Last updated on December 8th, 2023 at 01:51 pm
Healthy dinner swap your family won't even notice! Use Banza chickpea spaghetti and take the guilt out of spaghetti night. Banza chickpea spaghetti is a high protein, lower carb, gluten-free alternative to traditional pasta that tastes great. Keep reading for my tips on how to perfectly cook Banza spaghetti.
Spaghetti is such an easy weeknight dinner and usually what the kids request when you ask them if there's anything they'd like for dinner. Now that we use a high-protein plant-based pasta it's hard to say no.
This easy recipe was inspired by my other Banza chickpea recipes. Banza Chickpea Pasta Bake, Banza Penne and Italian Meatballs, & Air Fry Range Chicken Parmesan with Banza Spaghetti and Banza Cajun Chicken Pasta.
Ingredients
- 1 package Banza spaghetti
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Sea Salt
- Water
See the recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
To start bring about 8 cups of water to a boil over high heat. I recommend using a large stockpot so when the water foams it won't boil over and make a mess on the stovetop.
Next, add the whole box of pasta, a teaspoon of sea salt, and 1 Tablespoon of EVOO to the water and stir. This helps to reduce the foamy water slightly, prevent the pasta from sticking together while cooking and adds some flavor as well.
Reduce the heat but keep the water simmering for the entire cooking time.
Follow the package directions for how long to cook the pasta BUT I suggest using the least amount of time listed. For example, if the package says to boil for 8-10 minutes I'd cook the spaghetti for 8 minutes. I recommend this because gluten-free pasta will break or fall apart if it's overcooked but it's very much a personal preference. Taste the pasta at the 8-minute mark to see if it's to your desired firmness. You may need to experiment with this a little bit to suit your preference.
Tip: Strain and rinse with cool water to remove the foamy water but don't use cold water otherwise your spaghetti will be cold. After straining and rinsing you can add it back to the stockpot and toss it with a little bit of butter or EVOO.
How To Serve Banza Spaghetti
Banza spaghetti pairs well with homemade spaghetti sauce or a good quality marinara sauce. It can be served on its own or with Italian Meatballs, ground beef, or Italian Sausage. Garlic knots stuffed with cheese make a great side dish for spaghetti night too!
Variations
Banza chickpea spaghetti really can be used in any recipe that calls for traditional or whole wheat pasta.
- Marinara Sauce - instead use pesto, garlic butter or alfredo sauce.
- Deluxe- add shredded parmesan or mozzarella cheese and fresh parsley on top.
- Spaghetti-if you prefer another variety of long cut pasta try Banza linguine, or angel hair pasta.
Family Favorite 30-Minute Meals
Equipment
Storage
Store the leftover pasta separately from the pasta sauce. If you like to make extra to meal prep be sure to toss the pasta with EVOO after cooking so it doesn't stick together
Banza Chickpea Spaghetti
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Banza Spaghetti box
- 1 teaspoon Sea Salt
- 1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 24 oz. Spaghetti Sauce Marinara or quart jar of homemade
Instructions
- To start bring about 8 cups of water to a boil over high heat. (I recommend using a large stockpot so when the water foams it won't boil over and make a mess on the stovetop.)
- Next, add the whole box of pasta, ½ of a teaspoon of sea salt, a Tbsp. of EVOO to the water, and stir. (This helps to reduce the foamy water slightly, prevent the pasta from sticking together while cooking, and adds some flavor as well.)
- Reduce the heat but keep the water simmering for the entire cooking time.
- Follow the package directions for how long to cook the pasta BUT I suggest
using the least amount of time listed. (For example, if the package says to boil for 8-10 minutes I'd cook the spaghetti for 8 minutes. I recommend this because gluten-free pasta will break or fall apart if it's overcooked but it's very much a personal preference.) - Taste test the pasta at the 8-minute mark to see if it's to your desired firmness. You may need to experiment with this a little bit to
suit your preference. - Strain and rinse the pasta with cool water to remove the foamy water but don't use cold water otherwise your spaghetti will be cold.
- After straining and rinsing you can add it back to the stockpot and toss it with a little bit of butter or EVOO.
- Top with homemade spaghetti sauce or marinara, parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.
Notes
Nutrition
Yes! Banza is a healthy pasta alternative. Chickpea pasta has twice the protein, three times the fiber and 30% less fewer net carbs than traditional pasta. Banza is gluten-free, non GMO, and a low glycemic index food. Chickpea pasta is a healthier alternative to traditional pasta.
Banza chickpea pasta can be used in any recipe you'd use traditional pasta for. Banza Chickpea Pasta Bake, Banza Penne & Italian Meatballs, and pairs perfectly with Air Fry Range Chicken Parmesan and homemade spaghetti sauce.
judith dean says
It's wonderful 😊
Lacy says
Can you bake chickpea pasta? Or will it get mushy
Amber says
I do bake the penne pasta in the pasta bake recipe but I don't cook it all the way so that it does not fall apart after being baked.