Black Bean Pasta – The Most Amazing Noodle Substitute EVER
You know those moments in life where you experience something for the first time and you’re like, “How in the world did I ever live without this?!”
Some examples: the first time you fell in love, the first time you got a bikini wax (after the initial pain of course), the first time you tried a Victoria’s Secret push-up bra – Oh, hello! Where did you two come from?
As only a healthy foodie might understand, trying black bean pasta was one of those moments for me.
At the Natural Foods Expo West a few months ago, I had my first run-in with this miracle food.
Black Bean Pasta is exactly what you’d think it was, spaghetti noodles made from black beans. That’s it.
No add-ins, preservatives, nothing – just black beans. Seriously.
When I tried them at the expo, they were mixed with heavy cream and curry sauce, and they tasted fantastic — as you would expect of anything drenched in a delicious curry cream. I was skeptical though if that same orgasmic experience would transfer when I whipped them up in my own kitchen with a simple, healthy marinara.
Well, it did.
The noodles were the perfect chewy, but not rubbery, consistency. They really don’t taste like anything, just like regular wheat and brown rice pasta, making them the perfect vehicle for your sauce.
And believe me, if you’ve eaten slimy, fishy Shirataki Noodles, then you know that bland is best for pasta. I really don’t want to smell the ocean when I’m munching on macaroni.
The most impressive part about these noodles though is their nutritional content.
I’m just speaking about the brand I used, but I’m sure all pure black bean pasta is about the same.
One 2 oz serving (the same size as traditional wheat pasta) contains 12 grams of fiber, 36 % of your RDA of iron, and 25 grams of protein — holy peptide!
All that for only 180 calories.
Black bean pasta is a wonderful source of plant-based protein and it’s obviously gluten-free. The beans’ high fiber content helps with digestion, and because it’s digested slowly, it keeps you fuller longer, which has been shown to help with weight loss.
It has a low sugar content, so it doesn’t spike your glucose levels, making it a great choice for people with diabetes. Black beans are also on the list of the top 40 foods with the highest antioxidant content.
In addition to all that amazing stuff, researchers think black beans may also play a large role in heart health, promoting antihypertensive properties.
So yeah, black beans are pretty much the bomb.
Want to reap all these amazing benefits? Grab a bag of black bean pasta and try the easiest recipe ever.
I whipped up this simple dinner in about 10 minutes using Uncle Steve’s Tomato Basil Sauce — my new favorite organic pasta sauce. It was positively scrumptious.
- 2 oz black bean spaghetti
- ½ cup Uncle Steve's tomato basil sauce
- 1 handful spinach
- 1 tablespoon parmesan cheese (optional)
- Boil pasta according to directions.
- Pour out water. Stir in sauce and spinach. Top with parm.
- Enjoy!
Note: I did not receive these noodles for free, I’m just an obsessed fan.
I did receive the pasta sauce; however, I was not compensated for it. Again, I’m just totally obsessed with the delicious simplicity of this tomato sauce.
Uncle Steve’s, which was created by former Sopranos‘ star Steve Schirripa, is made solely from organic tomatoes, onions, extra virgin olive oil, basil, garlic, salt and pepper. No sugar, 60 cals a serving, it’s amazing.
Happy Meatless Monday!
Looking for more alternatives to regular pasta? Try these:
Gluten-Free Soba Noodles + Orange Ginger Salmon
Cheesy, Creamy Avocado Pasta aka “Zoodles”
Spaghetti Squash Spicy Peanut Pad Thai
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Weigh-in: Have you ever tried black bean pasta? What’s the strangest spaghetti substitute you’ve tried?
Linda @ Fit Fed and Happy says:
Did it taste like eating black beans? Those noodles look very unique!
Whitney English says:
It did I guess…in the way that black beans don’t really taste like anything. Pretty bland, in a good way!
Carol says:
Linda, its a WONDERFUL pasta and even my very PICKY eater son, devoured it, lol. Doesn’t taste like black beans at all to me and we had a homemade tomatoe sauce and meatballs on top, just amazing.
Kris says:
Unsure why 140p mg sodium as are totally tasteless and like tofu is a blanks slate. Was surprised as ssaltythey are not though i realize not all high sodium foods taste salty
Julie says:
Thanks for introducing this to me! I cannot wait to try it!
Whitney English says:
You’re welcome! Let me know what you think.
Shelbye says:
I have to try this! It looks amazing <3 love your page
Whitney English says:
Thanks Shelbye!
Ellen says:
Ooh ooh ooh I want to try it!
Whitney English says:
You should! Let me know what you think.
GiselleR @ Diary of an ExSloth says:
Holy peptide haha; you’re inner chem nerd is showing Whitney.
I really want to try black bean spaghetti since I’m all about black bean everything.
It’s on my list of things to hunt for when I have time at the grocery/health foods store.
Thanks for sharing!
GiselleR @ Diary of an ExSloth says:
your*
My grammar diva wouldn’t let me leave it alone :oops:
Whitney English says:
Haha is it?! Perhaps I should stop wearing my lab coat around town ;)
You’re going to love these!
ann says:
I put sweet corn and green salsa on mine-delicious!
noname says:
holland and barrett sell these
Joy says:
I actually found them at my local Aldi’s. Organic non GMO and cheap! I was so excited!!!
Katie says:
I had never heard of this before. Need to try ASAP! Where can you buy it? Whole Foods?
Whitney English says:
Yes, Whole Foods it the only grocery store I found them at but they’re also available online. Link in the text above!
Carol S. says:
I bought them at Costco. They are delicious!!
Diane says:
In the Boston area (Watertown) you can also get the small bags at Stop and Shop. Whole Foods only sells the small bags, too. We originally found them in a huge box at Costco, though they only had them for a short time. Now we buy the big boxes online and stock up to get free shipping. It’s much cheaper than either S+S or WF.
We make a big colorful stir fry and then throw in the cooked pasta with whatever stir fry sauce we want.
Do you have more recipes for these? (Explore Asian only has 2 recipes on their website with the b.b. pasta – one of which is that coconut cream red curry you mentioned.
We find their edamame noodles are firmer and hold up better to a thick veggie (onion, spinach, mushroom, etc.) pasta sauce, but YMMV.
David G says:
I got mine at Trader Joe’s. Excellent!!
Tara says:
Publix in Florida has them in the organic aisle!
amy black says:
You crack me up!!! I need to try these! Looks so yummy!!
Whitney English says:
Thanks girl :)
Kim says:
Well I love black beans so I think I would really like this pasta!!!
Whitney English says:
You definitely will then!
Bethann Wagner says:
I had no idea this existed and I’ve been gluten free for what feels like forever! I have to try this especially since you compared it to the love of bikini waxes which you know I am obsessed with!
Whitney English says:
Haha yeah, it’s THAT good!
Dale Janee says:
Lol about the VS push-up bra. I learned that one in high school. ;) This pasta looks really good and I’m willing to try any dish with noodles at least once.
Thanks for sharing Whitney!
xoDale
Whitney English says:
You won’t be disappointed!
Karen @ Kama Fitness says:
HA! Love the VC comment, Hello girlies! ;) I’ve never tried this pasta because I have yet to find it! I need to go to whole foods immediately!! lol!
Whitney English says:
Haha, yeah I knew most of ladies would know what I was talking about ;)
The only place I’ve found the pasta was at Whole Foods. There’s a link in this article to buy them on Amazon too. xo
Carol S. says:
I bought them at Costco. They are delicious!!!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says:
I’ve got to look for this it looks so good. Perhaps I can even trick my family into eating it too!
Whitney English says:
You totally can! I gave it to some visiting relatives and they had no idea it was made of black beans!
Arman @ thebigmansworld says:
Haha when I first saw the title I was praying it wouldn;t be those gross slime noodles with 0 calories…..those are lies.
I LOVE these noodles- I tried them a while back and they taste pretty spot on! Have you tried the mung bean one? That isn’t too bad either!
Whitney English says:
Ewwww no! I used to tell myself that those things were edible and even posted about them on here a couple of years ago but let’s be honest, they’re not. They’re super gross.
I haven’t tried the mung bean ones but you’ve piqued my interest. Trying those next, thanks Arman!
Tara says:
I must try this when I move in to my place….It looks delicious ! The noodles look a little “iffy” and scary when boiling but the final result turns out nicely, LOL x
Whitney English says:
It’s great I promise!
jwoolman says:
Will definitely need to look for these. I “collect” wheat-free pasta since I do better with variety. I have rice/millet, rice/buckwheat, corn, corn/rice, quinoa/rice, etc. for years I’ve bought 100% buckwheat soba noodles and recently got buckwheat/sweet potato noodles. If you like beans and aren’t salt sensitive- look for Beanfield’s Bean&Rice chips. They use black beans with others. 4 grams protein and 4 grams fiber per serving. And very tasty, not like rocks as some other bean chips are. Simple ingredients. Includes vegan cheesy versions.
Whitney English says:
Thanks for the rec! I’ll definitely check those chips out.
Holly says:
I just found these a few weeks ago along with mung bean pasta from the same brand….most incredible discovery yet! I find that I don’t feel full after eating regular pasta and that I just crave more later because of the the refined carb content. I really enjoy making fettuccine Alfredo with a cauliflower-based sauce on the mung bean noodles (which have that same blandness that’s great about the black bean noodles). And yes, shirataki noodles are gross. I could only tolerate them smothered in sauce or in a strong broth at high temperatures.
Anon says:
Hey.. I just bought this same brand of black bean pasta at Costco on Friday!
Whitney English says:
Nice – I didn’t know they sold it there!
Melissa says:
I love these noodles. I will never eat any other kind ever again! When I’m in a rush or just too hungry to prepare very much. I boil the pasta and throw in some butter and parmesean cheese. Quick and satisfying :)
Anonymous says:
I see that they are manufactured in China, along with the other pastas in this brand’s line. Do I need to be concerned?
Whitney @ To Live & Diet in L.A. says:
I don’t think so. Why would that be a concern?
Anonymous says:
Have you ever researched the conditions in China, and the dangerous, deadly products that have been exported to the USA? For starters, pet food that killed many innocent animals. Children’s toys. Yes, I am very concerned. We should all educate ourselves and check labels for manufacturer origin.
Dave says:
‘The bomb’ is right … definitely gives the old sphincter a workout! :o)
Sylvia says:
Wow!! @Whitney! You black bean pasta picture seems me so delicious..This is a mouth watering dish..Thanks for sharing this recipe above with ingredients and proper detail..Must say..I like your lovely post dear..Absolutely, worth to share!! I will definitely make this black bean pasta form my kids and husband..:)
Kim Rebelo says:
Hello, I just tried this today with my own homemade marinara sauce and they are amazing. My question is about the calories – It says 2 ounces for 180 calories, is that uncooked?
Whitney English says:
Yes, I believe that is uncooked. It’s usually 1/4 of the package.
Kz says:
Our walmart sells black bean pasta!
Mallory Bean says:
Just discovered black bean pasta! I cannot believe how healthy and tasty they are. The amount of protein is crazy and you get a lot of pasta per serving :)
Whitney E. RD says:
It really is! Just goes to show that plants can absolutely provide as much protein as animals!
Jade says:
Looks like all the black bean noodles are made from black soy beans. I cannot eat soy. Does anyone know if there is a brand that is actually made out or black beans?
Mark says:
I’ve been looking for the same thing, but it looks like the answer is no. There’s some pastas made from mung beans, but the macro composition is very different (about 2 parts carbs to 1 part protein, so still better than pasta, but not as good as black bean spaghetti)
Mark says:
I too love black bean spaghetti, but I have to correct an error you made. These noodles are NOT made from black beans (those links you gave were interesting, but about a completely different bean). These are in fact black SOYbeans, so essentially the same stuff that’s in tofu, tempeh, edamame etc. Great source of protein, but it’s an important distinction (especially for those people who cannot eat soy).
James says:
My wife purchased these. The only reason I ate them is that she purchased them out of love and thinking this was a healthier alternative to regular pasta. We all found the taste and the texture not something we care for. I’ll keep the wife. The pasta not so much.
Mrs. Y says:
Hello. Just happened upon your website. JUst fyi, are you aware the black beans used in Explore Spaghetti are black SOY beans? Written on the label.