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Paleo Pasta Carbonara

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I just had to have a big bowl of pasta today… so I made this awesome Paleo Pasta Carbonara. And I ate way too much of it…

paleo pasta carbonara

I really did eat way too much. But, if I’m being honest, I can’t remember the last time I was dainty and restrained when there was a big bowl of steaming pasta in front of me. Ever since I found some grain-free pastas that I love, that actually taste and feel like real pasta, I’ve been creating these awesome pasta dishes whenever I want something fast and delicious.

Pasta carbonara is Italian comfort food at its best. It’s pasta with bacon and eggs… sooooo good! I remember this dish from when I was a child — the creamy sauce, the crispy, salty bacon, and of course, the perfectly cooked al dente pasta. This recipe recreates all of those amazing tastes and has all of the feels of that traditional dish.

And, by the way, by using grain-free pasta and whole eggs you are really putting your body in peak healing mode. For example, here’s why everyone loves eggs and you should too.

It’s important to remember (and I really do have to keep reminding myself…) that these paleo pastas are often protein based so there’s no need to eat such a huge amount. In fact, it’s better not to eat so much. I mean, when you are eating a pasta made out of beans or chick peas, you really feel better not eating the entire package. If I would just give myself a chance to digest before I shoveled this whole beautiful bowl of mouth watering paleo pasta carbonara into my gaping mouth, then my brain and my stomach would realize that I am satisfied after eating only a normal size portion. Ugh… when will I learn?

One of my all-time favorite things to do is to take a traditional comfort food and tweak it so that it meets my nutritional needs and becomes a healing meal. Yeah, I know, this doesn’t sound like the most exciting thing to a lot of you, but this really is what floats my boat. This recipe is healing, it’s dairy-free, it’s grain-free, and it’s delicious. Oh, and you can easily make this vegetarian (I’ve done this many times when I’m in a veggie phase) by using mushrooms or coconut bacon or vegan sausage in place of the pancetta.

I’m on a really big customized-recipe-creation kick right now… let me customize a recipe for you that will work for whatever’s going on in your body now… I’m such a geek that I really do get excited about doing this. I’ve got a soup with your name on it…  So CLICK HEREto be taken directly into my calendar to sign up for your free phone consultation.

I also get tremendous joy from creating a healthy recipe that my family actually loves. Because, let’s face it, my son, who is a great cook, doesn’t always go for what he terms my “voodoo foods”. So, last week when he Face-Timed me and he made paleo pasta carbonara, I was so happy. And, if it’s good enough for a 20-something Taco Bell lover, then it’s good enough for everyone — even the picky eaters in your family.

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When you decide you love paleo pastas as much as I do, you should also try my recipe for Creamy Mint Avocado Pasta.

paleo pasta carbonara

paleo pasta carbonara

Here are some of the awesome healing ingredients in this recipe for paleo pasta carbonara:

Chickpeas actually help calm the spirit. They relieve anxiety and soothe irritability… it kind of makes you realize why hummus is so popular… I used a chickpea penne for this recipe and it was awesome!

Garlic is amazing in its antiviral and antibacterial capabilities. Garlic is actually a Chinese herb (Da Suan). It’s used to kill toxins and parasites and also to reduce swelling in the body. It’s what I call a great “A” herb: anesthetic, antibacterial, anti fungal, antioxidant, antiviral, etc….

I am a big proponent of eating the whole egg. So many of the nutrients and the taste are in the yolk; I’ll never understand separating nature’s perfect food. Eggs help with many types of dryness in the body. If you have a dry cough or a frog-in-your-throat, try eating some eggs. They have also been shown to help women with various conditions during and after pregnancy. Some people consider eggs to be a superfood. They contain a large amount of vitamins A and B and are a great source of protein. Eggs sometimes get a bad rap because of cholesterol, but it’s been shown that in 70% of people, eggs do not raise cholesterol, so don’t assume they are bad for you. Buy organic eggs and you are really doing the right thing.

Green peas are good for the digestion, especially if you are feeling constipated. In the olden days, people used to drink pea juice with their meals to avoid indigestion.

paleo pasta carbonara

Paleo Pasta Carbonara
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Recipe type: paleo, comfort food, grain-free, dairy-free
Cuisine: pasta, Italian
Author:
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 3
If you love pasta as much as I do, then you have to try this healing paleo pasta carbonara. This is so comforting, really easy to make, and it's so delicious that even picky eaters love it.
Ingredients
  • 1 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil
  • 4 oz. diced pancetta
  • 1 large shallot, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, smashed
  • 3 eggs
  • ¼ cup white wine
  • 8 oz grain-free pasta (I used this chickpea pasta)
  • ⅓ cup shredded vegan Parmesan cheese
  • ½ lb green peas
  • black pepper, to taste
Instructions
  1. Cook the pasta, al dente. Save about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before you drain it.
  2. Heat oil in a large skillet and add the pancetta.
  3. Stir in the shallot and garlic.
  4. Saute, stirring, until the pancetta starts to get a bit crispy.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs and white wine.
  6. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the pancetta.
  7. Stir in the egg mixture, Parmesan, and green peas.
  8. Add as much of the reserved pasta cooking liquid as you need to make the sauce the consistency that you like.
  9. Season with black pepper.
  10. Enjoy!

paleo pasta carbonara

Sweet Potato Spaghetti Marinara

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Sweet potato spaghetti marinara is a great alternative to traditional pasta!

sweet potato spaghetti marinara

A few years ago I bought a spiralizer and I started spiralizing everything. I became one of those annoying people who forced new creations on anyone who came into my house. While some of them were excellent, some were… well… really, really bad. Just because you can make pasta ribbons and spaghetti out of lots of things, doesn’t mean you should.

So, I took a break from my spiralizer.

Now, let me tell you about this amazing marinara sauce.  Because it is truly is amazing. A few weeks ago I spent 5 glorious days on vacation in Anguilla.  I had the honor of being able to cook with a great chef from Italy and we made his favorite simple pasta sauce.  This is my version of his recipe (I used parsley instead of basil because I wanted to try it and I had some great looking parsley in my fridge) — it’s simple and it’s delicious!

I walked into Whole Foods the other day, and in the produce department, there they were — containers of pre-cut sweet potato spaghetti. They called my name. So, I’m back at it again… and I’m excited to make these sweet potato noodles so many different ways. But for now, I wanted a vehicle for this great sauce.

This sweet potato spaghetti marinara is awesome. It was a great experiment (I’m sure there will be some more losers along the way, but this recipe is great) and it was even good cold out of the refrigerator during the week.

And here’s another vegetable spaghetti that’s a winner: Raw Spaghetti Zucchini Antipasto Salad.

sweet potato spaghetti marinarasweet potato spaghetti marinara

Here are some of the reasons you should make this sweet potato spaghetti marinara recipe:

Sweet potatoes are good for your digestive system. They can be good for both constipation and diarrhea. These orange gems also help rid your body of excess water, are good for breast health, help people with diabetes and actually can help ease night blindness. In olden times, it was common in China to rub mashed sweet potatoes on poison insect bites to remove the toxins. I haven’t tried this, but if you see me looking a tad orange, this will be why…

Parsley has been shown to reduce tumors in the lungs and to neutralize the effects of carcinogens, including cigarette smoke. It is high in vitamins A and C, and is good for your heart. This herb is also a natural breath freshener. So, if you have a chance to use more than a few sprigs as a garnish, go for it.

In Chinese medicine, we use tomatoes to aid in digestion and to help detoxify the body. They are also good to combat excess cholesterol, lessen inflammation and curb asthma. Tomatoes can also quench thirst, and they can help fight some kidney infections.

Scallions, as I tell you often, are one of my favorites. In Chinese medicine, the root of the scallion is a healing herb (Cong Bai). I always keep scallions on hand in my refrigerator so that I can whip up a batch of cold and flu fighting tea (scallion roots and ginger) the second anyone feels that scratchy throat coming on. It helps the body sweat out toxins. Scallions are antiviral and antibacterial; they are good for the common cold and general nasal congestion — just don’t eat too many if you have a fever.

sweet potato spaghetti marinara

Sweet Potato Spaghetti Marinara
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Recipe type: pasta, grain-free, paleo
Cuisine: vegan, vegetarian, Italian
Author:
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 2-3
Who doesn't like spaghetti marinara? Well, here's a great one, but the spaghetti here is made from sweet potatoes... awesome!
Ingredients
  • 1 lb sweet potato spaghetti noodles (I was able to buy them pre-spiralized, but you can spiralize a few large peeled sweet potatoes yourself)
  • 2 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil
  • sea salt and black pepper
  • 1 very large shallot, peeled and quartered (feel free to use an onion instead)
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • ¼ cup packed parsley (leaves and stems)
  • 1 28-oz can tomatoes with basil (use whatever canned tomatoes you have on hand)
  • For topping:
  • 2 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 scallions, sliced
  • ¼ cup parsley
Instructions
  1. Blanch the sweet potato spaghetti in a pot of salted hot water for 20 seconds, then drain it and set it aside.
  2. Make the sauce: In a large saucepan, heat the oil.
  3. Add the shallot, garlic, and parsley.
  4. Cook, over low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Carefully pour the tomatoes into the pot, season generously with salt and pepper, and let the sauce cook for 45-minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. Let the sauce cook a little bit, and then blend it in a standard blender or use an immersion blender, until it's very smooth.
  7. Pour the sauce back into the pot, add the sweet potato noodles, and cook over low heat about 5 minutes or until the noodles are cooked, but still al dente.
  8. Meanwhile, sauce the scallions and ¼ cup parsley in 2 Tbs oil for about 1-min.
  9. Top the spaghetti with the sautéed scallions and parsley,
  10. Enjoy!

sweet potato spaghetti marinara

Chicken Potato Tomato Skillet

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This chicken potato tomato skillet is made and served right in the skillet!

Chicken, Tomato, And Potato Skillet

There’s just something about food that’s served in a skillet that makes it look so appetizing. I’m a sucker for any menu item that is described as a “skillet”. I love a breakfast “skillet” and no matter what the ingredients, I will think about ordering it before any other menu item. Does this make me weird?

This is one of those recipes that is perfect for those nights that you just don’t know what to make. It’s versatile enough so that you can substitute whatever meat you want, whatever veggies look good, and whatever type of potatoes are lying around your kitchen.

I made this dinner even easier by using leftover tomato sauce that was in my freezer. You can make it even easier than I did by using your favorite store-bought sauce.

So, here’s a dinner skillet. This chicken, potato, and tomato skillet is awesome. It’s a one-pot meal, so clean-up is a breeze and it’s easy to make.

And, come on, who doesn’t like chicken and potatoes and tomatoes and spinach served in skillet?

As I was just re-reading what I wrote, I had a great idea! The next time I make this dish, I am going to toast some healthy garlic bread and hide some of it in the bottom of this skillet… okay, now I’m really excited. I’m never sure if it’s a good thing or not that I get excited so easily by food…

I’m on a big customized-recipe-creation kick right now (okay… always…), so let me customize a recipe for you that will work for whatever’s going on in your body now… I’m such a geek that I really do get excited about doing this. I’ve got a skillet recipe with your name on it…  So CLICK HEREto be taken directly into my calendar to sign up for your free phone consultation.

If you like this kind of thing, you should also try my recipe for Chicken Stew With Potatoes And Crispy Brussels Sprouts!

Chicken, Potato, And Tomato SkilletChicken, Tomato, And Potato Skillet

Here are some of the great health benefits of this awesome chicken potato tomato skillet:

Chicken is something I push people to buy organic if possible. Organic chicken is a great, healthy protein to give you energy, lessen the pain of some types of arthritis, and boost your system when you are particularly weak — like after surgery or childbirth. People who have some conditions that we consider “excess heat” conditions should limit the amount of chicken they eat. So, if you have an illness that gives you a bright red tongue or severe dryness in your body, check with your doctor first.

It is true that spinach contains iron, but it’s this vegetable’s lesser-known qualities that really hold my admiration. Spinach contains a substance that helps eliminate prostate cancer. It’s also great for your bones and also for memory loss. Diabetic patients may find that eating spinach helps combat excessive thirst and can even be good for night blindness. Spinach can inhibit the body’s ability to absorb calcium, so calcium-rich foods should be avoided when eating this leafy green.

Potatoes are good at soothing ulcers and neutralizing acid in the stomach and they help relieve constipation. These tubers also can help relieve arthritic inflammation. So, even though sweet potatoes are thought of as the white potato’s more nutrition sister, regular old potatoes can be just what the doctor ordered.

Garlic is amazing in its antiviral and antibacterial capabilities. Garlic is actually a Chinese herb (Da Suan). It’s used to kill toxins and parasites and also to reduce swelling in the body. It’s what I call a great “A” herb: anesthetic, antibacterial, anti fungal, antioxidant, antiviral, etc….

In Chinese medicine, we use tomatoes to aid in digestion and to help detoxify the body. They are also good to combat excess cholesterol, lessen inflammation and curb asthma. Tomatoes can also quench thirst, and they can help fight some kidney infections.

Chicken, Potato, And Tomato Skillet

If you make this Chicken Potato Tomato Skillet recipe, please be sure to let me know in the comments below. I love hearing how you like a recipe, and I love to answer your questions! If you make it, be sure to take a photo and tag me and post it on Instagram.

Chicken, Potato, And Tomato Skillet
5.0 from 1 reviews
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Recipe type: one-pot, chicken
Cuisine: recipe adapted from: 12 Tomatoes
Author:
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4
This one-pot skillet meal is delicious, simple, and healing. Feel free to substitute other meats and vegetables -- it's all about what makes you happy!
Ingredients
  • 1-1/4 lb. boneless chicken thighs
  • 2 baking potatoes, unpeeled, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 3 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil
  • sea salt and black pepper
  • 1 large shallot, sliced
  • 6 garlic cloves, smashed
  • 9 oz fresh spinach
  • 1-1/2 cups marinara sauce (either homemade or store-bought)
  • juice of ½ a lemon
  • ¼ tsp dried oregano
  • ⅓ cup chicken broth
  • ½ tsp dried hot red pepper flakes
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
  2. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
  3. In a medium oven-proof skillet with sides, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the potatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until they start to get a little color, about 5-minutes.
  4. Remove the potatoes to a plate and add the chicken to the pan, stirring until the chicken begins to color.
  5. Add the potatoes back to the pan.
  6. Next, add the shallot, garlic, and spinach, and stir until the spinach is wilted, about 1-minute. (You may have to add the spinach a little at a time in order to fit it all in the skillet.)
  7. Pour the marinara sauce into the skillet.
  8. Stir in the lemon juice, chicken broth, oregano, and red pepper flakes.
  9. Bake the skillet in the oven about 40 minutes or until the chicken and potatoes are cooked through.
  10. Enjoy!

 

Chicken, Potato, And Tomato Skillet