How to Make the Perfect Vegan Carbonara
Italian · Medium · 35 min · 4 servings
This silky vegan carbonara swaps eggs and bacon with a golden turmeric cashew cream sauce and smoky shiitake mushrooms that deliver an incredibly satisfying plant-based version of the classic Italian pasta. It is creamy, smoky, and rich without using any animal products whatsoever.
Why this recipe works
This Vegan Carbonara recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 35 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 550 calories with 20g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 8 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 12 oz spaghetti or linguine
- 1 cup raw cashews soaked and drained
- 4 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 0.5 tsp turmeric
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 8 oz shiitake mushrooms thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Make the Smoky Mushrooms
Toss the sliced shiitake mushrooms with soy sauce and smoked paprika. Cook in a hot skillet with a little oil over medium-high heat for 8 to 10 minutes until the mushrooms are deeply golden, crispy, and caramelized. Set aside.
Step 2: Blend the Sauce
Combine drained cashews, nutritional yeast, turmeric, and vegetable broth in a high-speed blender. Blend for 2 minutes until completely smooth and creamy. The sauce should be thick and pourable.
Step 3: Cook the Pasta
Cook the pasta in a large pot of heavily salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining. Return the drained pasta to the pot off the heat.
Step 4: Combine and Finish
Pour the cashew sauce over the warm pasta and toss quickly to coat, adding pasta water a little at a time to create a silky and glossy consistency. Fold in most of the crispy shiitake mushrooms, top with the remaining mushrooms and extra nutritional yeast, and serve immediately.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- shiitake mushrooms → coconut bacon or smoked tempeh for a different smoky element
- raw cashews → sunflower seeds for a nut-free creamy sauce alternative
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Adding the sauce to the pasta while still on high heat which causes it to seize and clump
- Not reserving pasta water which is essential for achieving a silky smooth carbonara consistency
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 550 calories, 20g protein, 76g carbs, 20g fat, 5g fiber.
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