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Italian-inspired·Main Course

Spaghetti Squash Carbonara

A lower-carb twist on the Italian classic, using a clever cross-cutting technique for the squash to produce strands that remarkably resemble actual pasta, all tossed in a rich, peppery egg and pancetta sauce.

Prep

20m

Cook

90m

Total

110m

Serves

4

Method

  1. 01

    Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut the ends off the spaghetti squash, then cut it crosswise into three thick rings. Use a spoon to scrape out the seeds and fibers. Place the rings on a parchment-lined sheet pan, drizzle with olive oil, and season generously with salt.

    Step 1
    Watch · 0:32
  2. 02

    Roast the squash until tender enough to pull into strands, approximately 45 to 90 minutes depending on size. While the squash roasts, sauté the diced pancetta in a drizzle of olive oil over medium-high heat until caramelized and browned. Turn off the heat and reserve 2 tablespoons of pancetta for garnish.

    Step 2
    Watch · 3:30
  3. 03

    Once the squash is tender, use two forks to pull the flesh away from the skin into long, spaghetti-like strands. Taste a strand to ensure it is tender but still retains some texture.

    Step 3
    Watch · 4:45
  4. 04

    In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, freshly ground black pepper, and a splash of water until thoroughly combined.

    Step 4
    Watch · 5:48
  5. 05

    Add the hot squash strands to the egg mixture along with the butter chunks, the cooked pancetta, and any rendered fat from the pan. Toss thoroughly with forks to melt the butter and coat the squash. Stir in the grated Pecorino and Parmesan cheeses, then taste and add salt if needed.

    Step 5
    Watch · 6:05
  6. 06

    Transfer the mixture into a baking dish, teasing the strands with a fork to keep them light and airy. Dust the top with a little more cheese and bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 15 minutes until heated through. Garnish with reserved pancetta, more cheese, and chopped parsley before serving.

    Step 6
    Watch · 8:08

From Chef John

  • “As long as we end up with the exact same number of fingers we started with, we will consider this step a great success.”
  • “Those black specks look like coal dust.”
  • “You are, after all, the star of your spaghetti squash carbonara.”