Okay, so this isn't really a carbonara, there are no eggs in the recipe and there are mushrooms! However, when I started making this many moons ago it was the closest I was ever going to get to making the real thing, and so it was named 'Cheats Carbonara' and has remained so ever since.
This is quick, easy to make, and if you're a fan of cheesy pasta recipes in anyway, I know you'll love it.
Start off by cooking your spaghetti in boiling water as per packet instructions, as it cooks prepare the sauce. I like to use bacon for this recipe so that I can trim the fat off, however if you don't want to trim it you don't need to and if you don't want to chop up bacon rashers then just by bacon lardons. I tend you use a non-stick pan for this so that I don't need to add any fat to the pan.
Add the bacon to a hot pan cook on a medium heat, after a few minutes as the juices start to show in the pan add in the mushrooms. They'll soak up all that lovely bacon flavour, a few minutes more and it's time to add the soft/ cream cheese. Now the tub I buy is 250g so that's what add! However, anything between 200 - 250g is fine, so if your store has a smaller tub don't worry about it. This does make quite a bit of sauce but that's how I like it. Once the soft cheese is mixed through and looking more liquid like add the milk. Stir again and leave until its hot through.
By now the pasta should be pretty much ready. Check to see if your spaghetti is ready and when it is drain and add to your sauce. Serve up and enjoy!
This is nice served with garlic bread but it is quite filling on it's own so use your own judgement. My one tip for making this is to use a high sided pan/ pot for making the sauce in. You'll be adding the spaghetti to the sauce and its easier to stir together without making a mess in a higher sided pot.
Recipe
Serves 2
160g (dry weight) spaghetti pasta
4 rashers smoked bacon, fat trimmed off and chopped into small pieces
100g mushrooms
250g garlic and herbs soft cheese (cream cheese)
3 tbsp (45ml) whole milk (or milk of your choice)
Directions
Cook the spaghetti according to packet instructions.
Add the bacon to a hot pan cook on a medium heat, after a 4-5 minutes as the juices start to show in the pan add in the mushrooms.
Let the mushrooms cook for 3 or 4 minutes then stir in the soft/ cream cheese. As this begins to look more liquid like stir in the milk. Leave until its hot through, which should only minute or two.
By now your spaghetti should be ready, drain and add to the sauce.
Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition per serving (approx. values)
660 kcal
69g Carbohydrates (of which 5.5g sugar)
38g Protein
25g Fat (of which 13g saturated fat)
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