Drop Your Calorie Count by Swapping Pasta out for These Alternatives

Craving pasta, but counting calories? Try a nutrient-rich alternative. Whether you spiralize your most beloved veggies for a low-calorie take on your favorite dishes, or you give protein-rich bean pasta a try, making the switch to a pasta alternative is a delicious way to add more nutrient-rich foods to your diet.

From spaghetti to shells to elbows and fettuccine, you can find a variety of exquisite pasta alternatives on the same shelves as some of the more traditional options. Up ahead, we share a selection of guilt-free pasta alternatives you’re going to want to try.

1. Explore Cuisine’s edamame spaghetti

Explore Cuisine’s edamame spaghetti | Explore Cuisine

Looking to add more nutrient-rich foods to your diet? Consider edamame spaghetti (six boxes for $25) as an option. What makes this pasta alternative so unique? Made from just one ingredient — organic edamame beans — one serving of these vegan, gluten-free spaghetti noodles equals half of your daily protein and fiber requirements.

2. Banza’s chickpea penne pasta

Banza’s chickpea penne pasta | Thrive Market

Make your pasta dinner healthy by adding a protein-rich alternative. Made from chickpeas and pea protein, Banza pasta ($3.99) tastes as good as the real deal — and that’s not all. Like many other bean-based pasta alternatives, one serving of these chickpea noodles are rich in iron, protein, and fiber.

3. Ancient Harvest’s black bean elbows

Ancient Harvest’s black bean elbows | Ancient Harvest

If you’ve browsed the pasta aisle at your local market recently, you might have noticed that there are many options for pasta alternatives — and one alternative in particular is popping up everywhere. From Trader Joe’s to Whole Foods, black bean pasta is quickly becoming a must-try alternative. Made from black bean flour, brown rice flour, and organic quinoa flour, the black bean elbows ($4.49) from Ancient Harvest are rich in iron, protein, and fiber and make for a delicious, healthy alternative.

4. Spaghetti squash

Who knew squash could also be spaghetti? | iStock.com/DipaliS

Think pasta alternatives don’t taste as good as the real deal? Think again! Whether you’re making traditional “spaghetti” and meatballs, or using it instead of traditional noodles in a lasagna dish, spaghetti squash is as delicious as it is nutritious. Low in calories, the yellow, pasta-like squash delivers health-benefiting nutrients — think: potassium, vitamin A, and vitamin C — straight to your mouth.

5. Al Dente Pasta’s spinach fettuccine noodles

Al Dente Pasta’s spinach fettuccine noodles | iHerb

Looking for ways to add more greens to your diet? Try a pasta alternative made with spinach. Rich in fiber, the spinach noodles ($4.39) are a healthier alternative to regular fettuccine, but taste just as good!

6. Inspiralizer

The Inspiralizer | Inspiralizer

Want more pasta options that are not just low calorie but full of health-benefiting nutrients, too? Try making your own veggie noodles! Thanks to The Inspiralizer ($49.95), spiralizing your veggies is easier than ever. From zucchini noodles to carrots to squash, you can add the whole rainbow to your dish and reap the benefits of a variety of different vegetables. All while enjoying a delicious “pasta” meal!

7. Ancient Harvest’s quinoa supergrain pasta shells

Ancient Harvest’s quinoa supergrain pasta shells | Ancient Harvest

With gluten-free pasta more popular than ever, quinoa noodles are having a major moment. And the quinoa supergrain pasta shells ($3.89) allow you to reap the benefits of a supergrain pasta without compromising flavor. Made from all natural ingredients, the gluten-free shells can be added to your favorite mac and cheese recipe for a more nutritious take on a classic dish.

8. Explore Cuisine’s edamame and mung bean fettuccine

Explore Cuisine’s edamame and mung bean fettuccine | Explore Cuisine

Eating clean? Try a two-ingredient all-natural pasta like edamame and mung bean fettuccine (six for $25). Made from edamame and mung bean, these noodles put an Asian twist on an Italian classic. What’s more? These noodles are high in protein, fiber, and potassium.