If you’re looking for low-carb pasta alternatives, Hearts of Palm pasta is a great option.
Ready in about 20 minutes, it’s closer in flavor and texture to the real thing than several other alternatives. It’s really good!
I’ve been eating a low-carb diet for about 12 years now, and for the most part, I no longer search for substitutions for my high-carb favorites. I simply enjoy the wide variety of foods that are available to me, including meats, poultry, seafood, and vegetables.
Having said that, on occasion, it IS fun to revisit old favorites, and this pasta is a wonderful tool for those of us who miss noodles and would like to recreate the experience while keeping it low-carb.
When cooked according to the method outlined here, it does mimic the experience of eating spaghetti. And it’s delicious!
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Ingredients
You’ll only need a few simple ingredients to make this easy recipe. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here’s an overview of what you’ll need:
Hearts of Palm pasta: I get it at Trader Joe’s:
Olive oil: I prefer using extra-virgin olive oil in this recipe.
Garlic: I slice it into thin slices.
To season: Salt, pepper, and dried oregano.
To finish the dish: Grated parmesan, red pepper flakes, and chopped parsley.
Variations
- Use butter or ghee instead of olive oil. If you do, you should use 3 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon of oil, to help prevent the butter from burning.
- Use dried thyme instead of dried oregano. I like both options.
- Make this a complete meal by stirring in 1-2 cups of shredded cooked chicken together with the pasta.
- Add a handful of small cherry tomatoes. This makes the finished dish more aesthetically pleasing.
- Top the dish with chopped basil leaves instead of parsley. I love the flavor it adds.
Instructions
It’s easy to make this tasty pasta! Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here’s an overview of the steps:
You start by peeling the garlic cloves and thinly slicing them.
Next, brown them in olive oil, taking care not to burn them. (Photos 1-2).
As soon as the garlic is golden, add the noodles, salt, pepper, and oregano. Cook, stirring, over medium heat, for about 5 minutes. (Photos 3-4).
Remove from the heat. Top with parmesan, red pepper flakes, and chopped parsley. Serve immediately. (Photos 5-8).
Expert Tip
When cooking the garlic, cook it until it’s golden brown, then add the noodles. Garlic tends to go from golden to burnt pretty fast, so be vigilant.
I usually get it right, but today I actually added the noodles when the garlic was too pale. Once you add the pasta, the garlic has less contact with the pan, so it stops browning. I had to remove it and brown it in a separate skillet, then add it back to the noodles.
Recipe FAQs
It’s literally made from hearts of palm, so if you eat it straight out of the bag, that’s what it tastes like. However, since its flavor is mild, once you cook it with other ingredients, it takes on those flavors.
Not exactly. It’s a similar experience for sure, especially the flavor and the experience of eating noodles. However, the texture is different than that of real pasta. It’s a little chewy.
You could, in which case you’ll probably need to cook it for a shorter time. But slices are better in this recipe.
Either way, make sure to mince the garlic yourself – don’t use the stuff that comes in a jar. It’s not as good, and in this recipe, the difference will be noticeable.
I think it’s actually better than zucchini noodles! Those tend to be a bit flimsy and watery. These are firmer and sturdier and more closely resemble real noodles.
Serving Suggestions
Storing Leftovers
You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 2-3 days. Reheat them gently in the microwave at 50% power.
Recipe Card
Hearts of Palm Pasta
Hearts of palm pasta with lots of olive oil, garlic, and parmesan is surprisingly close to the real thing.
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 331kcal
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Instructions
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Heat the olive oil in a large 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic slices. Cook, stirring often, until golden, about 4 minutes.
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Add the pasta, salt, pepper, and oregano.
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Cook, stirring often, until the pasta is heated through, about 5 minutes.
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Remove to a plate. Sprinkle with parmesan, red pepper flakes, and parsley. Serve immediately.
Notes
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition per Serving
Serving: 0.5recipe | Calories: 331kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Sodium: 488mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g
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