Rachael Ray's Spaghetti Carbonara with Mushrooms

I make carbonara for my husband, John, after every big show he plays in NYC. This is an earthy and meat-free version of his favorite dish.
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spaghetti carbonara mushrooms

Recipe by Rachael Ray

  • 4Servings

Ingredients

  • About 4 tbsp. olive oil

  • 1 lb. portobello mushroom caps, stemmed and gilled, or oyster mushrooms, cut into bite-size strips

  • 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika or ground cumin

  • Salt and pepper

  • 6 cloves garlic or 1 bulb green garlic, very thinly sliced or chopped

  • About 1 cup white wine

  • 1 lb. farro spaghetti or whole-wheat spaghetti

  • 6 large egg yolks

  • 1/2 cup each grated Parmigiano-Reggiano and Pecorino-Romano, plus more for passing at the table

  • 1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped

  • 1/4 cup fresh chives, finely chopped

Preparation

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta.

2. In a large skillet, heat the oil, about four turns of the pan, over medium-high. Add the mushrooms. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Season with the smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Add the garlic. Reduce heat to medium. Cook, stirring often, until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the wine. Cook, stirring often, until the liquid is absorbed, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low.

3. Salt the boiling water and add the pasta. Cook until 1 to 2 minutes shy of the package directions. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.

4. In a medium bowl, beat the egg yolks and 1/2 cup of each cheese. Gradually whisk in the hot pasta water. Mix the pasta and egg mixture into the mushrooms. Remove from heat. Toss until the pasta is coated, 1 to 2 minutes. Mix in the herbs; season. Serve with more cheese.