Low-carb pasta alternatives are a great way to continue enjoying your favorite pasta dishes while also enjoying added nutrition and health benefits.
Pasta is a dish loved by many and is used in a variety of cuisines across the world. However, this delicious food is also high in both carbs and gluten. For those who are gluten-intolerant, or those who wish to limit their carb intake, alternatives of this filling ingredient are needed. Luckily, you can still make some of your favorite pasta dishes using low carb pasta alternatives that are just as tasty, and even more nutritious.
1. Vegetable Spirals
Vegetables are a great source of vitamins, minerals and fiber, making them an excellent, low-carb alternative to pasta. Vegetable spirals are made using a spiralizer, but can be easily made by slicing vegetables very finely in long strips. Vegetables that work best as pasta alternatives include carrots, zucchinis, cucumbers and beets.
Vegetable spirals work really well as low-carb pasta alternatives because they are so versatile. Zucchini spirals work really well paired with a classic tomato sauce. Simply cook the zucchini spirals as you would pasta by tossing them into a pot of boiling water for 3 to 5 minutes, until they are al dente.
You can also eat vegetable spirals raw. Vegetable spirals like cucumber and carrots are delicious low-carb pasta alternatives in cold dishes like pasta salad, paired with a lemon vinaigrette, other crunchy veggies and fresh herbs.
2. Spaghetti Squash
Spaghetti squash is a really unique and tasty vegetable that can easily double as a low-carb pasta alternative. To cook the squash, prick the skin several times with a fork and bake in a pre-heated oven for 30 to 45 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Once cooked, the flesh of the squash can be separated into noodles using a fork.
Spaghetti squash goes really well with all your favorite spaghetti sauces, like homemade pesto, bolognaise, or a classic tomato and basil sauce.
3. Cabbage Pasta
There are many different types of cabbage, and their leaves can make a great alternative to lasagne sheets. To prepare a low-carb lasagne with cabbage, all you have to do is separate the leaves from the cabbage and bring a large pot of water to the boil. Once boiling, drop a few cabbage leaves into the water for about two minutes. The cabbage leaves are ready when they can be bent easily, without breaking. Then simply assemble your cabbage sheets as you would with a traditional lasagne recipe and bake in the oven.
4. Eggplant Lasagne Sheets
Just like cabbage sheets for lasagne, eggplant works wonders as a low-carb and delicious alternative to lasagne sheets.
To prepare an eggplant lasagne, slice the eggplant lengthwise into thin slices. Preheat the oven the oven to 350F and brush both sides of the eggplant slices with a little olive oil, before placing them on a baking dish. Roast the slices of eggplant until they are soft and golden, this should take about 20 to 30 minutes. Turn them once halfway through. Then assemble your tasty, low-carb lasagne, bake, and enjoy!
5. Onion Spaghetti
Normally onions are used in pasta sauces, but they can also be used as a nutritious and tasty low carb alternative to pasta itself. To make onion spaghetti, peel and slice your onions into ¼-inch rings. Place these rings onto a roasting tray and drizzle over with olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast them in the oven for 30 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, stirring them once halfway through. The onions should turn golden brown.
Onion spaghetti is smooth and sweet in flavor, and pairs really well with a rich pasta sauce, like a spicy roasted red pepper and tomato sauce.
6. Sherataki Noodles
Sherataki noodles are low in carbs and calories and are made from the fiber of the konjac plant. They are long noodles that are very filling, and so make for a perfect low-carb alternative to pasta. They also could not be easier to prepare: simply remove the noodles from their packaging and rinse them under hot water to warm them up. Now you can add them to your favorite sauce and eat up!
7. Seaweed Pasta
Perhaps not the most obvious choice for pasta, but seaweed is a great replacement for pasta like fettuccine or spaghetti. Seaweed has a lower carb percentage than normal pasta, and adds a delicious sea-like flavor to dishes.
To make seaweed pasta, slice seaweed sheets into long strips and cook them in boiling water for five to seven minutes. Because of its fishy taste, seaweed pasta works wonders as a low-carb alternative to a seafood pasta dish.
Read more:
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- Spinach and Feta Pizza: Not Just For Vegetarians
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