What are Keto-Friendly Noodles?
Regular pasta is packed full of carbs and isn’t even close to being in the keto-friendly wheelhouse. However, there are such things as low-carb noodles that are easy to incorporate into the keto diet. If you need a pasta fix that won’t ruin your diet, here are our top keto noodle recipes to help you satisfy that craving.
1. Keto Spaghetti and Meatballs
The author uses Wonder Noodles instead of regular spaghetti since these noodles behave just like spaghetti when cooked. Another bonus is that Wonder Noodles have zero carbs and zero calories. If you can’t find the Wonder Noodles brand readily available, you can substitute it with shirataki or zucchini noodles.
Traditional meatballs use bread crumbs as a binder and are, therefore, not normally keto-friendly. Instead, you will learn how to make homemade meatballs using a combination of minced beef and finely-diced chicken liver. Don’t let the chicken liver throw you off. After it cooks in the sauce, the chicken liver will become tender, and the flavor will mellow out.
If you have leftovers, you can store them in the fridge for up to 2 days or freeze them in an airtight container. Be sure to defrost your spaghetti and meatballs in the refrigerator a day beforehand and reheat them thoroughly in a saucepan.
Get the full recipe and directions from Sweet as Honey.
2. Keto Spaghetti Squash Casserole with Alfredo Sauce
This creamy casserole looks enticing and tastes heavenly. It does require a bit of effort to prep the spaghetti squash, but the result makes it worth it. Spaghetti squash is also known as noodle squash due to the way it pulls apart after it’s cooked. The author says that spaghetti squash strands are firm, long, and tasteless, much like a typical spaghetti noodle.
You will learn how to prep the spaghetti squash for the best results. A tip they share is to cut the squash lengthwise. To make it start to caramelize, place the flesh side down on your pan and bake them for about 35 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
You can add shredded chicken to your casserole along with the cheese sauce to add more protein to the dish. Feel free to prep the spaghetti squash ahead of time so that you can quickly put the casserole together when you’re ready to eat. After baking it, this casserole will keep for up to three days in the fridge. Alternatively, you can freeze it in single-serve containers to use later.
Get the full recipe and directions from Sweet as Honey.
3. Keto Pesto Chicken with Zucchini Noodles
Who doesn’t love pesto? This keto dish can be done in just 30 minutes and can easily be made in bulk to feed a crowd. The pesto for this recipe consists of fresh basil, olive oil, garlic, cubed parmesan cheese, walnuts, salt, and pepper. Use a food processor to make a fine crumbly consistency with the cheese, walnuts, and garlic. Combine the rest of the pesto ingredients until everything is thoroughly blended.
Keep in mind that the pesto should be on the salty side to balance out the creamy sauce. Next, cook the chicken and the sauce in a pan and add the zucchini noodles at the very end, so they don’t get too soft before serving.
Get the full recipe and directions from Aussie Keto Queen.
4. Zucchini Noodle Primavera
This dish is vegetarian-friendly and is about as straightforward as they come. The recipe says to spiralize a fresh zucchini or two and sprinkle the zoodles with salt. After that, set the zoodles on a paper towel for about 20 minutes to draw out the moisture. Ring out any excess water so that they are as dry as possible.
Next, heat some olive oil and cook thinly sliced onion and bell peppers until they are soft and translucent. Add in yellow or red grape tomatoes and allow them to cook for about 4 minutes. Stir in a couple of tablespoons of milk, cream, or almond milk, and add pecorino cheese on top to create this fresh, vibrant dish.
Get the full recipe and directions from Allrecipes.
5. Keto Pad Thai
Get ready to whip up this Asian-inspired cuisine in just 15 minutes. You can add either shrimp or chicken to complete this delicious weeknight meal. Pad Thai traditionally uses rice noodles, but this recipe uses shirataki noodles (also known as konjac noodles) instead to make it keto-friendly.
The author suggests following these steps to prepare the noodles. First, drain and thoroughly rinse them in cold water. Place them in boiling water for two minutes and dry the noodles in a non-oiled pan over medium heat. Be aware that you will have to measure several ingredients to make the sauce, but rest assured, it will taste fresh with a hint of spice to it, just like regular Asian dishes.
Get the full recipe and directions from Gnom Gnom.
6. Cacio E Pepe Egg Noodles
These homemade egg noodles only take 20 minutes to make and use some of the most fundamental ingredients. The best part is, you don’t have to use any boiling water to make them. You will cook the eggs omelet style, but make sure you do it in batches to get thin, even layers. After the eggs cook through, let them cool for a minute before rolling them up and slicing them into ¼ inch noodles. Return the noodles to a buttered skillet and add a bit of water and grated parmesan cheese until you can coat all the noodles. Season with salt and pepper, and you’re all set!
Get the full recipe and directions from Delish.
7. Low Carb and Cheesy Keto Pasta Bake
This recipe uses Gnooda Pasta, a revolutionary keto-friendly pasta that looks, cooks, and tastes like regular pasta. It is high in fiber and protein and only has three net carbs per serving. If you ask us, it is worth the money to buy this stuff. This pasta bake is as simple as it comes and consists of pasta, marinara sauce, and mozzarella.
The author recommends making a homemade marinara sauce if you can. However, Rao’s marinara doesn’t have added sugar in it. Find a quality store-bought marinara sauce like this from the store and stock up on it. Mix the sauce with the cooked pasta and sprinkle a hefty amount of cheese on top before baking it. If you want to add fresh parmesan or pecorino to the shredded mozzarella, go for it. The author says you can honestly add whatever melty cheese you like. You can also add olives or sun-dried tomatoes for an extra bit of color and flavor.
Get the full recipe and directions from PunchFork.
We hope you enjoy creating some keto-friendly pasta dishes soon. There are so many different flavor combinations out there. Feel free to experiment with any of these recipes to make it your own.
If you liked this post, we think you’ll really like our Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta recipe post.
