Are you craving a creamy and delicious pasta dish, but don’t want to derail your keto diet? Look no further than this creamy cauliflower carbonara recipe! With just a few simple ingredients and some clever substitutions, you can enjoy a satisfying and flavorful meal that won’t break your carb budget.
Ingredients:
– 1 head of cauliflower, chopped into small florets
– 6 strips of bacon, diced
– 3 cloves of garlic, minced
– 2 egg yolks
– 1/2 cup heavy cream
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– Salt and pepper to taste
– (Vegetarian alternative: substitute the bacon for 1/2 cup of chopped mushrooms and 1/4 teaspoon of liquid smoke)
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Spread the chopped cauliflower florets on a baking sheet and season with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until tender and slightly browned.
2. While the cauliflower is roasting, cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and set it aside on a paper towel-lined plate.
3. In the same skillet, sauté the minced garlic in the bacon grease until fragrant.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, heavy cream, and grated Parmesan cheese.
5. Once the cauliflower is done roasting, add it to the skillet with the garlic and bacon grease. Pour the egg yolk mixture over the cauliflower and stir until the cauliflower is coated in the sauce.
6. Cook the cauliflower over low heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and coats the cauliflower. Be careful not to overcook or scramble the eggs!
7. Once the sauce has thickened, remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the cooked bacon.
8. Serve the cauliflower carbonara hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and black pepper.
9. (Vegan alternative: substitute the egg yolks and heavy cream for 1/2 cup of silken tofu and 1/2 cup of unsweetened almond milk. Use vegan bacon or omit it altogether.)
Keto Kat’s Tips:
– If you’re short on time, you can use frozen cauliflower florets instead of fresh. Just make sure to thaw and drain them before roasting.
– To make this dish even more filling, you can add some cooked chicken or shrimp to the skillet along with the cauliflower.
– If you’re not a fan of Parmesan cheese, you can substitute it for another hard, salty cheese like Pecorino Romano or Asiago.
– To make this dish even more keto-friendly, you can use ghee or coconut oil instead of bacon grease.
– To make this dish more budget-friendly, you can substitute the Parmesan cheese for a cheaper cheese like cheddar or mozzarella.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
Not only is this cauliflower carbonara recipe delicious and satisfying, but it’s also packed with nutrients and low in carbs. Cauliflower is a great source of fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants, while bacon and Parmesan cheese provide plenty of healthy fats and protein. Plus, this recipe is easy to customize to your preferences, whether you’re vegetarian, vegan, or simply looking for a more budget-friendly option. So go ahead and indulge in some creamy comfort food, without the guilt!
