Carbonara Pasta is one of my favorite pasta dishes. It’s silky, salty and full of unique flavor that you don’t get in a lot of other sauces. Making it at home is so much simpler than most people realize. And you won’t want to miss my version of it!
Carbonara pasta history
Like most Italian dishes that have been around for generations, no one really knows the true origin of Carbonara Pasta and when it was created. There is some history to suggest it goes as far back as 1839.
Due to the name carbonara being closely related to the Italian word “cabonaro”, which means “charcoal burner” in Italian, many people believe that it’s origins involve being a meal for Italian coal miners. Others believe that it was actually a dish created for an Italian secret society called the Carbonori or “charcolmen”. Still many believe that it was just a dish made famous by the restaurant La Carborna in Rome. However, the name Carbonara and the recipe was first described in an Italian newspaper in the 1950s. So, you can pick your folklore on this one.
The traditional pasta Carbonara recipe
The claim to fame with Carbonara pasta is the silk texture that’s made from an egg yolk. The egg yolk is cooked via hot pasta or – in the case of my recipe – hot pasta water. This is done so that the egg helps retain the smooth texture and doesn’t curdle when “cooking” it.
Also, all Carbonara Pastas have cheese in them. Traditionally they are either Pecorino or a Parmesan mixture. Because it can be difficult for me to source some ingredients here in Western Michigan, my recipe uses a full mixture of Parmesan cheese.
Lastly, Carbonara pasta recipes usually have some kind of pork in them. Most chefs agree that if you’re adding meat to carbonara it should be guanciale This is an Italian cured meat made from certain areas of the pig. However, usually, you will find pancetta or bacon in a Spaghetti Carbonara.
Making Lemon Pasta Carbonara meatless
That said, I decided against adding any meat. I really wanted people to be able to focus on the light lemony flavor of this Lemon Carbonara and the fresh herbs. In fact, if I was going to add meat, I don’t think I would add bacon or pancetta (Good luck finding guanciale in most areas of the U.S.). I would probably add grilled or breaded chicken, or even shrimp. But, it’s just delicious without any of that.
Also, if you’re a good Italian Catholic, then you know it’s Lent right now and this recipe works for Friday night meals since it is meatless. I’m a bad Italian Catholic and will gladly eat cheeseburgers for any meal on Fridays. If you’re going to message me and say this technically doesn’t count because it has egg in it, well…I’ve already said I’m a bad Italian Catholic.
Serving carbonara pasta
I like to serve my Lemon Carbonara Pasta family style. This is honestly the way we most often eat when I’m gathered with my extended family. We pass around giant plates of pasta, platters of antipasto and bakeware full of lasagna. I love this platter that I used to plate the Lemon Carbonara Pasta that you can find {HERE}. I may have it in this true white color and the regular white color {HERE} also. Just don’t tell Kevin!
I don’t actually remember where I found the wood serving tongs, but there’s a great pair {HERE} that looks really similar and gets good reviews.
Lemon Carbonara Pasta recipe
My Lemon Carbonara Pasta Recipe calls for the traditional ingredients, and a few non-traditional ones too. As the recipe has evolved through the United States, adding heavy cream and butter is commonplace.
In my recipe I do include cream, butter, garlic, thyme, parsley, crispy sage and salt and pepper too. It all pairs together beautifully to give you a filling, delicious meal that you can make in less than 30 minutes. It’s the kind of meal that I imagine my Italian grandma making for my mom and her siblings back in the 50’s – all seven of them.
But it’s also the kind of meal that’s perfect for an intimate dinner at home with just a few of your favorite people too.
Looking for other pasta recipes?
If you are a pasta lover like me then you want to make sure you stop by and check out these recipes as well!
- Garlic Ricotta & Arugula Pasta {HERE}
- Pasta with White Wine Sauce and Blistered Tomatoes {HERE}
- Creamy Lemon Butter Pasta with Spaghetti {HERE} – A fan favorite!
- Parmesan & Spinach Orzo {HERE}
- Chicken Tortellini Soup {HERE}
Thank you so much for visiting today, friends! I hope you will come back and see what else we’re up to here at Sugar Maple Farmhouse. You can find a full, printable version of my Lemon Carbonara Pasta recipe below. Let me know what you think in the comments!
For more recipes, click {HERE}. If you’re looking for the perfect dessert for the Lemon Carbonara Pasta, click {HERE} to grab our made-from-scratch Chocolate Mousse. And if you love lemon, make sure to check out our Lemon Shortbread Cookies {HERE}.

Lemon Carbonara Pasta
Ingredients
Lemon Carbonara Pasta
- 2/3 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp. of Parmesan cheese Grate this yourself. Don't use prepackaged.
- 1 egg yolk
- 3 Tbsp. butter, melted and cooled
- 1/4 cup pasta water
- 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- 1.5 Tbsp. lemon zest
- 1/2 cup parsley
- 2 tsp. garlic puree
- 2 tsp. Kosher salt
- Additional salt and pepper to taste
- 4 Tbsp. fresh thyme
- 6 pieces of crispy sage
- 16 oz. pasta (I used linguine. This is one box.)
- 1.5 Tbsp. table salt for pasta water
Crispy sage
- 6-8 sage leaves
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions
Lemon Carbonara Pasta
- Boil a large pot of water and the 1.5 Tbsp. of salt
- In a large bowl, whisk together butter, cream, lemon, garlic, Kosher salt, Parmesan cheese and whisk together.
- Add the egg yolk and whisk vigorously to ensure it doesn't curdle.
- Cook the pasta in your water until it is al dente, usually 8-10 minutes
- When the pasta is done, reserve one cup of pasta water and then drain the rest of the pasta.
- Immediately whisk the hot pasta water into the cream and egg mixture. Add just a bit at a time and whisk vigorously the entire time to keep the egg yolk from curdling.
- Once pasta is drained, add it to the bowl with the creamy lemon mix and mix well.
- Add in the parsley and mix to distribute it.
- Add to a platter and top with thyme, crispy sage and more salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
Crispy Sage Instructions
- Add olive oil to a pan and heat through.
- Add full sage leaves and fry for about 60 seconds.
- Remove with tongs and sprinkle with salt.
I have all these lemons leftover from some baking so I am making this tonight for dinner! Looks SO good can’t wait 🙂
That pasta is so much different than I usually make with marinara sauce. I have got to try this as soon as I get all the ingredients.
Oh yes, we love pasta in this house, so this will be a popular dish. I’ll be trying this for sure!
This looks so delicious! Printing it out to make it for my family this weekend.
Beautiful plating and a fresh smell of herbs. What a dinner!
This looks delicious and is going in my ‘soon to make’ file for sure!
This sounds so delicious. I will be making this for dinner.
It seems like the perfect blend, creamy but not overwhelming.
I’m used in using bacon for carbonara, but Italian food are so enticing. I bet that
guanciale meat would be great for it too.
I will make this. It will be a very romantic dinner.
I´ve never had this combination of pasta and lemon but since I love both I will definitely give it a try. Thank you for sharing this yum yum recipe!
Love the refreshing taste and aroma of lemon zest! And my husband loves a creamy pasta!
I love a good pasta but I have not had this before. Looks so good! Going to save your recipe.
We love carbonara so much, and this lemon carbonara sounds really good. I am going to try this for tonight’s dinner. Thank you so much!
This looks amazing. I love making my pasta tasty!
I don’t know how it’s possible that I’ve never made this, but it’s true. It looks soooo good, though, so I’m adding this to my list for next week!
ngl my Roman heart dies a little every time I see a version of carbonara that’s not the classic one, especially since I’m the carbonara queen, but this looks yummy nonetheless.
we do love our pasta at home and since we don’t eat meat at all, this works perfectly for us… i don’t believe i have made this before and it sounds heavenly
This pasta looks unreal. I would really love to make this.
This was AMAZING!!! Loved the lemon in the recipe, can’t wait to make it again!!!
This looks so good. I love pasta made just about anyway. Thanks for sharing
Wow, this looks great. I love pasta but not more then my middle child. She loves everything from macaroni to fetticine alfredo. She will most definitely love this if I made it. Thanks for the recipe and thanks for posting!
I just heard my tummy growl! This Lemon Carbonara Pasta looks absolutely scrumptious! I am going to my kitchen now.
I have never had this kind of pasta before, or one with a lemon flavor profile. This sounds interesting and would be a nice dish to make when we have guests.
Lemon Carbonara Pasta is something new that I am so curious to try. Thanks for this new recipe!
That looks super yummy! I love creamy sauce like carbonara. I think the lemon will add a nice touch to it too.
I have never made a carbonara before. The combination of lemon and parmesan sounds so yummy!
Yum, I love Carbonara pasta though I’ve never had it meatless. I’m totally intrigued by your lemon version and can’t wait to make it. Delicious photos!
Oh my. My mouth is watering! I need to try this recipe right. now.
We love pasta here and this dish looks incredible. I tend to enjoy all lemon things.
I haven’t heard of this pasta yet, but I’m more than happy to make it for us. This looks delicious!
Oh my goodness, this pasta dish was so decadent and so delicious! The lemon and sage were a lovely addition to a regular carbonara.
Oh my! My kids are absolutely going to love this! It looks absolutely delicious and tasty! Can’t wait to try this recipe
This looks delicious. I love pasta but have yet to try any carbonara pasta. I’d love to try this one out though. Thanks for sharing!
I made this last night, it is so easy to make, and so delicious. My kids love it so much!
Oh good! I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
I love Carbonara but have honestly not tried making it from scratch, i always just use butter and cream to make the sauce. I think it’s time to try this and with the lemon as a twist!
Do you know something, I’ve never tried lemon carbonara before but this looks amazing! I need to try this
This is a tasty looking pasta dish, and I always love anything with the zesty zing of a lemon!
Okay this right here, this recipe is right up my ally. I absolutely love carbonara and have been looking for a good recipe to try. Definitely saving and going to try making it this upcoming weekend. It looks absolutely delicious!
I just had pasta for dinner! ha. I will have to try making a lemon carbonara next time, I’ve never tried making it myself.
Wow! It’s my first time to see a carbonara recipe with lemon, sage and thyme as ingredients. I have to try this soon!
This dish sounds and looks amazing and I am so in love with Lemon these days that this is perfection for me! Pinning the recipe next so thank you for sharing!