Healthy Pasta Swaps
Jillian Berndtson
| 2 min read
Ziti, and gnocchi, and penne, oh my!
Pasta dishes are great when you need a lot of food in a short amount of time. You can also garnish your dish to your liking to please picky and adventurous eaters alike. Different sauces and oils can dress up your pasta, making the possibilities endless!
Whether you’re looking for gluten-free pastas or just trying to cut down on carbs, you can make simple modifications to match your needs.
Here are some healthier alternatives to pasta for your next meal:
- Spiraled vegetables: Zucchini, butternut squash and beets all make for great substitutes to traditional noodles. Spiral them and garnish with lighter flavors to get the best tasting pasta alternative. You can also buy pre-spiraled vegetables, but make note of their short three-day shelf-life. Try our Turkey Marinara Pasta with Zoodles recipe to cut calories and add vitamins to your meal.
- Quinoa pasta: Quinoa has plenty of health benefits including added protein, fiber and iron and is gluten-free. Quinoa pasta has a similar consistency and taste to traditional noodles but adds nutrients, making this a near-secret modification.
- Brown rice pasta: These pasta noodles are gluten-free and pair well with traditional pasta sauces and add vitamins and minerals to your pasta dish. Make the switch to your pasta dish to give your body a boost of nutrients.
- Soba noodles: These noodles are usually found in Japanese cuisine. They are made from buckwheat and are high in protein and fiber and low in fat. They look like traditional pasta noodles but offer more health benefits. Authentic soba noodles are gluten-free, but read the label of your selection to make sure.
- Vegetable lasagna: Slice vegetables such as eggplant or zucchini to sub in for lasagna noodles. Make large slices and layer them across your pasta sauce and cheese to add a layer of “noodles”. Using vegetables instead of noodles can help to cut carbs and add vitamins and minerals to your diet. You can start by trying out this Zucchini Lasagna Roll recipe.
What is your favorite pasta alternative? Share with us in the comments.
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