Next Post
Strawberry Shortcake Grilled Doughnuts.
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
Say hello to my new “noodle” obsession.
Sweet potato noodles!!!
I mean, sweet potato noodle carbonara, how fun is that? Sweet potatoes cut into noodles + carbonara? I am SOO into it. I mean, I like my zucchini noodles, but let’s be completely honest, they can get a little boring if you have them too often. Plus, you all know that whenever I eat zucchini noodles, the other half of my bowl is totally real deal pasta. That’s just the way its gotta go.
Like I NEED carbs. I just do.
Enter sweet potato noodles! Granted, I still think of these as more of a side, or maybe a lighter meal, but they definitely feel a little heartier than zucchini, and I love, love, LOVE their pretty orange color. Yes, I’m maybe just a little too excited here, but I can’t help it! These noodles are GOOD.
SIDE NOTE: I just want to throw this out there that if you do not have a spiralizer, don’t freak! You can still make this meal by either dicing up the sweet potato or slicing it into really thin skinny fries…aka matchsticks. I’d go the skinny fries route since they will best replicate the “noodle” feel.
SIDE NOTE # 2: if you are vegetarian simply omit the bacon…no big deal at all! OH, and you could even add this coconut bacon, which I personally think might be better than real bacon anyway…don’t hate me bacon lovers…I just love coconut! 🙂
Please do not ask me why it took me so long to spiralize something other than zucchini, but I am super glad I branched out. I have seen sweet potato noodles around for what feels like forever, but well, I just really like REAL pasta, so I never had the urge to give them a try. Then last week I was brainstorming on some lighter recipes for the warmer weather, suddenly the sound of sweet potato noodles was really appealing.
Plus, the thought of adding things like sweet corn, feta and basil got me really excited. When I finally thought of making them into a carbonara style noodle I was sold. What could not be good about anything carbonara?!?
I made the recipe the next day, and well, now I am telling you guys all about them!
OK. So let’s break these noodles down piece by piece. They have a few different elements that I feel like I should explain.
First things first, you need to cook your noodles in a skillet to soften them. Here’s the thing though, you have to be careful not to over cook the noodles. If you cook them too long they will just get all mushy and could possibly turn into mashed sweet potatoes, which you definitely do not want. So please don’t cook the noodles longer than ten to twelve minutes, then you’ll be good to go! You want the noodles to be soft, but still have the slightest bit of bite left in them so they have texture and hold their shape.
That’s the only tricky thing about this recipe, the rest is easy, and actually quite similar to a classic carbonara…or well to a point. I don’t think Italians would ever make carbonara with a sweet potato…oops.
The heat from the noodles will cook the eggs and create a super creamy and yummy sauce. I added white miso paste for an extra boost of flavor and a huge handful of fresh basil. I LOVE this combo of salty miso, to savory basil, to sweet corn, to sweet potatoes. It’s the perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors and the perfect way to ease into lighter, summery feeling meals.
Oh, and you can’t forget about the feta. Yum and YUM. Never enough feta, right?
Bonus?!?
The quick cooking time and minimal amount of dishes…yes, please!
Basil Sweet Potato Noodle, Feta and Sweet Corn Miso Carbonara.
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories Per Serving: 709 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Shop ingredients at your local Target store. Learn more
Ingredients
- 3 slices thick cut bacon or pancetta diced (optional)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced or grated
- 3 medium sweet potatoes spiralized*
- 3 ears fresh corn kernels removed
- 3 eggs
- 1 tablespoon white miso paste*
- juice of 1 lemon
- 1 handful fresh basil roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta
- kosher salt + pepper
- pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
- toasted almonds sliced or chopped
- sliced avocado for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot add the bacon or pancetta (if using). Let the bacon get nice and crispy, about 2-3 minutes. Remove the bacon from the skillet and drain any grease. Return the skillet to medium heat and add the olive oil. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute to soften. Add the spiralized sweet potato noodles to the skillet and give it a good toss, continue cooking, stirring often until the noodles have softened, but are not mushy, about 5-8 minutes. Once the noodles are soft, stir in the corn and cook another 2-3 minutes.
- Beat together the eggs, miso and a large pinch of pepper in a glass measuring cup. Remove the noodles from the heat and pour the egg mixture into the noodles, tossing quickly (to ensure the eggs do not scramble) until the eggs thicken and create a sauce. Add the lemon juice, basil and crumbled feta and gently toss to combine with the noodles.
- Season the noodles with plenty of freshly ground black pepper, salt to taste and add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. Garnish with toasted almonds, fresh basil and sliced avocado. EAT!
Notes
*If you do not own a spiralizer, you can simply dice the sweet potatoes into cubes. Just make sure to really toss them well when combining them with the eggs. *If you do not have miso paste, just season the noodles with a little more salt to your taste.
Ready? Set? Twirl, twirl! 🙂
Looks yummy! Can the eggs be substituted for something else? I can’t do eggs!
Hey Bonnie,
So sorry, the base for a carbonara is the egg! Please let me know if I can help in any other way! xTieghan
I need an explanation as to how in the world this is considered a carbonara????
car·bo·na·ra (adjective)
denoting a pasta sauce typically made with cured pork, egg, and grated cheese.
Ok, you are my favourite cook, but how is this in the slightest way Carbonara!!!!!!????
Incredible flavor combo!
Hey Rebecca,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am thrilled that it was enjoyed! Happy Valentine’s Day❤️ xTieghan
Trying to embrace a family decision to eat less meat, this looks delish. Will give it a go this evening. P.s I LOVE my spiralizer too, have you tried doing apple with a crumble topping sprinkled over the top? ?
Thank you so much, I hope you love this! I haven’t tried that, but sounds amazing! I think I will!
Ha Ha! Tieghan you made me laugh when you said that probably Italians wouldn’t make carbonara with sweet potatoes. I have been living in Italy for 28 years and it is always difficult to get Italians to eat sweet potatoes. They don’t like the idea of sweet and savoury together. But since I am NOT Italian I will be making this. Have to maybe find a substitute for the corn because I am not really supposed to eat it because of a nickel allergy. Maybe I’ll try some zucchini!
At any rate, great recipe! Thanks!!
Haha that is so great! I hope you love this recipe Raney, let me know! And wow it sounds so amazing to live in Italy! Thank you!
I subbed the feta with goat cheese and it made the sauce a bit creamier, it tasted great! Next time I make it I’m going to try adding some chopped asparagus when adding the corn. Great recipe overall!
What a fun swap! So happy it was tasty Tess! Thank you!
How do you noodles stay so noodle-looking? I’ve made this twice (DELICIOUS) but to get my sweet potato noodles done they are always super broken up by the end. Maybe I’m crowding the pan. Maybe it’s my little handheld “vegetti” spiralizer. Any tips?
Hi! It’s the handheld spiralizer. I mean, I don’t know for sure, but that is my guess. This is my favorite spiralizer….
https://www.amazon.com/Inspiralizer-Official-vegetable-spiralizer-Inspiralized/dp/B01BE77QL8
Let me know if you have other questions. Thank you! 🙂