I Can’t Believe It’s Not Pasta!
Really, I can’t believe it!
There’s tons of hype about spaghetti squash these days, but I found out the hard way that I’m extremely allergic. After the allergy incident, I was determined to find a light healthy veggie pasta alternative. I’m pretty proud of this one!
This is an excellent pasta alternative for someone who is looking for something light and healthy, gluten free, low carb, vegan (without the cheese), or someone who is simply looking for a tasty way to incorporate more veggies into their diet. Also a huge plus for mommies who want to disguise more veggies in their kids meals!
So what’s the secret noodle?
Broccoli! Broccoli slaw to be exact.
What is broccoli slaw?
Broccoli slaw is made of raw shredded broccoli stalks. Sometimes you will see it in the grocery store mixed with shredded carrots and/or cabbage.
Sound too scary?
Give it a try by slowly incorporating the broccoli pasta into your regular pasta! Start with a larger ratio of pasta, and then each time you make it, try using more of the broccoli pasta.
Considered to be one of the most nutritious vegetables, broccoli offers us:
- High amount of potassium.
- Magnesium and calcium that help regulate blood pressure.
- One cup of broccoli contains the RDA of vitamin C, an antioxidant necessary for fighting against free radicals.
- Contains high levels of both calcium an vitamin K, which are important for bone health.
- High in fiber, which aids in digestion and helps to make us feel full and prevent overeating.
- Trace minerals, such as zinc and selenium that act to strengthen the immune system.
Now that you’ve met your new friend broccoli, let’s make some “pasta!”
I Can’t Believe It’s Not pasta!
Serves 1
2 cups raw broccoli slaw
1/4 cup organic tomato/marinara sauce
1/4 cup chopped yellow onion
1/4 cup shaved parmesan cheese
1 tbsp olive oil
Place olive oil and chopped onions in a skillet over medium/high heat. Cook the onions until they become translucent. Add the broccoli slaw to the same pan and sauté for about 5 mins, tossing frequently. Add the tomato sauce to the pan and stir until evenly coated and heated. Transfer the “pasta” to a bowl and top with parmesan cheese.
Note: You want the broccoli slaw to get soft, but not mushy. “Al dente” is probably the best description!
The Rabbit Food Pyramid Breakdown
Produce: broccoli, onions, and tomato sauce
Whole Grain: –
Protein: parmesan cheese
Plant Based Fat: olive oil
Grace T
June 7, 2013 at 5:13 pm (11 years ago)Awesome! I’m trying to get a starch intolerance under control and it has been miserable. Lots of pureed cauliflower to get that mashed comfort feeling but never thought to shred brocoli as pasta alternative! Whoohoo!
Catherine
June 7, 2013 at 5:34 pm (11 years ago)Hi Grace! I missed hearing from you! 🙂
I’m so excited ro you to try this! xo
hillary
June 7, 2013 at 5:15 pm (11 years ago)Yummy! I hope I can find broccoli slaw, that looks delicious. I’ve been looking for pasta alternatives and love spaghetti squash. Its a shame your allergic!
Catherine
June 7, 2013 at 5:37 pm (11 years ago)Ugh, I know! I LOVE squash 🙁
I got my broccoli slaw from Trader Joes! It had a minimal amount of shredded carrot in it but I was able to remove it (I’m sure it would taste just as good with the carrots haha). Dole makes broccoli slaw and they have a store locator on their website that might help! http://www.dolesalads.com/Store-Locator.aspx?category=2&item-code=DC6BSL I’ve also heard that most grocery stores and Walmart carry broccoli slaw!
Emily
June 7, 2013 at 5:19 pm (11 years ago)I’m always on the hunt for a low carb (or no carb) pasta alternative because pasta is my favorite food! I’m definitely going to try this one! Can you buy broccoli slaw at most grocery stores?
Catherine
June 7, 2013 at 5:37 pm (11 years ago)Yayyyy, I can’t wait for you to try it! I got my broccoli slaw from Trader Joes! Dole makes broccoli slaw and they have a store locator on their website that might help! http://www.dolesalads.com/Store-Locator.aspx?category=2&item-code=DC6BSL I’ve also heard that most grocery stores and Walmart carry broccoli slaw!
Nicole
June 7, 2013 at 6:48 pm (11 years ago)Perfect! Just in time for my weekly meal planning. Thank you!
Cassie Blackwelder
June 8, 2013 at 4:59 am (11 years ago)My step class instructor was just telling me about a low carb diet from a book called “It Starts With Food”. I am excited to try this! But I will have to wrestle the broccoli stalk away from my Pom. He loves them!
Katherine
June 8, 2013 at 7:48 am (11 years ago)could you not just shred up your own broccoli stalks? 🙂
I will have to try this myself sometime! I love broccoli.
Hannah @ Mindrunningwild
June 8, 2013 at 3:35 pm (11 years ago)I love doing this!! I actually used cole slaw mix tonight- about 2 cups of cole slaw mix with a bit of nutritional yeast, balsamic vinegar, and homemade tomato sauce put in the pan like you did yours. It’s perfect and has a really delicious flavor!
LizSeeksChic.com
June 8, 2013 at 7:35 pm (11 years ago)Yum! Love broccoli slaw.
Lindsay
June 10, 2013 at 8:34 am (11 years ago)What a fabulous idea! As a vegetarian married to a carnivore, I’ve been looking for ways to sneak more veggies into his meals. He’s pretty picky, but he loves broccoli!
Catherine
June 10, 2013 at 12:44 pm (11 years ago)Haha You have to let me know what he thinks! xo
Annie @ www.lovelaughrun.com
June 10, 2013 at 8:40 am (11 years ago)I’m obsessed with broccoli slaw! Although I have never used it for a pasta replacement…I will now!
Catherine
June 10, 2013 at 12:45 pm (11 years ago)Yayyy!!! Love finding new uses for fav foods 🙂
Jenny T
June 19, 2013 at 9:05 am (11 years ago)I just tried this and it was really good! Thanks for the suggestion. Very easy and a great substitution! Next time I might use my spiral slicer to add carrot. I bet zucchini would be good too!
KYFG Poweryoga
June 22, 2013 at 3:56 am (11 years ago)I practice yoga for 30 minutes daily. This has helped me in increasing my immunity level and building overall muscle strength. Yoga made my body toned, have increased stamina and above all I have stopped worrying about things in life. I would any day recommend yoga to people looking for variety in their exercise routine.
Trish
August 13, 2013 at 3:10 pm (11 years ago)Well done! I eat broccoli slaw all the time and never would have thought to do this! YUM =)
Erik
December 31, 2013 at 12:10 am (11 years ago)You can also just steam some bite-sized broccoli crowns and put pasta sauce on ’em directly. Super fast and filling, and no need to hunt down shredded broccoli stalks.
Tammy walker
July 26, 2015 at 2:37 pm (9 years ago)Do you have a spiralizer? You can make zucchini noodles. Love your site. Just found it today. ?