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How to Make Easy Low Carb Pasta Alternatives

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Are you trying to reduce your carb intake but love pasta? There are many Keto vegetable pasta options with my low carb pasta alternatives that taste great, filling, and easy to make. Make your own or get a Shirataki Noodles for more Gluten-free, Grain-Free and Keto variety.

Keto and Low Carb Noodles, Pasta, Gnocchi alternatives
Keto Pasta Alternatives
Last Updated: October 16, 2019

Pasta is a well-known, well-loved comfort food tradition served internationally that started from our earliest childhood memories.

Many families include this easy, cheap and versatile dish into their daily diet. However, when changing our diet to reduce carbs, it’s frustrating not knowing how to implement easy low carb pasta alternatives. 

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Yet, there are simple ways to eat pasta using tasty, tried and true low carb pasta noodles recipes. In our family, we know what the best pasta alternatives work for us that are easy to make, taste great, and filling too. 

Best Pasta Alternatives

I’ll share with you many alternatives to pasta that you can buy and where to buy it. Plus, I’ll also show you how to make low carb pasta in the convenience of your home. Here are my favorite low carb noodle dishes that fit all families in any stage of life. 

These 3 vegetable noodle options are either store-bought or can be made at home. Store-bought ones are pretty tasty but my daughter Sophie prefers my homemade version.

Shirataki Tagliatelle in a bowl
Low Carb Pasta Variations

What types of Keto Pasta Alternatives are there?

  1. Shirataki Noodles
  2. Vegetable Pasta
  3. Homemade Noodles
  4. Kelp Noodles
  5. Palmini Noodles
  6. Store-bought Ready-made Pasta

Just incase you are jotting down your grocery list, we have got a great Collection of the best Kitchen Gadgets you might need in your Keto Pantry.

best Noodles substitute
Zucchini Pasta

Low Carb Pasta Option One: Shirataki Noodles

Shirataki Noodles are thin, translucent, gelatinous traditional Japanese noodles made from the konjac yam. Hence, that’s why they are perfect vegetable pasta noodles!

Where can you find Shirataki noodles?

Shirataki noodles, sometimes also called “Miracle Noodles” can be found both in dry and soft “wet” forms in Asian markets and some supermarkets. When purchased wet, they are packaged in liquid. They normally have a shelf life of up to one year. Some brands may require rinsing or par-boiling, as the water they are packaged in has an odor that may be unpleasant to those not accustomed to it.

If you find Shirataki Noodles to be a bit too much gummy for you, try the Tofu Shirataki Option, which is actually our favorite. It does contain a bit calories and a tiny bit amount of Tofu, but the consistency is really awesome. Very much like real Noodles. And they also sell it in various shapes, which is just perfect.

Sirataki Noodles
Keto Noodles Varieties

Shirataki Noodles Recipes

Need some fresh ideas to get started with this healthy low carb pasta alternative?

Take a look at our Chicken Shirataki Noodles Recipe, or try this healthy dish of Stuffed Peppers with Low Carb Rice.

Alternative Methods of Cooking Shirataki Noodles

Alternatively, those noodles can be drained and dry roasted. This method gets rid of the bitterness you may not enjoy in these Japanese noodles.

It also makes the noodles have a more pasta-like consistency. 

Zoodles
Zucchini Spaghetti

How do you dry roast Shirataki Noodles?

Dry roasting is done by placing noodles in a non-stick skillet on high for just one minute, or until you hear a slight squeaking noise when moving them around.

Afterwards, they are ready to be added to soup stock or have a sauce added to them. This cooking method soak up all the flavor of the Shirataki Noodles dish and are completely Carbohydrates free, calorie free and gluten-free

Low Carb Pasta Option Two: Vegetable Pasta

In addition, you can make your own keto pasta from various vegetables.

To start, you’ll need a vegetable spiralizer or a hand vegetable peeler.

They are very easy to use and clean up is a breeze. 

Keto Pasta vegetables
Vegetable Pasta Alternatives

The most popular are:

  • Zucchinis also called “Zoodles
  • Cucumbers
  • Root vegetables
  • Spaghetti Squash
  • Eggplant
  • Kohlrabi
  • Cabbage
  • Sprouts
  • Carrots
  • Cauliflower
  • Broccoli Stems
  • Onions
  • Asparagus
  • Palmini

Asparagus Tagliatelle Noodles

Keto Asparagus Tagliatelle Pasta - Completely Low Carb with a black background with bright red capsicum
Asparagus Noodles

This option you most likely have never heard of and will surprise you {as I was} how delicious it can be! My very own recipe Asparagus Tagliatelle Completely Low Carb calls for using white asparagus in the flat ribbon form of noodles called “Tagliatelle“. 

Impress your hungry low carb or keto diet friends over to try this wonderful vegetable noodle recipe. Plus, this article includes a super scrumptious asparagus sauce.

Keto Cauliflower Rice

How to Collage for Keto Sushi Rolls Recipe
How to Collage for Keto Sushi Rolls Recipe

Another option to make Low Carb rice is an example of using a cauliflower. With a simple trick, I have shown in a video within our Keto-Friendly Sushi Rolls Recipe, you can make a perfect Keto Rice, graining cauliflower heads in a Blender filled with water. Use it for making either Keto Sushi or add it into a different dish just like you would an ordinary rice.

You can use the Cauliflower heads as an example in this Jalapeno Popper Cauliflower “Mac” and Cheese recipe as well. So many options.

Keto Pasta Option three: Homemade Noodles

How to Make Low Carb Pasta?

Would you also like to try making your very own homemade low carb pasta keto style?

Don’t be afraid to try your own Keto or Low Carb Pasta using various ingredients combined together.

The most popular are eggs mixed with either different types of fiber or even a nut meal. 

I am attaching a little sheet, I have made for myself, where you have a various low carb pasta alternatives and choices for you to try. I use most of them because each person in the family has got their own favorite Keto Pasta alternatives.

Low Carb Pasta alternatives
Various Keto Homemade Pasta

Need some fresh, ketofriendly ideas to get started?

We have made our own, which we really like, and you can try to make it as well. 

Keto Fiber Noodles. They are simple to make, a great substitute for carb-covered pasta in soups, pasta dishes, pasta, and more!

Low Carb Fettuccine Noodles or Soup Noodles are another alternative made with Oat Fiber if you would like to explore.

Another option for which we do have a recipe is Homemade Keto Egg Noodles. Pretty easy to make and your craving for Pasta would be gone in seconds. Made into Keto Lasagna it is great choice for your casserole as well.

For a different look and feel try our Homemade Keto Spaghetti or Homemade Low Carb Pasta with one of the Italian sauces. A great example is our Low Carb Spaghetti Bolognese.

Using an Oat Fiber, this Quick and Easy 3 Ingredient Keto Pasta is a great idea as well. Together with our Marinara Sauce, you can have in a few minutes a full dinner meal of Italian Keto Pasta Marinara on your table.

Since Keto Gnocchi is part of Italian Pasta selections, I am adding them in here as well. Making Keto Spinach Gnocchi, Keto Gnocchi Tomato Basil, or Gnocchi with Bacon and Cream Sauce with them was a breeze.

Keto Fiber Noodles mix of green and yellow noodles
Keto Fiber Noodles

Plus, learn more about the different types of vegetable pasta that are replacing spaghetti noodles in households everywhere!

Keto Pasta Alternative Four: Kelp Noodles

Kelp Noodles is another low carb pasta substitute bought in the shops. They are translucent noodles made from edible Kelp (Algae Seaweed). The texture is pretty much jelly-like, similar to rice noodles but without carbs and many calories.

They can be eaten raw, but most popular are added into the dished directly, to soak up the flavor. Make sure you rinse them before use.

Keto Pasta variations
Keto Pasta Variations

Keto Pasta Alternative Five: Palmini Pasta

Palmini Noodles are made directly from Hearts of Palm. Shaped into various Low Carb Pasta alternatives, you can find Angel hair, Linguine, Lasagna, or Rice. 

Once fully rinsed and added to your dish, you will not even know those are not real noodles.

Palmini Noodles does not need to be cooked and can be served straight from the can. 

How does Palmini Pasta taste like?

When you try them straight out of the can, they have a slightly sour taste, which disappears once you fully wash them. 

Taste is similar to al dente noodles, which I love and have decided to keep it at that.

But if you would like to have them a bit softer, you can boil them for 5-10 minutes.

If you find Palmini Noodles too acidic, you can also soak them in nut milk or cream for a while and then rinse once again. 

Recipes made with Palmini Pasta:

Alternative to pasta Six: Store-bought ready-made Keto Pasta

Year by year, there are more and more producers, selling and promoting ready-made Keto or Low carb Pasta alternatives. Some of them are a mixture of various protein powders, some are made from nut flours. An advantage is, that their shelf life is much longer as our homemade keto Pasta. You can store them for the days, when you really have no time and need the food on the table really quick.

Please as I do mention several times. Do read your labels. ALWAYS. Some of them still contain starch and flour, even though in less amount to normal pasta. But you can find your favorites.

Thankfully, today you can find a variety of brands with low-carb noodles in health shops. We have tried quite a few of them but, they can raise blood sugar and do not always taste great. Therefore we are sticking with the low carb alternatives I mentioned above and hope you find the best recipe for you and your family!

What Sauces would go with Keto Pasta or Noodles?

As we are by the Low Carb Noodles alternatives, it is wise to mention some sauces which can be perfectly accommodated.

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Keto and Low Carb Pasta, Noodles, Spaghetti, Rice, Gnocchi Variations

Are you trying to reduce your carb intake but love pasta? There are many Low Carb and Keto Noodles options and alternatives that taste great, filling, and easy to make. 

Various dishes prepared with Low Carb and Keto Spaghetti, Gnocchi, Pasta, Rice, Noodles variation as well as recipes on how to make your own Egg Keto Noodles, Keto Fiber Noodles and more.

By Zuzana Paar on October 16th, 2019
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About Zuzana Paar

Zuzana is the creative force behind this vibrant blog. With passion as a recipe developer, content creator, food writer, movie maker, and photographer, she poured her heart and soul into curating a space brimming with delightful keto and low carb recipes. Join her on this flavorful journey where quick, easy-to-make dishes take center stage, bringing joy and nourishment to your table.

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33 Comments on “How to Make Easy Low Carb Pasta Alternatives”

  1. I had so much fun experimenting in the beginning with the different options out there…but you’ve suggested some I’ve never tried! I like them all in different applications…so much variety!

    Reply
  2. Fascinating article, I did not realize there were that many low carb keto options. Going to get some oat fiber and try making keto fiber noodles. Veggie noodles are good but lack a true noodle texture. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  3. Cappello’s makes almond flour & sweet potato gnocchi, spaghetti, & fettuccini. Jovial Foods makes cassava flour spaghetti, penne, elbows & orzo pastas. There is also chickpea flour pastas from Banza…

    Reply
    • Those are great tips. Although all sweet potatoes, Cassava or Chickpeas have all so much carbohydrates, that will probably not fit into the macros for some and therefore are not really advisable to use in Keto Lifestyle.

      Reply
    • Every homemade pasta is linked. Once you click on the highlighted name, it takes you directly to the recipe. Also towards the end of the article, you have a whole list of all of the homemade pasta recipes together with pictures.

      Reply

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