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Jamie Oliver Mushroom Carbonara

Jamie Oliver Mushroom Carbonara
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The Jamie Oliver Mushroom Carbonara is a pasta dish made by tossing hot pasta with sautéed mushrooms and a mixture of eggs and grated cheese, creating a silky sauce without cream.

It follows the traditional carbonara method, simply replacing cured meat with deeply browned mushrooms.

Ingredients

Scale

Serves 4

    • 300 g spaghetti or linguine

    • 300 g chestnut or cremini mushrooms (sliced)

    • 2 tbsp olive oil

    • 2 cloves garlic (thinly sliced)

    • 3 large eggs

    • 60 g grated parmesan or pecorino

    • Freshly ground black pepper

    • Salt for pasta water

Optional:

    • Handful chopped parsley

    • Pinch chilli flakes

    • Small knob of butter

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Pasta Properly

Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a rolling boil.

Cook pasta until al dente — firm but tender. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.

The starchy water is essential for creating the glossy sauce.

Step 2: Brown the Mushrooms Correctly

Heat olive oil in a wide pan over medium-high heat.

Add mushrooms in a single layer and allow them to cook undisturbed for 2–3 minutes before stirring.

This promotes caramelisation rather than steaming. Continue cooking until golden and slightly crisp at the edges.

Add garlic during the final minute so it softens without burning.

Step 3: Prepare the Egg Mixture

In a bowl, whisk eggs with grated cheese and plenty of freshly ground black pepper.

Do not add salt yet, as the cheese already contains salt.

The mixture should be smooth and thick.

Step 4: Combine Off the Heat

Reduce heat to low and add drained pasta directly into the mushroom pan.

Remove the pan from heat completely before adding the egg mixture.

Pour in egg mixture and toss quickly. The residual heat from the pasta cooks the eggs gently.

If sauce looks too thick, add small splashes of reserved pasta water while tossing.

The result should be glossy and creamy — not scrambled.

Step 5: Adjust and Serve Immediately

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Serve immediately with extra parmesan and black pepper

Find it online: https://jamieolivereats.uk/mushroom-carbonara/