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    Home » Recipes » Italian

    Eggless Carbonara Recipe with Tempeh

    Published: Apr 20, 2022 · Updated: Apr 28, 2022 by Jacqui Wormington · This post may contain affiliate links. · 12 Comments

    This Eggless Carbonara is the perfect way to get your carbonara fix without the eggs. Instead of bacon, the recipe calls for smoked tempeh. A whole-foods plant-based recipe that is ready in minutes. A perfect classic weeknight dinner veganized!

    Jump to:
    • 💡 The recipe in a nutshell
    • 🇮🇹 Origin
    • 🍳 What is used instead of eggs?
    • 🥦 What vegetables go with carbonara?
    • 🤔 What can I use instead of meat?
    • 🫒 How to make carbonara oil free?
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 🎥 Video
    • 💬 Reviews
    eggless carbonara with tempeh and edamame

    💡 The recipe in a nutshell

    • Vegan (no egg and dairy free)
    • Whole-foods plant-based
    • Quick and easy-to-make
    • Versatile: combine with other vegetables

    🇮🇹 Origin

    Carbonara is usually associated with Rome and the Lazio region, but as with so many Italian dishes, its origin is up to debate. Some connect it to pasta cacio e uova, a Neapolitan dish of pasta tossed with melted lard, beaten raw eggs, and cheese.

    The classic recipe does not contain any butter, cream, or garlic. It is simply made with raw beaten eggs, Guanciale, or bacon, and topped with Pecorino Romano and black pepper. Since it is such a simple recipe it leaves much room for new interpretations and variations worldwide.

    Hungry for more Italian-inspired recipes? Browse our European recipe page.

    top shot of spaghetti with creamy sauce

    🍳 What is used instead of eggs?

    To veganize carbonara, this recipe uses almond butter, nutritional yeast, and water instead of eggs and cheese. Add finely chopped onion, lemon juice, and some salt or miso paste for some extra flavor.

    🥦 What vegetables go with carbonara?

    Some fantastic vegetables to add for more nutrient density include edamame, artichokes, mushrooms, bell pepper, olives, broccoli, spinach, asparagus, green peas, sun-dried tomatoes, or arugula.

    🤔 What can I use instead of meat?

    Instead of the traditional bacon, use smoked tempeh or smoked tofu. Both are fantastic and tasty plant-based replacements.

    🫒 How to make carbonara oil free?

    Instead of using oil swap with vegetable broth for sautéing, and skip drizzling the dish with oil.

    📖 Recipe

    eggless carbonara with tempeh and edamame

    Eggless Carbonara Recipe with Tempeh

    Jacqui Wormington
    This Eggless Carbonara is the perfect way to get your carbonara fix without the eggs. Instead of bacon, the recipe calls for smoked tempeh. A whole-foods plant-based recipe that is ready in minutes. A perfect classic weeknight dinner veganized!
    5 from 11 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
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    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, European, Italian, Vegan
    Servings 2 servings

    Equipment

    • pot to cook pasta, shallow sauce pan to prepare carbonara

    Ingredients
      

    • 120 g dry pasta, such as spaghetti or tagliatelle (4.2 oz)
    • 50 g almond butter; for best color results, use white but regular or roasted works too (1.7 oz)
    • 5 tablespoon nutritional yeast (25g)
    • 250 ml water (1 cup)
    • 150 g smoked tempeh, cubed (5.2 oz)
    • 1 small yellow or white onion
    • 2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil (swap with vegetable broth, if making oil free version)
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 4 tablespoon pasta water (60ml)
    • salt and black pepper to taste, or 1 tablespoon miso paste

    Optional add in (around 70g / 2.4 oz)

    • edamame, mushrooms, bell pepper, olives, broccoli, spinach, asparagus, green peas, sun-dried tomatoes, or arugula

    Instructions
     

    • Cook pasta according to package directions.
    • Using a whisk, mix the almond butter, nutritional yeast, and water. Cut smoked tempeh into small cubes, to represent "bacon". Peel onion and chop finely.
    • Heat olive oil in a pan. Sautée smoked tempeh in it for about 5 minutes, until browned and crisp. Add onion and fry for another 2 minutes. Then add almond butter mix and lemon juice. Add pasta water and let carbonara sauce boil briefly and thicken. Toss edamame, or other vegetables, if using it. Season with salt (or miso paste) and pepper to taste. Simmer until desired consistency and thickness is reached.
    • Toss the cooked pasta in the sauce. Serve and optionally drizzle with a little more olive oil.

    The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.

    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment & tag @thesimplesprinkle on Instagram

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    PS: Don't forget to rate this recipe and leave a comment on your experience - this helps improve my recipes and serves you with the best instructions, tips, and substitution ideas. Plus, I love hearing about your takes on my recipes! Tag me on Instagram @thesimplesprinkle to show me your pictures.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Tanner Wormington says

      April 20, 2022 at 10:46 pm

      5 stars
      I loved this! So delicious and such an innovative recipe.

      Reply
    2. Sean Schidelko says

      April 20, 2022 at 11:09 pm

      5 stars
      Tried this recipe out and fell in love with it. Easy to cook and very delicious.

      Reply
    3. Bini says

      April 21, 2022 at 5:49 am

      5 stars
      Very delicious. I love it.

      Reply
    4. Sabine says

      April 21, 2022 at 5:50 am

      5 stars
      Very delicious. I love it.

      Reply
    5. Melanie says

      April 22, 2022 at 1:42 am

      5 stars
      I love how simple this is to make - delicious and easy enough for a weeknight option!

      Reply
    6. Jean says

      April 22, 2022 at 1:42 am

      5 stars
      I like how quick to prepare this eggless carbonara with the addition of tempeh, so delicious

      Reply
    7. Daniela says

      April 23, 2022 at 10:11 am

      5 stars
      Loved this egg-less take on carbonara pasta. The tempeh was a delicious addition. Will definitely make this again

      Reply
    8. Giuseppina Tripodi says

      April 23, 2022 at 7:07 pm

      5 stars
      Schnell , einfach und super lecker dieses Rezept. Diese Carbonara wird es öfter bei uns geben!!!!

      Reply
    9. Mel says

      April 23, 2022 at 7:09 pm

      5 stars
      I tried this recipe and we loved ist ❤️

      Reply
    10. Pömmes says

      April 23, 2022 at 7:17 pm

      We made it for my birthday and even my non-vegan friends thought it was great. A perfekt recipe for any occasion. Thank you for sharing this recipe with us. Yummy!

      Reply
    11. Jasch says

      April 23, 2022 at 9:04 pm

      5 stars
      It is a very delicious vegan cabonara.

      Reply
    12. Sam says

      July 09, 2022 at 12:40 am

      5 stars
      Holy cow, this recipe is SO good! Love the use of almond butter!

      Reply

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    Hey there, I am Jacqui! I'm a self-taught vegan recipe developer, content creator and food photographer. My goal? To make veganism easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy! With my drool-worthy recipes and savvy tips, I'll prove that going plant-based doesn't mean giving up your favorite meals.

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