Creamy Shrimp Carbonara, no pasta necessary!

More like Carb-o-nada! This is all the decadence you crave from a carbonara sauce, with a healthy seaside twist. Lightened-up and tossed with shrimp, shrimp carbonara really hits the spot when I’m craving pasta.

If it’s the shrimp that sounds good, try my keto shrimp and grits, you won’t be sorry. Or keep it light with shrimp and cucumber bites.

Cure Your Craving

It happens. The craving for pasta strikes. Creamy, comforting, cheeeeesy. This Parmesan sauce has it all.

And that’s when I realized—it wasn’t really the pasta I was craving…it was… the sauce!

In this version, shrimp makes a fantastic base for delivering the satisfaction of the carbonara sauce. I also love the shrimp variation because it is filling without leaving you with that too full feeling.

A fun, delicious recipe on its own, you can also serve it with pasta. I especially like edamame noodles for this. Maybe I just use them as an excuse to have a little more of this sauce…make this and you’ll understand.

Shrimp has never been more comforting.

Ingredient Notes

I started making this recipe when I had a craving for legit shrimp carbonara with egg, no noodles. Now, you can just as easily make this recipe with noodles (see the next section!), but it’s great without them!

• Shrimp – you can use tails on or off, depending on your preference. I like tails off, as it makes it easier to scarf!
• Parmesan cheese – opt for freshly grated for the best flavor.
• Eggs + egg yolk – this is what gives us a lusciously creamy sauce. The trick is to stir the yolk into the warm shrimp, without scrambling. This is why you’ll want to remove your pan from heat and work quickly to incorporate.
• Heavy cream, or pasta water – For creamy shrimp carbonara, opt for heavy cream, for a more traditional shrimp carbonara no cream, go for pasta water. Add more/less depending on how thick you’d like your sauce.

Pasta? Or No Pasta?

If you plan to serve this for keto dinners, opt for no pasta, or use a low carb alternative (zoodles, edamame noodles, etc.).

But, this recipe works just as well with pasta — Just boil water in a large pot of water with a touch of salt, and cook per the boxes instructions. Drain the pasta, and make sure to reserve a bit of the pasta water. Add the pasta to the pan at the same time you add the shrimp. Use the drained pasta water (only as much as needed) to thin the sauce.

How to Make Shrimp Carbonara

1. Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. Set aside on a paper towel lined plate.
2. Return pan to medium high heat, and add shrimp. Sear on each side until golden.
3. Add garlic and toss until fragrant. Add the crispy bacon back to your pan.
4. Meanwhile, whisk together the eggs, egg yolk, parmesan, cream (if not using pasta), and pepper.
5. Remove pan from heat and stir in the egg and parmesan combo, making sure to stir constantly.

Storing + Reheating

Believe it or not, this dish stores really well in the fridge in an airtight container. Reheat in the microwave and top with fresh parmesan before serving.

Recipe Variations

1. Add chicken for a chicken and shrimp carbonara.
2. Add in some veggies, like sliced tomatoes, mushrooms, etc.
3. Add a crunch to the top, like panko, more bacon bits, or even crushed pork rinds

More Pasta Recipes

• Keto Ramen
• Keto Zucchini Lasagna
• Cabbage Lasagna
• Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
• Keto Beef Stroganoff

Shrimp Carbonara

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Servings :6 servings

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time10 mins

Total Time25 mins

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Ingredients

• ▢ 8 slices bacon cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• ▢ 1 pound shrimp
• ▢ 3 garlic cloves minced
• ▢ 1 cup Parmesan grated
• ▢ 3 large eggs
• ▢ 1 large egg yolk
• ▢ 1 teaspoon pepper
• ▢ 1/4 cup heavy cream

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

• Bacon. Cook chopped bacon in a large nonstick pan over medium heat. Once crisp, remove bacon from the pan and set aside. Remove all but 1 tablespoon of bacon grease from the pan.
• Shrimp. Turn the heat of the pan up to high, and add shrimp - making sure not to overcrowd the pan (I do this in 2 batches). Sear the shrimp until golden on each side, about 2 minutes. If you cooked the shrimp in batches, return it all to the pan, along with the garlic. Toss to coat and cook until the garlic is fragrant, about 2 minutes.
• Sauce. Meanwhile, whisk together the parmesan, eggs, yolk, cream, and pepper in a medium bowl until smooth and set aside.
• Toss. Remove the pan from the heat, and pour the parmesan/egg combo over the shrimp, stirring constantly so the eggs thicken but don't scramble. You can add additional cream to thin out the sauce a bit if you prefer. Serve carbonara over pasta if you wish, topped with parsley and additional parmesan.

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Nutrition

Calories: 265kcalTotal Carbohydrates: 2gProtein: 13gFat: 22gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gNet Carbs: 1g

©Little Pine Low Carb. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media/website/blog is strictly prohibited.

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