Pasta alternatives are a big hit for people who want low-carb variations of traditional pasta, are gluten intolerant, or simply want more variety in their diet.
No matter your reason for wanting to break outside the box and switch-up the way you do pasta night, there are tons of delicious options that will satisfy your taste buds and won’t make you feel like you are missing out.
Healthy & Tasty Pasta Alternatives
1- Spaghetti Squash
If you carve out the insides of baked spaghetti squash, you’ll get spaghetti-like strands with a soft and semi-sweet taste. Pair it with your favorite pasta sauce for a faux pasta dish that you can customize any way you want! Some people prefer a bright and robust red sauce to balance out the sweetness of the squash. You can also add a little butter, salt, pepper, and other seasonings and eat the squash without a sauce.
Click here for a spaghetti squash recipe from Love and Lemons.
2- Soba Noodles
Soba noodles are Japanese noodles that have a fraction of the carbs you’ll find in traditional pasta. They are packed with fiber and protein and have a nuttier taste. You can pair soba noodles with just about anything, but they go great with broth, meat and vegetables.
Click here for a soba noodle recipe from FoodieCrush.
3- Brown Rice Pasta
Brown rice pasta is a gluten-free pasta alternative which makes it great for people with gluten sensitivities. It’s one of the closest things you will get to traditional pasta and you can find it right next to it in the grocery store.
Click here for brown rice recipes from Yummly.
4- Shirataki Noodles
These plant-based noodles are almost entirely made of fiber from the konjac plant and have hardly any carbs or calories. They typically come packaged in liquid and are ready to eat after a quick rinse. You can also heat them in a skillet if you want them cooked. Shirataki noodles are known for their white, translucent appearance and don’t have a strong flavor all on their own, but they do a great job of taking on the flavor of other ingredients.
Click here for shirataki noodle recipes from Delish.
5- Cabbage
Cabbage can be used as a low-carb noodle replacement that packs a lot of vitamins, minerals and folate. Whole cabbage leaves can be used as a substitute for lasagna sheets while shredded cabbage can replace smaller pasta noodles. The cabbage offers a unique taste and texture that can elevate your favorite dishes in a whole new way.
Click here for a cabbage noodle recipe from Low Carb Maven.
6- Spiralized Vegetables
Many vegetables can be spiralized, but the most popular are zucchini, carrots, sweet potatoes and cucumbers. They are a great way to add more vegetables to your diet and are great sources of fiber, vitamins and minerals. You can buy many spiralized vegetables pre-packaged or you can make your own with a spiralizer.
Click here for spiralizer recipes from AllRecipes.
The Bottom Line
You don’t have to forsake pasta night if you’re wanting a low-carb or gluten-free dish. There are plenty of healthy pasta alternatives out there that can transform traditional pasta dishes into tasty, nutritious superfoods.
If you are someone who struggles to get out of your comfort zone when it comes to food, try making a pasta alternative as a side dish first. You might find that opening up your mind and exploring outside-the-box ideas can be refreshing and exciting!
