This broccoli chicken quiche has 6 ingredients, but still easy to make! Honestly, there are whole books on 5 ingredients or less. I think Mom has one and we used it when I was there once.
When I make 5 ingredient or less meals, it’s all about quick, easy and delicious. It’s almost always pantry or freezer cooking, or even condiment cooking! Ya just never know. I have a TON of jams and jellies and they usually are the springboard for some dressing, glaze, or marinade of some sort. Or they get thrown into some kind of bar dessert.
This Lemon Basil Carbonara, however, does NOT have any jam or jelly in it. Thankfully. I can’t imagine how that would taste! ICK!
It’s simply pasta, eggs (or egg substitute on our case), Parmesan, lemon zest, and basil. Simple. Tasty. Delicious. And not to mention a twist on the standard carbonara dish. I don’t know why but Spring is all lemons for me this year. And somehow it’s the lemon and basil combination that has really hit home for me.
I made some Poison Ivy Muffins that have lemon and basil in them. I don’t think I remember this recipe when I made them. I’ve told you my brain is a sieve, right? It truly is. I’m not kidding!
Sometimes I just latch onto a style or flavor combination and it sticks with me for a bit. I guess there could be worse things!
Please make sure to scroll down and view all the other delicious 5 or less recipes the #SundaySupper crew have whipped up this week!
Lemon Basil Carbonara
Lemon basil adds a different flavor to this delicious traditional pasta dish. Lemon Basil Carbonara has a hint of lemon flavor to bring out the delicious basil flavor in this simple dish.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces fettuccine, or any other long pasta
- 1 1/4 cups egg substitute (or 5 large eggs, lightly beaten)
- 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
- 1/8 cup thinly sliced lemon basil
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions omitting salt and fat.
- Combine remaining ingredients in a small bowl.
- Toss the pasta with the egg mixture immediately after draining to allow the heat from the pasta to cook the eggs and melt the cheese.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 251Total Fat 6gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 2gCholesterol 16mgSodium 491mgCarbohydrates 32gFiber 2gSugar 2gProtein 18g
Appetizers, Salads and Starters
- Chicken and Spring Greens Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette from Crazy Foodie Stunts
- Tuna, Burrata and Black Olive Salad from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Latkes with Smoked Salmon and Caviar from Confessions of a Culinary Diva
Main Dishes
- Lemon Basil Carbonara from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Chicken with Olives from Noshing With The Nolands
- Salmon with Tiger Dill Sauce from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Grilled Caprese Salad Sandwich from Rants From My Crazy Kitchen
- Beef Short Rib Bourguignon from Food Lust People Love
Desserts and Beverages
- 4-Ingredient Butterscotch Peanut Butter Marshmallow Sweets from Shockingly Delicious
- Best Ever Coconut Macaroons from Hip Foodie Mom
- Golden Oreo Rice Krispies Treats from Pies and Plots
- Vanilla Pudding from Magnolia Days
- Sopapilla Cheesecake Bites from The Weekend Gourmet
- Peanut Butter Buckeyes from Peanut Butter and Peppers
- The Ginger Sass Cocktail from Nik Snacks
You are right about the 5 ingredients being some of the best recipes. Great recipe! Thank you for sharing them on our Four Seasons Blog Hop
I never thought of lemon and basil carbonara… but what a fantastic flavor combination. I would love it if you shared this with us on foodie friday today: http://www.simplelivingeating.com/2014/05/slow-cooker-green-pozole-with-chicken.html
This looks like something I want to try, sounds delicious.
Thanks for stopping by Oh My Heartsie Girl this week
Enjoy your day!
Karren
Yum! I love a lemon based pasta!!
Love carbonara – and this one looks so refreshing with the lemon! Great vegetarian dinner 🙂
Thank you, Susan. It was the perfect #MeatlessMonday for #SundaySupper. LOL
Pasta and cheese make such an easy and comforting meal. Love the addition of basil and lemon in your carbonara.
Thank, Renee. Pasta is truly a comfort food for us. And it's so quick and easy to whip up a meal using pasta.
My other half loves pasta and I think he would really like this! What am I saying- we all would. I hope you have that chili recipe somewhere on this blog because I would like to give it a try too. 🙂
I'm sure the chili is there somewhere, Dionne. I hope ya found it
I love carbonara and this twist sounds wonderful!
Thanks, Bobbi! It really was tasty.
Great flavor combo!
Thank you, Cindy!
One of my favorite combinations! Love the addition of lemon to the carbonara. Pantry meals are the best!
Pantry meals rock, Christy! Thanks for stopping by.
I don't think I have ever paired lemon and basil together…but it sounds like a great flavor combo!
Shaina, I'm not sure how I stumbled on it, but this wasn't the first time I've seen it. It's usually in muffins, I think? It works!
Lemon, pasta and Parmesan cheese! Yes please!
Renee – Kudos Kitchen
That's what I said, Renee!
YUM! I love lemon in all sorts of goodies!
Me, too, Sarah!
Yum! Carbonara is definitely one of my all time favorite comfort dishes. I love that you added lemon to yours to brighten it up!
Thanks, Katie! The lemon and basil really do brighten the flavors.
This is great. I like how you combined the eggs with the other ingredients to avoid cooking the egg by itself. Lemon and basil are delish together.
Thanks, Betsy! Mixing all the ingredients allows the cheese to melt while the egg cooks making the sauce super creamy.
I love lemon basil. Love this recipe.
Thanks! I love lemon and basil combinations, too!
That looks so delicious – I love lemon…what not on my pasta?!
Thanks, Tracy! That's kind of what I thought. 🙂
I am a lemon fiend! Basil and lemon oh does that sound good on this pasta Mmmmmmm
Thanks, Deanna. It truly is delicious! You should try it!
I love a good carbonara!! Looks great!!! But aren't those fettuccine noodles? You have angel hair pasta in the recipe card?
Alice, I meat to have fettuccine when I wrote it and forgot I switched it to angel hair. Sometimes I just have a brain fart at the grocery. LOL
I'm a sucker for anything with lemon…or basil!
Then you'd love the muffins I whipped up, too! Check out the Poison Ivy Muffins.
I love the addition of the lemon zest! Fresh and easy!
Amy, it truly was! The longest time was waiting for the pasta to cook!! I love those meals that are on the table in less than 30.
That is a nice spring pasta, I love lemon and pasta together!!
Thanks, Tara! I thought was very spring like with the lemon. Why do lemons = Spring for me? Do they for you, too?
I love recipes that incorporate lemon. Your lemon and basil combo with the pasta sounds fantastic. I love the fact that egg substitute works so well too
It does, Marlene!! I was surprised, too. The first time I tried it I didn't think it would turn out, but it was OH SO YUMMY! Now I can't wait to try other variations.
I make pasta carbonara quite a bit as a easy meal idea but never thought to throw in the lemon flavours with it, going to have to try this next time.
Please let me know if you do, Laura. It was such a tasty twist and SO easy! I love carbonara for our #MeatlessMondays.
Christie, what a yummy twist on carbonara!!!
Thanks, Liz! It was rather tasty. I can't wait to find out what other variations I can come up with.
That looks delicious.
Thanks, Shailynn!
Oh, I know my family would love this pasta dish! I definitely need recipes like these after long days at work.
Tell me about it, Courtney! Sometimes, I don't even want to THINK about cooking after THOSE days.
This sounds delish! Super simple to throw together is the way to go on those kinds of nights!
Thanks, Tammi! I always try to find quick and tasty weeknight meals, especially for Meatless Mondays.