Pasta Alternatives For Delicious Dinners That Will Wow Your Family

Whether you are gluten-free or just looking for a healthier or low calorie option, these pasta alternatives hit the spot with taste and nutrition! Now that I crave nutrition with each meal, I’ve substituted processed noodles with these delicious pasta alternatives.

Kelp Noodles. This delightful pasta alternative is made from kelp, a brown seaweed that is known for it’s iodine content. This is great for a gluten-free diet that can sometimes result in iodine deficiencies. Kelp noodles are low calorie and have a crunchy texture so they are great for stir fries, soups, salads and vegetable dishes. They are flavorless so they will pick up whatever flavors you add to them; choose your favorite sauces and be sure to stir so the flavors can soak in.

Spaghetti Squash. The flesh of the winter squash separates into strands once it has been cooked, so it is a great nutritional pasta alternative. I love the spaghetti squash because it is super nutritious and tastes amazing with pesto or with topped with melted cheese. Plus, it has all those vitamins and minerals our bodies crave.

Soba Noodles. These noodles are made of buckwheat flour and are probably the closest thing to spaghetti noodles without actually being spaghetti noodles. They are a really good source of manganese; other than that they don’t offer too much nutrition-wise, but they are a great gluten-free option. This pasta alternative is served in a variety of hot and cold dishes. Try one for your next meal!

Shirataki Noodles. These noodles come from the root of a plant that is high in fiber so they are extra filling! They are packaged ready to eat and are best to eat with cheesy, creamy dishes or my personal favorite, fried with herbs and veggies.

Zucchini Noodles. I love to make noodles out of zucchini because they have the great flavor and nutrition of the vegetable and they are awesome cold or hot. These noodles are super delicious with pesto or any other typical spaghetti or white sauce.

Pasta alternatives are a great way to spice up a meal without adding unhealthy preservatives. Just add your favorite sauce, veggies and protein. The possibilities are endless!