This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

A few simple ingredients and a quick hand come together to craft the perfect plate of pasta in this Mushroom Carbonara. Creamy eggs and cheese, salty pancetta, tender strands of pasta, and succulent mushrooms will earn this recipe a spot in your routine dinner rotation.

Mushroom Carbonara served in a shallow white bowl and photographed from overhead.
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email for this recipe and weekly cooking inspiration!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Carbonara is made with very simple ingredients and a method that’s easy, but precise and can make or break the quality of the dish. Carefully follow my no-fail carbonara method and you’ll have a dish that turns out perfectly time and time again.

Ingredients You Need to Make Mushroom Carbonara

Mushroom Carbonara Ingredients on a white marble board.
  • Eggs: large or extra large eggs
  • Pecorino Romano: or Parmesan cheese
  • Olive Oil: good quality, extra-virgin olive oil
  • Pancetta: or guanciale or bacon
  • Button Mushrooms: or cremini mushrooms or your favorite mushroom variety
  • Spaghetti: or other long, slender pasta
  • Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Recipe Options

Thinly sliced mushrooms sautéed until succulent and golden brown add another layer of flavor and texture to carbonara. I’ve called for button mushrooms in this Mushroom Carbonara recipe because they’re readily available. But feel free to swap in cremini mushrooms or your favorite variety would work. Just keep the texture of the mushroom in mind when choosing, as some will work better with pasta than others.

With the meaty texture and umami of mushrooms, it’s easy to convert this to a vegetarian carbonara recipe, just skip the pancetta!

FAQ

What is carbonara sauce made of?

Carbonara is a pasta dish that originated in Rome, Italy in the mid-20th century. It’s traditionally made with long, slender strands of pasta, cured pork and a combination of eggs and grated hard cheese like parmesan or pecorino Romano that transform into a silky, creamy sauce. Because the dish is so simple, the quality of ingredients and care in preparation are crucial to an exceptional plate of pasta.

Should carbonara have cream?

No. Traditional carbonara sauce is made without cream.

Is carbonara same as Alfredo?

No. Alfredo sauce is a cream based sauce, carbonara sauce has an egg and cheese base and does not use cream.

Mushroom Carbonara served in a shallow white bowl.

Simple, No-Fail Carbonara Method

The key to consistently perfect carbonara is to combine the egg and cheese mixture with the hot pasta, pancetta and mushrooms without curdling the eggs. The key is in how the eggs are prepared before they’re added. 

First whisk the eggs with cheese and set them aside at room temperature while you sauté the pancetta and mushrooms and cook the pasta. Then add a bit of the hot pasta water to temper the eggs and slowly add to the hot pasta mixture, stirring vigorously until you have pasta, pancetta and mushrooms coated in a glossy sauce. Then you’ll divide among serving bowls, garnish each serving, and serve while the dish is hot.

More Classic Italian Pasta Recipes

How to Make Mushrooms Carbonara

Whisk eggs and Pecorino Romano together in a medium bowl and set aside at room temperature.

raw eggs and pecorino romano whisked together in a bowl.

Brown the pancetta in a little olive oil then transfer to a clean plate, leaving the fat behind. Cook mushrooms in the rendered fat until tender and golden brown then return pancetta to the pot. Stir and remove from heat.

Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions, reserving 1 cup of the cooking water. Once the pasta is done, drain and transfer directly to the mushroom mixture and stir to combine.

Temper the egg mixture with a little of the pasta cooking water and add in a steady stream to the pasta mixture, stirring quickly and constantly until well coated (add more cooking water as needed). Divide among serving bowls, garnish with more cheese and serve while it’s hot.

Mushroom Carbonara

5 from 2 votes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 592
Servings: 4 people
Though this luscious carbonara is easy to make, timing is important. You'll be working quickly, so be sure to do your prep work and read through the recipe before you begin.

Video

Ingredients  

  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 ounces grated Pecorino Romano plus more for serving
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 ounces diced pancetta or guanciale or bacon (recipe note),
  • 12 ounces button mushrooms or cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced
  • 12 ounces spaghetti or other long, slender pasta
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions 

  • Put a large pot of salted water on to boil.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs and Pecorino Romano; set aside.
  • Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium heat. Add pancetta; cook and stir until the fat begins to render and the edges are starting to crisp, 6-8 minutes. With a slotted spoon transfer pancetta to a clean plate, leaving the fat. Increase heat to medium-high and add mushrooms to pot; cook and stir 8-10 minutes, or until the liquid has evaporated and mushrooms are golden brown (for optimal browning leave mushrooms undisturbed for last 1-2 minutes). Return pancetta to pot and stir to combine. Remove from heat.
  • As soon as you add mushrooms to pot, add pasta to boiling water; cook according to package directions until al dente (firm to the bite). Scoop out and reserve 1 cup pasta water; drain pasta in a colander and transfer immediately to mushrooms and pancetta in pot and stir to combine.
  • Whisking constantly, add a scant quarter cup of hot pasta water into the egg and cheese mixture to temper eggs. Pour tempered egg mixture over pasta and mushroom mixture in a steady stream, stirring constantly. Continue to stir until well combined, adding more pasta water as needed. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve immediately, garnished with more Pecorino Romano if desired.

Notes

  1. Guanciale is traditional for this recipe, but can be challenging to find. Pancetta or bacon stand in nicely.

Nutrition

Calories: 592kcal | Carbohydrates: 67g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 173mg | Sodium: 420mg | Potassium: 580mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 272IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 194mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Leave a comment & rate the recipe below!

Related Recipes

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating





10 Comments

  1. Cindy says:

    5 stars
    This recipe is a new star in my recipe box! I love this and have made extra to freeze-(it also freezes well). a perfect comfort food. I did sub a little because of what I had on hand. Used bacon, button mushrooms and parmesan. Turned out delightful!

    1. Marissa Stevens says:

      I love to hear this, Cindy! Thank you for coming back to let me know.

  2. Valentina says:

    I always love your Carbonara recipe. This one looks amazing as I’m a huge mushroom fan, and they’re so beautifully caramelized! ๐Ÿ™‚ ~Valentina

    1. Marissa Stevens says:

      Thank you, Valentina!

  3. Mimi Rippee says:

    I love all kinds of carbonara, and I love mushrooms so much, so I know Iโ€™d absolutely love love love this!

    1. Marissa Stevens says:

      Thank you, Mimi! I hope you’ll give the recipe a try.

  4. David @ Spiced says:

    5 stars
    I can totally see how the earthiness of the mushrooms would pair well with creamy carbonara. I love carbonara in all forms, and I totally need to try this ASAP! Looks delicious, Marissa!

    1. Marissa Stevens says:

      Thank you, David! I can’t wait for you to taste this!

  5. Ben | Havocinthekitchen says:

    This pasta looks splendid. I mean, pancetta, mushrooms, and silky egg-cheese sauce – what can be better?! Perfection! know that herbs are not the authentic carbonara addition, but I’d have also added a bit of fresh thyme.

    1. Marissa Stevens says:

      Thanks so much, Ben! Thyme is a nice addition, a lovely herb for mushrooms.