5 Healthy and Delicious Alternatives to White Pasta

For anyone watching their weight or simply trying to eat healthier, pasta is usually enemy number one. Refined white-flour noodles lack the fiber and nutrients of whole grains while still packing in calories. Good news for pasta lovers: the latest noodles are made of healthy, whole grain ingredients like quinoa, spelt, and kamut. From Spaghetti All'amatriciana to Creamy Three-Mushroom Pasta, try these good-for-you takes on pasta.

Brown Rice

What's it like?

Soft texture; tastes like... brown rice
Best for: Any pasta dish—baked, sautéed or cold in salad

Ingredients: Green peas, frozen edamame, sugar snap peas, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, extra-virgin olive oil, shallot, tarragon or dill, salt, freshly ground black pepper

Calories: 411

Try this recipe: Spring Pea Pasta Salad

Kamut

What's it like?

Similar texture to regular pasta; buttery, slightly nutty flavor
Best for: Any pasta dish—baked, sautéed or cold in salad

Ingredients: Extra-virgin olive oil, hot or sweet Italian turkey or chicken sausage, small onion, fresh rosemary, salt, broccoli rabe, garlic, red pepper flakes, Kamut spiral pasta or orecchiette, low-sodium chicken broth, Grana Padano or Parmesan

Calories: 410

Try this recipe: Pasta With Broccoli Rabe and Sausage

Whole-Wheat

What's it like?

Sturdy texture; earthy, nutty flavor
Best for: Any pasta dish—hot or cold in salad

Ingredients: Extra-virgin olive oil, leeks, medium shallots, salt, freshly ground black pepper, shiitake mushrooms, cremini mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, dry white wine, whole-wheat pappardelle, low-sodium chicken broth, mascarpone, fresh parsley

Calories: 376

Try this recipe: Creamy Three-Mushroom Pasta

Spelt

What's it like?

Tender texture; mildly nutty flavor
Best for: Sautéed dishes (it can fall apart when baked)

Ingredients: Pancetta, small onion, red pepper flakes, garlic, dry white wine, whole peeled tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, spelt spaghetti, pecorino

Calories: 321

Try this recipe: Spaghetti All'amatriciana

Quinoa

What's it like?

Delicate, silky texture; very mild flavor
Best for: Any pasta dish—hot or cold in salad

Ingredients: Asparagus, artichoke hearts, large red onion, extra-virgin olive oil, fresh thyme, salt, freshly ground black pepper, garlic, quinoa rotelle, balsamic vinegar, Parmesan

Calories: 450

Try this recipe: Roasted Garlic, Artichoke, and Asparagus Pasta