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!
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!
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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:
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
- 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).
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 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
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. 
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.
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, 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.
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.
More Pasta Recipes
Recipe Card
Hearts of Palm Pasta Recipe
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.
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition per Serving
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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. 
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