Carrotucine Aglio e Olio is a perfect option for a quick, healthy meal with minimal prep and cooking time, offering the same satisfaction as pasta without the carbs. Plus, it’s fresher and more nutritious, making it a winning choice for anyone following a keto or low-carb lifestyle. Don’t speak Italian? Aglio e Olio is a simple pasta style meaning “with garlic and oil”. Spaghetti aglio e olio for example is a typical pasta dish that you can have in the city of Naples, Italy made popular due to how cheap, simple and easy it is to prepare.
Quick and healthy pasta alternative:
Carrotucine is incredibly quick to prepare compared to other keto pasta substitutes like zucchini noodles (zoodles) or almond flour-based pasta (which do have their place, don’t get me wrong). Unlike zoodles, which often require a spiralizer and time to drain excess moisture, or keto pasta, which can involve mixing dough and shaping noodles, carrotucine takes only minutes. Simply peel, sauté, and you’re ready to serve in about 10 minutes.
No special equipment is required to make carrotucine. If you want a quick al-dente pasta dish with the added bonus of one of the highest amounts of Vitamin A in any one food, this carrot pasta is your answer. Half cup of carrots can provide up to a whopping 73% of your daily requirements of Vitamin A! While many keto pasta alternatives need special tools (like spiralizers or pasta presses), carrotucine requires just a vegetable peeler. This makes it not only quicker but also accessible to anyone, no matter their kitchen setup.
Compared to other keto pasta recipes that call for almond flour, eggs, xanthan gum, or psyllium husk, or even calcium and alginate (honestly worth making if you have the time) carrotucine uses just fresh carrots and common pantry items like olive oil and garlic. The carrots cook in just 2-4 minutes, much faster than the time it takes to boil traditional or keto pasta. So it is great if you’re in a hurry and super delicious!
Recipe
Serves: 2
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
- 4 large carrots, peeled into long ribbons (use a vegetable peeler or mandoline)
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Juice of ½ lemon (optional)
- 1 tsp of fresh rosemary, finely chopped (optional)
- ¼ cup roasted pine nuts (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Grated parmesan or nutritional yeast for vegan option (optional)
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Carrots:
Peel the carrots into long ribbons, mimicking the shape of fettuccine. This step is quick and simple with a vegetable peeler or mandoline and takes less than 5 minutes. -
Cook the Garlic:
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced garlic (and red pepper flakes if you want the peppery kick). Sauté for about 2 minutes, or until the garlic is golden but not burnt. -
Add the Carrotucine:
Add the carrot ribbons to the skillet, gently tossing to coat them in the garlic and oil mixture. Cook for 2-4 minutes, or until the carrots are just tender but still have a bit of bite. -
Season:
Add lemon juice if desired, and salt, and pepper to taste. Stir well to combine. -
Garnish:
Remove from heat and toss in chopped rosemary and roasted pine nuts. If using, sprinkle with grated parmesan or nutritional yeast for a cheesy finish. -
Serve:
Plate the carrotucine warm and drizzle with a little more olive oil if desired. Enjoy!
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: ~330 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 6g
- Sugar: 9g
- Protein: 2.5g
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 4g


