Lemon Basil Carbonara – A Five Ingredient Challenge.
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!! 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.
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
- Salmon and Cucumber “Noodle” Salad from girlichef
- Yogurt Dill Vegetable Dip from Melanie Makes
- Tomato, Avocado and Cucumber Summer Salad from My Healthy Eating Habits
- Fennel Citrus Salad from An Appealing Plan
- Guacamole Deviled Eggs from Ruffles and Truffles
- Tomato Soup from Run DMT
- Wasabi Cream Cheese Ham Salad from Neighborfood
- Latkes with Smoked Salmon and Caviar from Confessions of a Culinary Diva
Sides and Accompaniments
- Candied Apple Jelly from What Smells So Good?
- Grilled Steak with Garlic Cumin Rub from Cooking Chat
- Homemade Ricotta from Seduction in the Kitchen
- Indian-style Roasted Cauliflower from kimchi MOM
- 3-Ingredient Beer Bread from Take A Bite Out of Boca
- Potato Pancakes (Reibekuchen) from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
Main Dishes
- Smoked Turkey Panini with Roasted Red Peppers and Basil Pesto from La Bella Vita Cucina
- Slow Cooker Turkey Half Breast from Nosh My Way
- Easy Crock Pot Pulled Chicken from Flour On My Face
- Lemon Basil Carbonara from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Garlic Butter Shrimp from Savvy Eats
- Easy Beef Stroganoff from Hot Momma’s Kitchen Chaos
- Smothered Pork Chop Cups from Having Fun Saving
- Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas from Supper for a Steal
- Chicken with Olives from Noshing With The Nolands
- Salmon with Tiger Dill Sauce from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Greek Chicken Burgers from Country Girl In The Village
- Crock Pot Beer Chicken from Our Table for Seven
- Chorizo and Potato Frittata from Small Wallet Big Appetite
- Chicken and Potato Bake with Meyer Lemons from Cravings of a Lunatic
- Chicken Asparagus Roll-ups from The Dinner-Mom
- Spaghetti Squash with Simple Red Sauce from Momma’s Meals
- Tropical Salsa Chicken from Kudos Kitchen By Renee
- Strawberry Red Wine Glazed Salmon from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Baked Asparagus and Eggs from Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
- Grilled Caprese Salad Sandwich from Rants From My Crazy Kitchen
- Beef Short Rib Bourguignon from Food Lust People Love
- Beans and Egg Sandwich from Basic N Delicious
- Honey Almond Salmon from Family Foodie
- BBQ Foiled Chicken from Meal Diva
Desserts and Beverages
- Flourless Chocolate Cake from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
- 4-Ingredient Butterscotch Peanut Butter Marshmallow Sweets from Shockingly Delicious
- Vanilla Bean Honey Ice Cream from The Foodie Army Wife
- Coconut Crusted Chocolate Ganache Pie from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- 3-Ingredient Nutella Truffles from URBAN BAKES
- Chocolate & Peanut Butter Squares from Killer Bunnies, Inc
- Nutella Ferrero Cupcakes from Brunch with Joy
- 5-Minute Strawberry Sherbet from The Wimpy Vegetarian
- Best Ever Coconut Macaroons from Hip Foodie Mom
- Chocolate Orange Ice Cream from Gluten Free Crumbley
- Orchid Panna Cotta from Manu’s Menu
- Oreo Cookies and Cream Fudge from Alida’s Kitchen
- Golden Oreo Rice Krispies Treats from Pies and Plots
- Vanilla Pudding from Magnolia Days
- Sopapilla Cheesecake Bites from The Weekend Gourmet
- Coconut Cream Mango Mousse from Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
- Peanut Butter Buckeyes from Peanut Butter and Peppers
- 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cherry Chip Cookies from Ninja Baking
- Raspberry Pina Colada Ice Cream from Try Anything Once Culinary
- Avocado Milkshakes from The Texan New Yorker
- The Ginger Sass Cocktail from Nik Snacks
- Baked Custard Cups from Soni’s Food
Shawna Williams says
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
Diane Balch says
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
Karren Haller says
This looks like something I want to try, sounds delicious.
Thanks for stopping by Oh My Heartsie Girl this week
Enjoy your day!
Karren
Jennifer Johnson says
Yum! I love a lemon based pasta!!
Susan Pridmore says
Love carbonara – and this one looks so refreshing with the lemon! Great vegetarian dinner 🙂
Christie Campbell says
Thank you, Susan. It was the perfect #MeatlessMonday for #SundaySupper. LOL
Renee says
Pasta and cheese make such an easy and comforting meal. Love the addition of basil and lemon in your carbonara.
Christie Campbell says
Thank, Renee. Pasta is truly a comfort food for us. And it's so quick and easy to whip up a meal using pasta.
Dionne Baldwin says
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. 🙂
Christie Campbell says
I'm sure the chili is there somewhere, Dionne. I hope ya found it
Bobbi Burleson says
I love carbonara and this twist sounds wonderful!
Christie Campbell says
Thanks, Bobbi! It really was tasty.
Cindy Kerschner says
Great flavor combo!
Christie Campbell says
Thank you, Cindy!
Christy @ Confessions of a Culinary Diva says
One of my favorite combinations! Love the addition of lemon to the carbonara. Pantry meals are the best!
Christie Campbell says
Pantry meals rock, Christy! Thanks for stopping by.
Shaina Wizov says
I don't think I have ever paired lemon and basil together…but it sounds like a great flavor combo!
Christie Campbell says
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!
Renee Goerger says
Lemon, pasta and Parmesan cheese! Yes please!
Renee – Kudos Kitchen
Christie Campbell says
That's what I said, Renee!
Sarah Reid says
YUM! I love lemon in all sorts of goodies!
Christie Campbell says
Me, too, Sarah!
Katie says
Yum! Carbonara is definitely one of my all time favorite comfort dishes. I love that you added lemon to yours to brighten it up!
Christie Campbell says
Thanks, Katie! The lemon and basil really do brighten the flavors.
Betsy @ Desserts Required says
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.
Christie Campbell says
Thanks, Betsy! Mixing all the ingredients allows the cheese to melt while the egg cooks making the sauce super creamy.
Flour On My Face says
I love lemon basil. Love this recipe.
Christie Campbell says
Thanks! I love lemon and basil combinations, too!
Tracy says
That looks so delicious – I love lemon…what not on my pasta?!
Christie Campbell says
Thanks, Tracy! That's kind of what I thought. 🙂
Deanna Samaan says
I am a lemon fiend! Basil and lemon oh does that sound good on this pasta Mmmmmmm
Christie Campbell says
Thanks, Deanna. It truly is delicious! You should try it!
Alice // Hip Foodie Mom says
I love a good carbonara!! Looks great!!! But aren't those fettuccine noodles? You have angel hair pasta in the recipe card?
Christie Campbell says
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
Wendy Wofford-Garcia says
I'm a sucker for anything with lemon…or basil!
Christie Campbell says
Then you'd love the muffins I whipped up, too! Check out the Poison Ivy Muffins.
Amy Kim says
I love the addition of the lemon zest! Fresh and easy!
Christie Campbell says
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.
Tara Noland says
That is a nice spring pasta, I love lemon and pasta together!!
Christie Campbell says
Thanks, Tara! I thought was very spring like with the lemon. Why do lemons = Spring for me? Do they for you, too?
Marlene Baird says
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
Christie Campbell says
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.
Laura Hunter says
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.
Christie Campbell says
Please let me know if you do, Laura. It was such a tasty twist and SO easy! I love carbonara for our #MeatlessMondays.
Liz Berg says
Christie, what a yummy twist on carbonara!!!
Christie Campbell says
Thanks, Liz! It was rather tasty. I can't wait to find out what other variations I can come up with.
Shailynn Krow says
That looks delicious.
Christie Campbell says
Thanks, Shailynn!
Courtney @ Neighborfood says
Oh, I know my family would love this pasta dish! I definitely need recipes like these after long days at work.
Christie Campbell says
Tell me about it, Courtney! Sometimes, I don't even want to THINK about cooking after THOSE days.
Tammi @ Momma's Meals says
This sounds delish! Super simple to throw together is the way to go on those kinds of nights!
Christie Campbell says
Thanks, Tammi! I always try to find quick and tasty weeknight meals, especially for Meatless Mondays.