ComScore

Whoa, This Lower-Carb, Gluten-Free Pasta Has as Much Protein as Chicken

And it doesn't taste like cardboard

black bean pasta hero

Story of our life: We’re craving pasta, but we already had ravioli last night. And lasagna on Saturday. But thanks to Trader Joe’s Black Bean Rotini, pasta addicts no longer have to limit their intake to once or twice a week. Believe it or not, it’s perfectly healthy to eat this low-carb, gluten-free pasta every damn day. 

This magical stuff contains only one ingredient: organic black bean flour. And yes, we were skeptical, too. But after buying a bag (which is $2.99, not too shabby), boiling it like regular pasta and topping it with tomato sauce, we’re total converts.

Does it taste like regular wheat pasta? Not exactly—it has an earthier flavor and a slightly thicker consistency. But it’s not gummy like rice pasta, and it doesn’t have that dry cardboard taste like the whole-wheat kind. In fact, it’s the best “healthy” pasta we’ve tried.

How healthy is it? One serving has 14 grams of protein and 15 grams of fiber—that’s more than twice the protein and seven times more fiber than white pasta. And while traditional pasta has around 43 grams of carbohydrates, a serving of the black bean rotini has about 30 grams. 

Now if you’ll excuse us, it’s pasta night (again).

This Eggplant Pizza Is Low-Carb, Gluten-Free and Ready in Under an Hour



screen shot 2020 05 14 at 6 31 35 pm

Freelance Editor

From 2015-2020 Lindsay Champion held the role of Food and Wellness Director. She continues to write for PureWow as a Freelance Editor.