“This complete-flavored recipe is the result of my mother’s love of pasta and our love of cooking together. With a bit of pepper heat and smoky bacon, the entree is great by itself or paired with grilled chicken.” —Recipe contributor Lacy Jo Matheson, Sault Ste. Marie, Michig

Earthy mushrooms insert a enjoyable umami kick to this creamy twist on carbonara. This recipe calls for jarred mushrooms, but feel free to swap in your preferred kind of mushroom from the store. It's also possible to use pancetta, which is a more genuine style of bacon Employed in carbonara.