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Vegetarian Mushroom Carbonara

A delightful twist on the classic Italian dish, featuring creamy comfort and umami flavors in a vegetarian-friendly way.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Sauce Base
  • 8 ounces dried pasta (such as spaghetti, bucatini, or rigatoni) Opt for your favorite variety, ensuring a satisfying bite.
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil Adds a subtle, fruity depth to the dish.
  • 1 large egg Helps create a smooth and rich sauce.
  • 2 large egg yolks Enhances creaminess and richness in the dish.
Flavor Enhancers
  • 8 leaves sage Aromatic and slightly peppery.
  • ½ teaspoon urfa chili flakes (optional) Adds warmth and earthy spice.
  • Salt and black pepper For seasoning; adjust to taste.
Mushrooms
  • 8 ounces mushrooms (preferably oyster or wild mushrooms, chopped) Offering a meaty texture and rich flavor profile.
Cheese
  • 1 ½ ounces Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (finely grated) Creamy and nutty, essential for the luscious sauce.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil for cooking the pasta.
  2. In a large Dutch oven, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the sage leaves and cook for about 15-30 seconds until crisp. Remove and drain on a paper towel.
  3. Increase heat to medium-high and add the chopped mushrooms. Sauté for 6-10 minutes until browned and crispy. Season with salt, black pepper, and optional urfa chili flakes. Remove and set aside.
Cooking Pasta
  1. Add the dried pasta to boiling water and cook until two minutes shy of al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain.
  2. Return the pasta to the Dutch oven with ¼ cup reserved pasta water, bringing it to a boil and simmering until the pasta reaches al dente, about 2-3 minutes.
Making the Sauce
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together ¾ of the grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, the egg, and the egg yolks. Slowly add 2 tablespoons of hot pasta water, mixing continuously.
  2. Remove the Dutch oven from heat and slowly incorporate the cheese and egg mixture into the pasta while whisking to prevent curdling. Mix until the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency.
  3. Gently fold in the sautéed mushrooms.
Serving
  1. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if necessary. Divide pasta among serving bowls and top with reserved cheese and crispy sage leaves. Serve immediately.

Notes

For extra flavor, consider adding freshly minced garlic to the mushrooms. A squeeze of lemon juice or zest can also complement the earthiness of the mushrooms beautifully. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.