Parsnip Carbonara with Brussels Sprouts

Parsnip Carbonara with Brussels Sprouts

This carbonara pasta is made with spiralized parsnips, for a lower carb, clean version of the classic Italian pasta. Parsnips and brussels sprouts complement the sweet pancetta for a delicious spiralized pasta.

Parsnip Carbonara with Brussels Sprouts

Parsnip Carbonara with Brussels Sprouts

Parsnip flavor is slightly nutty and sweet. They’re great roasted in the oven, boiled in a soup, steamed and mashed, or, spiralized and used as a pasta substitute! Parsnips and pancetta go together well, because the nuttiness of the parsnips complements the sweetness in the pancetta, making this spiralized parsnip carbonara a slam dunk meal!

This time of year, I love finding brussels sprouts at the farmer’s markets and supermarkets on the stalk – there’s something really beautiful about that, and I always grab a stalk, so many of my meals this time of year have brussels sprouts in them.

Parsnip Carbonara with Brussels Sprouts

By replacing spaghetti noodles with parsnip noodles, we get to enjoy the same classic Italian carbonara flavors, without the bloat! Plus, we’re eating more nutrients by using spiralized parsnips, such as fiber and Vitamin C.

This carbonara is keto friendly and gluten free, and let me tell you – you won’t miss regular pasta in this flavorful dish. And if you’re looking for more carbonara inspiration, check out my bacon and chickpea sweet potato carbonara or my classic zucchini noodle carbonara.

How do you spiralize a parsnip?

Watch our video of this recipe using the Inspiralizer and subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch more videos:

 

Nutritional Information & Recipe

Parsnip Carbonara with Brussels Sprouts

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 oz pancetta
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 small shallot minced
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 large parsnips Blade D, noodles trimmed
  • salt and pepper
  • 2 whole large eggs
  • 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups shredded brussels sprouts

Instructions

  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once pan is hot, add the pancetta and cook until crispy, flipping halfway through. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the pancetta to a paper towel lined plate.
  • Add the garlic, shallots and red pepper flakes to the skillet and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant, stirring. Add the brussels sprouts. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until sprouts are browned. Remove the sprouts from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside with the pancetta.
  • Add the olive oil and then the parsnip noodles, season with salt and pepper, and cook, tossing often, until cooked through, about 7 minutes.
  • While parsnip noodles cook, combine the eggs and Parmesan cheese in a bowl and whisk together until not very clumpy. Set aside.
  • Once parsnip noodles are done cooking, add the pancetta and brussels sprouts back to the skillet and toss to combine. Remove from heat and slowly pour in the prepared egg sauce, stirring constantly, over the noodles. It’s important to do this slowly and stir constantly so that the eggs cook while they heat up in the noodles.
  • Divide the pasta into bowls and serve.

Parsnip Carbonara with Brussels Sprouts

with love, Ali

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Recipe Rating




comments

  • I want to try this! I can't do the hot flakes, tho. If I just leave the flakes out, it will probably be bland. Is there another seasoning that you could suggest?
  • I made this for my family tonight and we all loved it. So tasty. I added chicken breast for extra protein. Thanks for the creative recipe.
    • Hi Joan! Sounds amazing! So happy it was enjoyed by all!
  • I tried it, too. I used butternut squash instead of parsnip because I already had some, and threw in some bagged shredded cheese at end of cooking instead of powdered cheese and eggs. And added dill. It was wonderful! The butternut squash and brussels sprouts worked nicely. Thanks sooo much !
    • So happy to hear!
  • Do you think this would work without the pancetta? We don't eat meat but have a lot of organic parsnips to use up and would love to try this. Maybe I could sub sun-dried tomatoes?
    • Hi Meg! Yes great idea! Let us know how it turns out!
  • How do you cut the brussel sprouts? Just chop them?
    • Hi Michelle! Yes! You can just chop them, or buy the already shredded brussels sprouts!
  • Made this tonight. My store didn't have parsnips, so I used a large rutabaga - worked great! Very spicy dish!
  • My husband and I made this for dinner tonight. It’s a recipe I saved a while ago but have been wanting to try ever since. Did not disappoint!!! Even my husband loved it and he’s very picky about veggies. (Even got him to do the spiralizing!) Will be making again soon.
  • So I tried it last night. Deleted the egg and red pepper flakes. Subbed soft shredded cheese for powdered cheese. My version needs a seasoning. I was thinking nutmeg. What do you think? We gave my version an 8 out of 10.
    • That sounds delicious! Great job improvising!