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    Home » Keto Side Dishes » Hearts of Palm Pasta

    Hearts of Palm Pasta

    Last updated: Jul 1, 2023 · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

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    If you're looking for low-carb pasta alternatives, hearts of palm pasta is an excellent option.

    Ready in about 20 minutes, it's closer in flavor and texture to wheat pasta than many other alternatives. It's really good!

    Hearts of palm pasta served on a white plate with a fork.

    I regularly make quite a few pasta alternatives for my family. Our favorites are zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash noodles, shirataki noodles, and shirataki sesame noodles.

    While all those recipes are excellent, hearts of palm pasta is especially good. When cooked according to the method outlined here, it is closer to the experience of eating authentic spaghetti than the other options. It's delicious!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Variations
    • Instructions
    • Expert Tip
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Storing Leftovers
    • More Pasta Recipes
    • Recipe Card

    Ingredients

    You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this 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:

    A box of Trader Joe's hearts of palm pasta.

    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.

    The ingredients needed to make hearts of palm pasta.

    Variations

    • You can use butter 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.
    • Ghee is another good substitute for olive oil. I love the nutty flavor it adds to the dish.
    • Sometimes I use dried thyme instead of oregano. I like both options.
    • Make this a complete meal by stirring in 1-2 cups of shredded cooked chicken when you add the pasta.
    • Add a handful of small cherry tomatoes. This makes the finished dish aesthetically pleasing.
    • Top the pasta with chopped basil leaves instead of parsley. I love the flavor it adds!

    Instructions

    Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here's an overview of the steps for making this recipe:

    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).

    A photo collage showing steps 1-4 for cooking hearts of palm pasta.

    Remove from the heat. Top with parmesan, red pepper flakes, and chopped parsley. Serve immediately. (Photos 5-8).

    A photo collage showing steps 5-8 for cooking hearts of palm pasta.

    Expert Tip

    When cooking the garlic, cook until 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 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, brown it in a separate skillet, and then add it to the noodles.

    So if this happens to you, you'll know what to do!

    Recipe FAQs

    What are hearts of palm?

    Hearts of palm are a type of vegetable that comes from the core or "heart" of young palm trees. They have a cylindrical shape. They are delicate, mild, and crisp. You can buy whole canned hearts of palm, chop them, and add them to salads. Whole and sliced hearts of palm on a white plate.

    What does this pasta taste like?

    This pasta is 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.

    Is it like real pasta?

    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.

    Can I use minced garlic?

    You could, but garlic slices are better in this recipe. If you opt for minced garlic, make sure to mince the garlic yourself - don't use the stuff that comes in a jar. It's not as good, and the difference will be noticeable in this recipe.

    Is this pasta similar to zoodles?

    I think it's actually better than zucchini noodles! Those tend to be a bit flimsy and watery. This pasta is firmer and sturdier and more closely resemble real noodles.

    Serving Suggestions

    This pasta makes a great side dish. Or, as mentioned above, you can turn it into a main course by adding shredded cooked chicken.

    When I serve it as a side dish, I often arrange it on a plate, then top it with slices of grilled chicken breast, grilled skirt steak, or pork medallions. A cucumber tomato salad or a simple arugula salad rounds out the meal.

    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.

    Hearts of palm pasta served with grated parmesan cheese.

    More Pasta Recipes

    • Spaghetti squash noodles served with a fork.
      Spaghetti Squash Noodles
    • Zucchini noodles piled on a white plate.
      Zucchini Noodles
    • Shirataki noodles are served on a white plate with a fork.
      Buttered Shirataki Noodles
    • Shirataki sesame noodles served with chopsticks.
      Shirataki Sesame Noodles

    Recipe Card

    Hearts of palm pasta served on a white plate with a fork.
    4.98 from 47 votes
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    Hearts of Palm Pasta Recipe

    This hearts of palm pasta, made with olive oil, garlic, and parmesan, is surprisingly close to the real thing.
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time10 minutes mins
    Total Time20 minutes mins
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: Italian
    Diet: Gluten Free
    Servings: 2 servings
    Calories: 331kcal
    Author: Vered DeLeeuw
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    Ingredients

    • ¼ cup olive oil extra-virgin
    • 4 garlic cloves thinly sliced
    • 1 (9 oz) package hearts of palm pasta I use the Trader Joe's pasta
    • ½ teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
    • ¼ cup parmesan dry-grated
    • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • 2 tablespoons parsley chopped

    Instructions

    • 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.
    • Add the pasta, salt, pepper, and oregano.
    • Cook, stirring often, until the pasta is heated through, for about 5 minutes.
    • Remove to a plate. Sprinkle with parmesan, red pepper flakes, and parsley. Serve immediately.

    Video

    Notes

    • 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 don't recommend using jarred minced garlic instead of fresh sliced garlic in this recipe. 
    • 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.

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    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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    DisclaimersMost of our recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate, and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read our Terms of Use carefully before using any of our recipes.

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    About the Author

    Vered Deleeuw Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

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    Healthy Recipes Blog was founded in 2011 by Vered DeLeeuw. It features real-food recipes with a focus on low-carb and gluten-free ingredients. All recipes are nutritionally reviewed by a Registered Dietitian. Contact us at HealthyRecipesBlog@gmail.com.


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