The words healthy and pasta usually don’t go together but prepare to be completely mind-blown because these low-carb pasta recipes aren’t only healthy, but they’re actually delicious too.
So, get ready to love pasta night even more because we’re showing you how you can enjoy your favorite pasta dish without the guilt.
Here’s How to Make Low Carb Pasta That Actually Tastes Good
Before diving into our top three favorite low-carb pasta recipes, here are five tips to keep in mind when it comes to making pasta a healthy and nutritious dish.
#1 Mix Half & Half
When you think about low-carb pasta, what comes to mind? For many of us, it’s spiralized veggies, and while these can totally be delicious, you don’t have to go from carb-heavy pasta to vegetable pasta right off the bat.
A great trick here is to start with doing half and half. Try half gluten-free spaghetti and half spiralized zucchini — it’ll cut the carb count a bit and will give you an added serving of veggies too.
#2 Cook Spiralized Zucchini to Avoid That Crunchy Not Very Pasta-like Texture
When making “spaghetti” out of spiralized veggies (such as spiralized zucchini), cooking them before serving with all your favorite pasta add-ins is a great way to get rid of the raw veggie crunch, and have your low carb pasta, or noodles taste more like the real thing.
Here are two ways to cook zoodles.
Option #1 Saute: Saute for 3-5 minutes with coconut or avocado oil.
Option #2 Boil: Boil for 1 minute and then drain and pat dry.
#3 Don’t Skimp on Flavor
Spiralized low carb veggie noodles often lack flavor if eating them alone, but adding all of your favorite pasta add-ins brings them to life!
The bottom line here is not to skimp on flavor — think garlic, caramelized onion, oregano, thyme, and your favorite marinara or pesto sauce.
#4 Go For Convenience
Many grocery stores offer pre-spiralized zoodles, so go for convenience if you don’t feel like spending time spiralizing the veggie noodles yourself!
#5 Try Store-bought Options When in a Pinch
There are also plenty of other store-bought low carb noodles aside from spiralized vegetables, that can make great alternatives when you just aren’t in the mood for a spiralized veggie pasta dish.
Some great options include Shirataki Noodles, Palmini Noodles, and Wonder Noodles.
Here’s What You Need to Make Low Carb Pasta Noodles
While you can always purchase store-bought already spiralized or already made low-carb noodles, if you choose to make your own, here are a few tools that come in handy.
Veggie spiralizer, baking dish, baking sheet, and a stockpot.
3 Delicious Low Carb Pasta Recipes That Make Pasta Night Healthy
No-Pasta Zucchini & Leek Lasagne
This healthy comfort food dish is so easy to make and can be paired with a protein of choice and a side salad for an added boost of veggies!
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
- 5 medium zucchini, washed
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 leek, thinly sliced
- 1 cup Napoletana sauce
- 4 tbsp mozzarella or parmesan cheese
- 4 tbsp goat cheese (optional)
- Fresh basil, chili flakes, and extra parmesan for serving
Directions:
Step #1: Preheat oven to 180°C or 350°F. Line a baking dish with baking paper.
Step #2: Peel the zucchinis into long strips lengthways.
Step #3: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the sliced leeks and sauté for 2-3 minutes, or until they’re golden. Add sliced zucchini and 1 tbsp olive oil. Season with sea salt and pepper. Add Napoletana sauce and stir to coat the vegetables.
Step #4: Transfer the zucchini mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top with mozzarella or Parmesan cheese (if using) and crumble over goat cheese (if using).
Step #5: Bake in oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden. Top with fresh basil, chili flakes, and extra Parmesan cheese, to serve.
Turkey Meatballs With Zoodles
A classic pasta dish made healthy. Made with ground turkey and flavorful spices, this pasta and meatball dish does not disappoint.
Serves: 3
Ingredients:
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- ½ brown onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated (optional)
- 1 lbs ground turkey
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cans canned tomatoes
- 1 tsp oregano
To serve
- 2 cups pasta of choice, cooked
- 3 zucchini, spiralized
Directions:
Step #1: In a large mixing bowl whisk the egg, Dijon mustard and chia seeds. Season generously with sea salt and pepper. Stir in the onion, garlic, chopped herbs and parmesan cheese, if using. Add the meat to the bowl and use wet hands to knead the mixture together.
Step #2: Transfer the meatball mix to the fridge to set for a minimum of 30 minutes. This allows the mixture to bind.
Step #3: Remove the meatball mix from the fridge. Heat 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large frying pan over a medium-high heat. Using wet hands, roll the mixture into golf ball sized meatballs and place them into the hot pan. Fry the meatballs for 5-7 minutes, turning them to ensure they’re evenly caramelized.
Step #4: Add the tinned tomatoes and dried oregano to the pan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover with a lid and allow to cook for 15 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through.
Step #5: Serve with a mix of zucchini noodles and pasta and top with parmesan cheese, if using.
Tuna Pasta Bake
A healthy and wholesome alternative to a traditional pasta bake. This healthy pasta dish is easy to make, full of flavor, and sure to satisfy any pasta craving.
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
- 6 large zucchini
- 1½ tbsp olive oil
- 1½ cups Napoletana sauce
- 13 oz canned tuna, drained
- ½ red onion, diced
- 1 tbsp pesto
- ½ cup basil leaves, chopped
- 3 tbsp parmesan cheese, grated (optional)
Directions:
Step #1: Preheat the oven to 180°C or 350°F. Line a baking tray with baking paper.
Step #2: Leave the skin on the zucchini and using a vegetable spiralizer or peeler, make noodle-like strips. The vegetable peeler will give you fettuccine-like pasta. Weigh as you go. You’ll need about 500g in total.
Step #3: Spread out the zucchini noodles on the prepared tray, then drizzle over the olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Step #4: Spoon the Napoletana sauce evenly over the noodles, then top with the tuna, onion, pesto, basil and chili, and Parmesan (if using).
Step #5: Season to taste, then bake for 20-30 minutes or until the topping is crisp and golden.
Step #6: Garnish with extra basil and, if you like, a final sprinkling of Parmesan.
Yummy Low Carb Pasta Does Exist
Pasta night can be healthy and delicious, and these three low-carb pasta recipes are proof that we can enjoy some of our favorite comfort foods, the healthy way.
If you’re a pasta lover and want to add a healthy spin to your traditional pasta dish, try one of these recipes, or get creative and transform your favorite pasta recipe into a low carb version using spiralized veggies! With these healthy pasta recipes, pasta night is sure to be a hit.
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