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    Home » Recipes

    Creamy Filipino Carbonara

    Published: Mar 12, 2022 · Modified: Nov 5, 2023 by Jomelyn · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    This Creamy Filipino Carbonara is a simple, quick, and delicious pasta dish. It is easy to prepare and comes together in 20 minutes, perfect for a busy weeknight pasta idea. It is full of flavors from the creamy white sauce, sauteed mushrooms, cheese, and bacon.

    Filipino carbonara in a black plate.

    During a busy week, I came to realize pasta recipes are so quick and easy to make yet the most delicious dinners I could make for my family. Everyone at home loves this creamy carbonara because it is very satisfying and filling.

    This dish is a Filipino adaptation of the Italian carbonara pasta dish. The Italian version usually consists of spaghetti noodles, a creamy sauce made with egg yolks, and cheese, and is often garnished with browned guanciale.

    I'll show you a Filipino recreation with all-purpose instead of beaten egg yolks as a sauce, bacon instead of browned guanciale, and mushrooms for more umami flavor.

    Ingredients

    The best thing about this creamy carbonara mushroom is it only needs a few simple ingredients that you typically always have in the fridge and pantry.

    • Pasta/Spaghetti Noodles - This is the base of the dish that provides a filling and satisfying meal. You can use regular pasta or thin pasta although other pasta shapes can be substituted to suit personal preferences.
    • Garlic and onions - These aromatics form the base of the dish, adding depth of flavor.
    • Mushrooms - Adds earthy and umami flavor to the dish. You can use fresh or canned sliced mushrooms in your favorite variety. I love to add cremini mushrooms because it is widely available in my place.
    • All-purpose cream/Heavy whipping cream - These have similar taste and texture -creamy and rich. All-purpose cream is shelf stable and will last a long time at room temperature but heavy whipping cream should be refrigerated and will last a few weeks inside the fridge.
    • Parmesan cheese - Adds more cheese flavors that everyone likes in their carbonara.
    • Salt and pepper - To taste

    Instructions

    Pasta

    • Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Simply boil water in a saucepan with a sprinkle of salt. Toss the spaghetti and cook them until al dente. Drain some of the water but make sure to save about ½ cup for the sauce.
    Al dente cooked pasta.

    Sauce

    • While the pasta is cooking, we will make our sauce. Slice the bacon into bite sizes and fry in a skillet, no need to add oil. Fry them until golden fry, crispy, and most of the fat is rendered.
    • Remove the bacon grease except for 2 tablespoons to cook.
    Cooking the bacon until golden brown and crispy.

    In the same skillet with the grease, saute onion and garlic until translucent.

    Cooking the garlic and the onion.

    Add the mushrooms and cook them until slightly tender.

    Adding mushrooms in a skillet.

    Slowly pour the all-purpose cream or heavy whipping cream and ¼ cup of pasta water into the pan. Stir and simmer for 2-3 minutes over medium heat.

    cooking the cream for carbonara.

    Add the cooked spaghetti and half of the parmesan cheese. Stir well until pasta is coated with the sauce. Add more pasta water if the pasta is too dry.

    Taste and adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper according to your taste.

    Creamy carbonara in a skillet.

    Helpful Tips

    • Don't worry if you forgot to save some of the water from pasta. You can just add water. Add it gradually to make sure your carbonara is not too runny.
    • Be sure to salt the water in cooking the pasta. The salt will be the first seasoning while cooking the pasta and your noodles will taste better when you boil it with some salt.
    • Do not overcook the noodles. Just cook them until al dente so they will not be overcooked.
    Finish dish of carbonara on a black plate in a table.

    Why you will love this recipe

    There are so many reasons why we love this dish so much. In fact, we make this dish once or twice a week when we are in the mood for carbonara.

    • This carbonara recipe is one of the most delicious dishes we make at home a very busy weeknights. It takes 20 minutes to make and it is easy to prepare.
    • Satisfying and filling dinner.
    • It is rich, creamy, and loaded with flavors from sauteed mushrooms, rich white sauce, and cheese.
    • If you love this recipe, check out my salted egg pasta and Jollibee spaghetti.

    Make Ahead, Storage and Reheating Tips

    Make-ahead: Cook your sauce and pasta ahead of time and transfer them in separate containers. When ready to serve, reheat the sauce then add the pasta and cook until everything is heated thoroughly.

    Refrigerator: To store your leftovers, cool them completely and transfer them to an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

    Reheating: Transfer the dish to a skillet over medium heat on the stovetop. Reheat thoroughly and serve.

    Cooked creamy carbonara on a plate.

    What to serve with this

    Filipino Cucumber Salad

    Pandesal

    Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings

    Air fryer Roasted Asparagus

    Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters

    Shakshuka with Mushrooms

    15-minute Baked Salmon

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    Filipino carbonara in a black plate.

    Creamy Filipino Carbonara Recipe

    Jomelyn Mauermann
    This Creamy Filipino Carbonara is a simple, quick, and delicious pasta dish. It is easy to prepare and comes together in 20 minutes, perfect for a busy weeknight pasta idea. It is full of flavors from the creamy white sauce, sauteed mushrooms, cheese, and bacon.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Filipino
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 684 kcal

    Equipment

    1 skillet

    Ingredients
      

    • 16 ounces spaghetti pasta
    • 1 pound bacon chopped
    • 2 teaspoons garlic minced
    • 1 small yellow onion diced
    • 8 ounces mushrooms sliced
    • 14 ounces all-purpose cream or heavy whipping cream
    • 1 large whole egg
    • 1 cup parmesan cheese shredded
    • ⅛ teaspoon fine salt
    • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
    • salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Cook pasta according to the package instructions. Save about ½ cup of the water for the sauce.
    • Slice the bacon into bite sizes and fry in a skillet, no need to add oil. Fry them until golden fry, crispy, and most of the fat is rendered. Remove the bacon grease except for 2 tablespoons to cook.
    • In a skillet over medium heat, heat cooking oil and add garlic. Cook until aromatic, about 2 minutes.
    • Add mushrooms and cook until it soften, about 5 minutes. Turn off heat.
    • Slowly pour the all-purpose cream or heavy whipping cream and ¼ cup of pasta water into the pan. Stir and simmer for 2-3 minutes over medium heat.
    • Add the cooked spaghetti, half of the fried bacon, and half of the parmesan cheese. Stir well until pasta is coated with the sauce. Add more pasta water if the pasta is too dry.
    • Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper according to your taste.
    • Serve on a plate with more parmesan cheese and fried bacon on the top. Enjoy!

    Video

    Notes

    Recipe Notes:

    • While freshly cooked is the best to eat, you can store your leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
    • Be sure to salt the water in cooking the pasta. The salt will be the first seasoning while cooking the pasta and your noodles taste better when you boil it with some salt.
    • Do not overcook the noodles. Just cook them until al dente so they will not be overcooked.
    • Store your leftovers in a container with a lid in the fridge for up to 5 days.
     

    Nutrition

    Serving: 8servingsCalories: 684kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 22gFat: 45gSaturated Fat: 21gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 125mgSodium: 640mgPotassium: 412mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 882IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 203mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword easy spaghetti carbonara, filipino creamy carbonara, pasta carbonara
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    5 from 6 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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