Fact: Pasta is delicious. Whether served simple with olive oil or butter or combined with a more complicated sauce like bolognese or pesto, there's just something so comforting about eating a big bowl of noodles, no matter how it's served. But if you have a gluten sensitivity or are trying to limit your carb intake, traditional pasta dishes are basically off-limits. That doesn't mean you can't enjoy mac 'n cheese or spaghetti and meatballs, though. You just have to look outside the (pasta) box. Here, we've rounded up our favorite low-carb, gluten-free pastas that are oh-so-tasty (and made with super-healthy ingredients to boot).
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Whip up creamy bowl of penne a la vodka... with half the carbs. This penne pasta is made with gluten-free chickpeas, which contain four times the fiber and double the protein of traditional starches. The pasta also contains pea protein, tapioca flour, and xanthan gum (which is used as a binding agent instead of eggs).
Cauliflower is the food of the moment, and if Trader Joe's constantly sold out cauliflower gnocchi has taught us anything, it's pretty amazing in pasta form. Enter this six-box variety pack, featuring penne and spaghetti made from cauliflower flour, lentil flour, and pea flour. You'll get a full serving of veggies as well as a healthy serving of potassium, fiber, and iron.
This pasta alternative is made with just one ingredient: red lentils. The rotini noodles are packed with plant-based protein, fiber, and minerals and are the perfect complement to a variety of vegetables and sauces.
Cheesy, saucy lasagna doesn't have to be off-limits if you're watching your carbs: These lasagna noodles are made from green lentils, which are high in plant-based protein and fiber for a filling meal.
