Do Vegans Eat Pasta? Is Pasta Vegan?

Do vegans eat pasta?

Many people are converting into vegans, but they are mostly confused about what one can eat as a vegan and what one cannot. People especially get puzzled when it comes to spaghetti and macaroni, as they can either be totally animal-free or made with animal products like eggs. So we are here to explain to you whether pasta is vegan or non-vegan, and you will also find it easy to choose which pasta is vegan and which is not.

Is pasta made from vegan ingredients?

There are pasta’s that are vegan and there are also some that are non-vegan, we can figure it out depending on how it is made. There are usually two types of pasta, fresh pasta and pasta secca also called dried pasta. Usually, fresh pasta is made and cooked using eggs, which makes it non-vegan. On the other hand, dried pasta is most;y made from animal-free ingredients which makes it vegan. If you want to make dry pasta at home it is better to double-check the packaging as it may turn out to be non-vegan.

How to prepare fresh pasta?

The usual ingredients of fresh pasta contain flour, water, eggs and salt. It is important to know that some fresh pasta can be made without eggs, by using oil instead of eggs. But most ingredients are likely to contain eggs rather than oil. Mix the flour and salt together in a mixing bowl and make a well in the middle of the flour. Normally, eggs are added to the flour well and they are cracked right in the centre of the well. You should mix the flour and oil properly until a dough is formed, one it is done, you can cut the dough into any shape of your choice.

How to prepare dried pasta(pasta secca)?

The majority of dried pasta is vegan and is made mainly from just two ingredients. The dried pasta that you buy from supermarkets contains just flour and semolina. Semolina is a powder obtained from durum wheat, and it is first mixed with water. This mixture obtained is then processed in bulk quantities by machines which creates a dough. Cut the dough into pasta moulds to get the shape of your choice.

Some alternatives to pasta:

1. Spaghetti Squash

This is one of the best alternatives to pasta and originated in North and Central America. It has yellow-orange flesh that can be separated after cooking, it is separated with a fork into strings which resembles spaghetti. Spaghetti squash at 6.5 grams of carbs at 3.5 ounces contains about 20% of the carbs you would gain at the same quantity of pasta. It is also rich in vitamin A, C, E, K and most vitamin B. To cook it, you need to prick the squash at several places using a fork, then bake it at around 180-degree celsius. It can also be boiled for 20 minutes or sliced in half and microwaved on high for 6 to 8 minutes. Once it is ready, use a fork and separate the flesh into spaghetti-like strings and top it with sauce.

2. Spiralized Vegetables

These vegetables provide an easy and attractive way to add more vegetables to your diet, and over the few years, it has taken the culinary world by storm. These vegetables are those that are sliced using a spiralizer, which is a kitchen device used to cut vegetables into long strips. There is a list of vegetables that can be spiralized but the most common are zucchini, turnips, carrots, beets and cucumbers. These vegetables are not only 3 to 10 times lower in carbs than pasta, these vegetables are a great source of fibre, vitamins and minerals. If you add more vegetables to your diet it can vastly benefit you and also reduce your risk of many diseases including diabetes, heart diseases and even certain types of cancers. It can also help in losing weight. To prepare this dish, you will need a spiralizer or you can use a vegetable peeler as an alternative. Peeling the vegetables is a bad idea as most nutrients are stored in the peel of vegetables. You can eat them cold or warm but if you want them warm, toss the vegetables in noodle shape in boiling water for 3 to 5 minutes until cooked but it should still remain firm. If you overcook the vegetables they will lose their crunch.

3. Eggplant Lasagna

It is also called aubergine and it originates from India. Botanically it is considered a berry but it is most commonly consumed as a vegetable. A serving of 100 grams of eggplant contains about 9 grams of carbohydrates, which is around 3.5 times lesser carbohydrates than the same quantity of pasta. It is a great source of fibre, vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin K, thiamine and manganese. To cook this recipe, you need to start cutting the nightshade lengthwise into thin slices. After cutting, brush both sides with oil and roast the slices until they get soft and golden, you need to turn them only once. While making lasagna instead of using pasta use these roasted eggplant slices. It is up to you to roast the slices or not, you can also use raw slices if you love moist food.

4. Cauliflower Couscous

Cauliflower is commonly used as a replacement for rice, but we can also use it to replace couscous. Cauliflower is a vegetable with many health benefits that include a lower risk of certain cancers. It has low carbohydrates and is rich in fibre, folate and vitamins C, E and K. Per 100 grams of cauliflower contains 4 grams of carbs which is 13% as much as pasta. To prepare this dish, you need to break the cauliflower and put the florets through a food processor and grate them into pieces until they are about the size of rice. It is best to use the pulse function as you do not want it to over-blend. Use little oil in a large skillet and saute it for 1 to 2 minutes. Then you need to cover it with a lid and cook for another 5 to 8 minutes, or until it gets tender. The end product that we obtain can be used as couscous in different recipes.

Do Vegans Eat Pasta? Is Pasta Vegan?