Love pasta but don't want all the carbs? Try these easy and delicious low carb recipes to enjoy your favorite pasta dinners without the guilt.
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A low carb diet doesn't mean you can't enjoy pasta - far from it! In fact, low carb noodles give you a variety of tastes and textures using plant-based ingredients that are naturally gluten-free and packed with nutrients.
In this collection of low carb and keto-friendly pasta recipes, you'll discover new ways to turn vegetables into noodles.
You'll also find easy ways to make your own low carb dough for homemade pasta. Paleo-inspired toppings keep things healthy, too.
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What are the best low carb pasta alternatives?
From zucchini to eggplant, from butternut squash to asparagus, and from kelp to shirataki, there's no shortage of ways to make low carb pasta that's just as delicious and satisfying as traditional pasta.
There are so many low carb options for eating the pasta dishes you love while still being healthy. Here are some of the best alternatives to go with your favorite pasta sauce.
- Zucchini noodles - a favorite keto pasta swap, zucchini and yellow squash can be turned into noodles that resemble spaghetti or fettucine ribbons.
- Spaghetti squash - when cooked, the meat of this yellow vegetable separates into spaghetti-like strings making it an easy low carb pasta substitiute.
- Spiralized veggies - can be used as a replacement for spaghetti. Veggie noodles give you the look and feel of pasta while adding extra flavor and nutrition. If you don't have a spiralizer, you can often find fresh vegetable noodles in the produce department of grocery stores.
- Shirataki noodles - or miracle noodles are low-carb noodles made from the flour of the konjac plant and have almost no calories, carbohydrates, or fat. You can buy shirataki angel hair, spaghetti and fettucine versions.
- Hearts of palm noodles - are made from the vegetable heart of palm and are a great alternative to traditional noodles. You can buy hearts of palm pasta ready made in the form of spaghetti, angel hair and lasagna noodles.
- Kelp or seaweed noodles - are made from mineral-rich sea kelp and contain almost zero calories. Kelp noodles are also gluten-free, vegan, and raw.
- Homemade keto pasta dough - You can make your own dough using almond or coconut flour with a few other ingredients and roll it into low carb pasta noodles.
Still wondering how to enjoy pasta without carbs? These low carb and keto recipes will help.
Low carb pasta recipes
With low carb pasta recipes like these, you can still enjoy this Italian-inspired classic without worrying about the carbs.
Whether you're looking for something quick and easy, or prefer to make your own noodles from scratch - we've got every type of recipe here! From spaghetti Bolognese to easy shrimp scampi - there's a perfect dish for everyone.
Let these recipes inspire you with alternatives that are both healthy and tasty.
Zucchini noodles
Crock Pot Turkey Bolognese Sauce
This slow cooker Bolognese sauce is a Whole30 recipe that's easy to make ahead and it's freezer-friendly, too. Low fat ground turkey gives it protein while the tomato sauces, chicken broth, aromatics and Italian seasoning make it an easy and delicious topping for zucchini noodles.
Recipe by Cook Eat Well
Garlic Roasted Shrimp With Zucchini Pasta
Zucchini noodles make the perfect bed of vegetable goodness to hold buttery and garlic coated shrimp. Using fresh or frozen shrimp, add them to a baking dish with ghee, olive oil, garlic and lemon juice. Bake for about 10 minutes while you prepare the zucchini. Toss the zucchini noodles in sauce with the shrimp for a simple but outrageously tasty shrimp scampi inspired meal.
Recipe by Cook Eat Well
Zucchini Pasta Pesto
Make this savory vegan pesto with fresh basil, walnuts and roasted garlic. It pairs beautifully with spiralized zucchini for a healthy no-cook meal or side dish. Garnish with cherry tomatoes for a burst of flavor and color. So easy and delicious it may become your new favorite pasta recipe!
Recipe by Cook Eat Well
Easy Chicken Veggie Stir Fry Zoodles
Spiralize your zucchini as the noodle base for this gluten-free, grain-free one-skillet chicken meal. Broccoli, carrots, snow peas, mushrooms and bell peppers join marinated chicken for a savory garlic and ginger sauté in sesame oil. The noodles go in last and when tender, serve up this colorful and flavorful dish.
Recipe by The Nourishing Home
How To Make Zucchini Pasta
Zucchini noodles, or zoodles, are a gluten-free and grain-free way to make a pasta dish or salad. You can easily spiralize them, or create noodles by making long strips with a vegetable peeler, julienne peeler, or even a mandoline. Press them and let them drain to release water or just eat them as is. If you prefer them more tender, blanch them in warm water.
Recipe by Cook Eat Well
Zucchini Noodles With Walnut Parsley Pesto
In addition to being healthy and low carb, these zucchini noodles are also eye candy, thanks to the beautiful homemade parsley pesto that contains walnuts, olive oil and nutritional yeast. This faux pasta meal is fresh, fragrant and full of healthy and satisfying ingredients.
Recipe by Sprouts And Krauts
Spaghetti Squash
Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash
Create vegetable-based angel hair pasta by using the long strands found in spaghetti squash. Your Instant Pot will be the quickest way to cook this hard squash with little fuss. Once you've removed the spaghetti strands, top them with your favorite sauce and enjoy. Leftover spaghetti noodles can be stored in the fridge or freezer making this a great meal-prep idea.
Recipe by Cook Eat Well
Low Carb Spaghetti and Meatballs
If you love the classic spaghetti and meatballs, try it with spaghetti squash! These meatballs are made without breadcrumbs making them gluten-free. Then they're baked with a keto marinara sauce that's delicious with the slight sweetness of the spaghetti squash. Perfect for pasta night!
Recipe by Cook Eat Well
Keto Chicken Soup Recipe
This low carb version of the classic chicken noodle soup uses spaghetti squash in place of regular pasta noodles. It's filled with chicken and vegetables (carrots, celery and onions), chicken broth and herbs. With just 3 grams of net carbs per cup it's an easy and comforting meal.
Recipe by Wholesome Yum
Other Vegetable Noodles
Curry Butternut Squash Noodles
Leave the tomato sauce behind and opt for a spicier sauce for these butternut squash noodles. A coconut-based curry adds flavor along with bell peppers, spinach and plenty of garlic, ginger, herbs and spices to round out the profile. It's a mouth-watering pasta meal that's ready in under 30 minutes
Recipe by Lexi's Clean Kitchen
Butternut Squash Noodles With Mushroom Cream Sauce
You'll love this way to use butternut squash as a pasta meal. Sautéed mushrooms and aromatics along with heavy cream and chicken broth create a delectable creamy sauce. Add the spiralized butternut squash noodles and let simmer until tender. So good!
Recipe by Jennifer Banz
Creamy Pesto Rutabaga Pasta
If you've been looking for a way to use rutabagas, try spiralizing them for a tasty noodle base for your next pasta meal. They soften in about 2 minutes in a skillet and they're perfect for tossing with pesto, cherry tomatoes and pine nuts or any protein that you want to add. What could be easier?
Recipe by Eating Bird Food
Low Carb Asparagus Noodles
A vegetable peeler will make quick work of creating pasta noodles from large, thick asparagus stalks. While you could eat them raw, a quick steam in the microwave will make them perfect for topping with a homemade lemon dijon sauce. A protein such as chicken, fish or shrimp would also pair well with this dish.
Recipe by My Life Cook Book
Sweet Potato Noodles With Vegan Alfredo Sauce
Sweet and savory combines in this delicious pasta dinner made with spiralized sweet potato noodles and a protein-packed vegan cashew sauce. Get your greens in with the addition of baby spinach. If you don't have sweet potatoes on hand, try spiralizing carrots as a substitute.
Recipe by This Healthy Kitchen
Celeriac Spaghetti With Shrimp And Asparagus
Celeriac, or celery root, is a wonderful vegetable to spiralize into noodles. It has a mild celery flavor that's perfect for sautéing with a little garlic and olive oil before topping it with roasted asparagus, mushrooms, and shrimp. Garnish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and chopped walnuts before serving this noodle meal.
Recipe by Daily Ciabatta
Paleo Eggplant Lasagna
Grain-free and dairy-free but packed with seasoned fresh vegetables and a hearty ground beef sauce, this lasagna proves that you can still enjoy this Italian-inspired classic with a paleo twist. Here, lengthwise strips of eggplant divide the delicious layers of homemade meat sauce and veggies. No cheesy component is needed for this lasagna extravaganza - it's that good!
Recipe by Big Eats Tiny Kitchen
Packaged noodles
Try these recipes when you don't want to make your own noodles.
Keto Singapore Noodles
Make this healthier version of a favorite takeout item right at home. You can easily find shirataki angel hair "miracle noodles" online to use in your low carb noodle meals. Here, they're the perfect low carb substitute for this cabbage, shrimp and chicken meal that's flavored with spices and sesame oil.
Recipe by Have Butter Will Travel
Whole30 Shrimp Lo Mein
This healthy version of shrimp low mein uses hearts of palm noodles in place of regular noodles. The palm noodles make it low carb and gluten-free while tasting amazingly close to real low mein noodles. It's a complete game changer if you love this take out classic!
Recipe by Mary's Whole Life
Low Carb Pad Thai
You won't believe this pad Thai dish is actually low carb, but it is, thanks to kelp noodles. These zero carb seaweed noodles replace the classic vermicelli noodles to produce a very similar texture that works perfectly for this tasty meal. Chicken, scrambled eggs, onions, mushrooms and a homemade spicy sauce finish off this dish that is sure to become one of your favorites.
Recipe by Wicked Spatula
Sesame Chicken Kelp Noodles
Kelp noodles are the perfect accompaniment to this Asian-inspired chicken dish that's packed with veggies like mushrooms, broccoli and carrots. A zesty sauce of toasted sesame oil, garlic and coconut aminos adds a punch of deliciousness to the ensemble. The no-boil kelp noodles are added to the sauce to soften them up before plating up this tasty meal.
Recipe by Wholesome Yum
Homemade Pasta
If you want to make pasta from scratch, these recipes show you how!
Lemon Basil Coconut Flour Pasta
Coconut flour, egg, baking powder and xanthum gum are seasoned with herbs before being mixed into dough. Let the dough rise before rolling it out and cutting into noodles. You'll actually steam these noodles to cook them rather than drop them in water. Serve and enjoy these fresh grain-free, gluten-free noodles.
Recipe by Craving 4 More
How To Make Keto Noodles
If you're ready to try your hand at making this homemade keto pasta recipe, it couldn't be easier. It's a low carb grain-free noodle that includes cheese, egg yolk and lots of savory herbs. The mixture gets spread on a baking sheet and after a short session in the oven, cool it before slicing into noodles. These noodles are perfect for keto diet friendly marinara and Alfredo sauces.
Recipe by Low Carb Yum
Almond Flour Pasta
Grain-free and gluten-free, this 4-ingredient recipe will have you making these paleo-friendly noodles on the regular. Almond flour, eggs, tapioca starch and water are all you need to make the dough. Give it 30 minutes to rise before rolling it out and slicing it. Boil the noodles for just a few minutes before serving with your favorite sauce. Oh, and the leftover cooked pasta is freezer-friendly!
Recipe by The Big Man's World
If you are looking for a way to satisfy your pasta cravings without the carbs, these creative options might be just what you need. There’s something here for everyone who loves pasta but wants to eat healthy too!
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