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Gluten-Free Pasta With Spicy Marinara Sauce – Lower Calorie

Gluten-free pasta with spicy marinara sauce is a healthier version to your even day pasta meal. Comfort food with healthy ingredients.

When it comes to comfort food, pasta is at the top of my list. Pasta is such a versatile dish with many different types of sauces and ingredients pairing nicely with it. My all-time favorite type of pasta sauce is marinara which is the sauce I made here. Marinara with a kick!

Since I enjoy spicy food, I made this sauce spicy, but the spice level can be brought down to zero if that is the preference too. I use red pepper flakes to kick up the spice in this sauce, so less can be added, or none at all. The sauce will taste delicious regardless. I also use a gluten-free pasta which makes this dish completely gluten-free.

What are the benefits of eating marinara sauce?

Marinara is a simple, tomato-based sauce. It’s lower in calories per serving than other types of pasta sauces like pesto and Alfredo. Most tomato-based sauces are low in saturated fat, cholesterol-free and packed with lycopene.

To make the sauce, I dice up onion, green pepper, and garlic cloves and sauté them in a pan heated with olive oil. I sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are soft. Once the vegetables are soft, I add in a jar of marinara sauce and the seasonings, and let simmer for about 15 minutes. When adding in the seasonings, adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your liking. I add a healthy amount, but half the amount, or none can be added as well.

 Let the sauce simmer for about 15 minutes. While the sauce is simmering, cook the pasta according to the package directions. I use Banza bowtie pasta, but any pasta works. Once the pasta is cooked and drained, add to the sauce and toss well. You can also plate the pasta, and add a scoop of sauce to the top as well. I recommend serving immediately while the pasta is still warm.

How do you keep gluten-free pasta from sticking together?

As soon as you drop the pasta into boiling water, stir it. Keep stirring until the pasta no longer settles to the bottom of the pot. Serve immediately after draining cooked pasta from water.

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Ingredients for Gluten-Free Pasta With Spicy Marinara Sauce

• Gluten-free pasta (like Banza)
• Marinara sauce
• Olive oil
• Yellow onion
• Green bell pepper
• Garlic cloves
• Dried basil
• Dried oregano
• Italian seasoning
• Red pepper flakes

Calories per serving (1 1/2 cup): 365

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5 from 12 votes

Gluten-Free Pasta With Spicy Marinara Sauce - Lower Calorie

Gluten-free pasta with spicy marinara sauce is a healthier version to your even day pasta meal. Comfort food with healthy ingredients.

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time30 mins

Total Time45 mins

Course: Dinner

Keyword: gluten free, low calorie food option, marinara sauce, pasta dish

Calories: 365kcal

Author: simplylowcal

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves, garlic, minced
• 24 oz jar marinara sauce Any brand
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 2 tbsp red pepper flakes
• 8 oz bowtie gluten-free pasta I used Banza brand

Instructions

• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Saute the onion and bell pepper until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and saute for another minute.
• Pour in the marinara sauce and seasonings, stir well. Cover and let simmer for 15 minutes.
• While sauce is simmering, cook pasta according to package directions. Serve pasta warm with marinara sauce.

Notes

• Top with Parmesan cheese, if desired. 

 

• Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

 

Nutrition

Serving: 4g | Calories: 365kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 662mg | Potassium: 66mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 46mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 32mg

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Enjoy!

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