If you’re after a strictly authentic carbonara, this isn’t it! This is our quick spaghetti carbonara recipe — known in our house as “cheat’s carbonara” because it skips the raw eggs and adds peas and mushrooms alongside the bacon. It’s a firm family favourite: fast, filling, and made with ingredients most of us already have in the fridge.
It’s the kind of midweek dinner that comes together in the time it takes the pasta to cook, and kids tend to love it because it’s creamy, mild, and easy to eat.
Ingredients
6 slices of thick bacon/rashers or 200g pancetta- 200g mushrooms (button or chestnut work well)
- 20ml double cream
- A handful of frozen peas
- Spaghetti (enough for 4)
- Grated Parmesan
- Black pepper
- Oil for frying
Method
- Cook the spaghetti according to the pack instructions.
- Chop the bacon or pancetta into small pieces.
- Slice the mushrooms.
- Add oil to a frying pan and cook the bacon and mushrooms together until both are cooked through.
- Add the cream and a handful of frozen peas, bring to the boil, then turn off the heat.
- Grind over some black pepper, if you like.
- Drain the spaghetti and toss it through the bacon, mushroom and cream mixture.
Serve in bowls with grated Parmesan on top.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a traditional carbonara recipe?
No — this is a simplified, family-friendly version. Traditional carbonara uses raw eggs to create the sauce, but this recipe uses cream instead, which makes it quicker, easier, and a bit more forgiving for a busy weeknight.
Can I leave out the mushrooms or peas?
Yes, both are easy to adjust. If your kids aren’t keen on mushrooms, simply leave them out or swap in another vegetable you know they’ll eat.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes — leave out the bacon or pancetta and use a vegetarian bacon alternative, or simply increase the mushrooms for extra flavour and texture.
What pasta works best if I don’t have spaghetti?
Any long or short pasta shape will work — tagliatelle, fusilli or penne are all good substitutes if that’s what you have in the cupboard.
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