Name: Eggless Carbonara Recipe with Tempeh
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
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 tbsp nutritional yeast ((25g)); 250 ml water ((1 cup)); 150 g smoked tempeh, cubed ((5.2 oz)); 1 small yellow or white onion; 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil ((swap with vegetable broth, if making oil free version)); 1 tbsp lemon juice; 4 tbsp pasta water ((60ml)); salt and black pepper to taste, or 1 tbsp miso paste; edamame, mushrooms, bell pepper, olives, broccoli, spinach, asparagus, green peas, sun-dried tomatoes, or arugula

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.

🍳 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