# Best Protein Pasta > The best protein pasta on Amazon ranked per 2 oz dry serving on protein, fiber, net carbs, texture and cost per 25 g, with a gluten-free and legume protein note. - **URL**: https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-protein-pasta/ - **Updated**: 2026-11-09 - **Author**: [Best Protein Powder Editorial Team](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/authors/editorial-team/) - **Publisher**: [Best Protein Powder](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/) --- Protein pasta ranges from 10 g to 25 g per 2 oz dry serving, and the box rarely tells you that on the front. We ranked the main Amazon options on the Nutrition Facts panel: protein, fiber, net carbs, what buyers say about texture, and what each one costs per 25 g of protein. **How we rank:** We judge every powder on the label, not the marketing: protein per scoop, cost per 25 g of protein, the full ingredient list and third-party testing. No paid placements, and commission never sets a ranking. [Read our methodology](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/how-we-test/) Regular durum wheat pasta lists about 7 g of protein per 2 oz dry serving. Protein pastas swap some or all of that wheat for chickpeas, lentils, peas, soybeans or lupini beans, and the results vary far more than the marketing suggests. Some barely beat ordinary spaghetti, others carry as much protein as a scoop of powder, and the high scorers usually cost you something in texture. This guide ranks seven widely sold options on the numbers that matter: protein and fiber per 2 oz dry, net carbs, buyer-reported texture and cost per 25 g of protein. Label figures are per the label at the time of writing and vary by shape, so check the box you actually buy. ## Our Top Picks | Award | Product | Why | | --- | --- | --- | | Best Overall | [Banza Chickpea Pasta, Cavatappi, 8 oz](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-protein-pasta/#banza-chickpea-pasta-variety-pack) | The best all-round swap for regular pasta if you need it gluten-free and want it to behave like pasta; just do not expect soybean-level protein. | | Most Protein per Serving | [Explore Cuisine Organic Edamame Spaghetti, 8 oz (Pack of 6)](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-protein-pasta/#explore-cuisine-organic-edamame-spaghetti) | The best protein-per-serving pasta that most people can find; buy it for stir-fries and bold sauces rather than as a like-for-like spaghetti. | | Best Value Gluten-Free | [Barilla Red Lentil Rotini Pasta, 8.8 oz (Pack of 10)](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-protein-pasta/#barilla-red-lentil-rotini) | The value pick for anyone who needs gluten-free protein pasta and wants more protein per dollar than Banza. | | Closest to Regular Pasta | [Barilla Protein+ Penne Pasta, 14.5 oz (Pack of 4)](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-protein-pasta/#barilla-protein-plus-penne) | The painless upgrade for a household that will not tolerate beany pasta; a small protein bump, not a transformation. | | Highest Protein per Gram | [Explore Cuisine Organic Black Bean Spaghetti, 8 oz (Pack of 6)](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-protein-pasta/#explore-cuisine-organic-black-bean-spaghetti) | Pick it over the edamame version if you like a darker, earthier noodle; the protein and carb numbers are almost identical. | | Best Low-Carb | [Kaizen Low Carb Keto Pasta, Fusilli, 8 oz](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-protein-pasta/#kaizen-low-carb-keto-pasta-fusilli) | Worth it only if very low net carbs are the priority and soy is off the table; otherwise the soybean pastas are cheaper. | | Best Boxed Mac and Cheese | [Goodles Cheddy Mac, Creamy Cheddar Mac and Cheese, 6 oz](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-protein-pasta/#goodles-cheddy-mac) | The protein pasta for mac-and-cheese nights; add a protein side and it becomes a reasonable family meal. | ## 1. Why Swap to Protein Pasta at All A plain bowl of spaghetti is mostly starch. A typical 2 oz dry serving of durum wheat pasta gives about 7 g of protein and 2 to 3 g of fiber for around 200 calories, and most people eat two or three servings in one sitting without noticing. That is not a problem in itself, but if you are trying to hit a daily protein target, pasta night is usually the meal where the numbers fall apart. Protein pasta fixes that without asking you to change the meal. Swap a box of semolina for a box of chickpea, lentil or soybean pasta and the same plate can carry two to three times the protein and double or triple the fiber. You still need a sauce and usually a second protein source, but the base of the meal is now pulling its weight instead of filling space. The swap matters most for three groups. People eating more plants get a protein-dense staple that is not tofu or beans in a bowl. People managing carbohydrates, including some with diabetes, get a pasta with fewer net carbs and more fiber to slow digestion. And anyone chasing a higher protein target, whether for training or for staying full on fewer calories, gets an easy 10 to 25 g per serving from something they were going to eat anyway. It is not free. Legume pastas cost more per box than regular pasta, the box is often 8 oz instead of 16 oz, and the texture ranges from almost indistinguishable to noticeably beany. Some are gluten-free and some are not, which matters a great deal to one reader and not at all to another. The rest of this guide is about working out which trade-off suits you. If you are not sure how much protein you need in the first place, start with our guide to [how much protein you need per day](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/how-much-protein-do-i-need/). Most active adults land somewhere between 1.2 and 1.6 g per kilogram of body weight, and knowing your number tells you whether an extra 10 g at dinner is a nice bonus or a gap you genuinely need to close. ## 2. How We Ranked Them Every figure in this guide is per 2 oz (56 g) of dry pasta, because that is the serving size on almost every US Nutrition Facts panel. Comparing on one basis stops a brand that prints a 3.5 oz figure on the front from looking better than one that prints the honest 2 oz figure. Where retailer listings disagreed with each other, we used the figure that most label images supported and said so. Protein per 2 oz carried the most weight, followed by fiber and net carbs, which we calculated as total carbohydrate minus dietary fiber. Net carbs are not an official FDA term, and fiber is not entirely calorie-free, but the number is a useful shorthand for how much digestible starch is in the bowl compared with ordinary pasta at around 40 g. Texture is the reason most people abandon a protein pasta after one box, so we weighed it heavily even though we did not run a cook-off. Our texture notes summarize recurring themes in buyer reviews on Amazon and grocery sites: whether it holds shape, whether it turns mushy past al dente, whether the cooking water foams, and whether the taste reads as pasta or as beans. Finally we worked out cost per 25 g of protein, the same yardstick we use for [cheap protein powder](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-cheap-protein-powder/), so you can compare a box of pasta with a scoop of whey. We used Amazon prices when we checked in November 2026. Those prices move every week and pack sizes change the math, so treat the cost figures as a guide rather than a quote. We left out products we could not confirm were still sold in the US on Amazon. ZENB's yellow pea pasta, for example, has a good label at about 12 g of protein and 7 g of fiber per 2 oz, but listings we checked were frequently out of stock and the brand closed its UK arm, so we could not recommend it with confidence. ## 3. The Best Protein Pastas, Ranked Each pick was chosen on its label, not on a hands-on cook-off: protein and fiber per 2 oz (56 g) dry serving, net carbs, the main ingredient, and cost per 25 g of protein at the Amazon prices we saw when we checked (November 2026). Several brands print a bigger protein number on the front based on a 3.5 oz portion, so we converted everything back to the 2 oz Nutrition Facts serving. Texture comments summarize what buyers report in reviews. Prices move constantly and pack sizes vary on Amazon, so check the live listing and buy from listings marked Ships from and sold by Amazon or the brand storefront. ### 1. Banza Chickpea Pasta, Cavatappi, 8 oz **Award:** Best Overall | **Type:** Chickpea pasta (gluten-free) - **Protein per 2 oz dry:** About 11 g (label) - **Fiber / net carbs:** 5 g / about 29 g - **Cost per 25 g protein:** About $1.95 - **Best for:** Gluten-free everyday pasta Banza is the protein pasta most people have actually tried, and for good reason: it comes in more shapes than any rival, it is gluten-free, and buyers say it holds up in bakes and pasta salads better than most legume pastas. Per the label at the time of writing, a 2 oz dry serving lists about 190 calories, 11 g of protein, 5 g of fiber and 32 to 35 g of total carbohydrate. Note that the 20 g figure on newer boxes is per 3.5 oz. The cavatappi box was about $3.42 on Amazon when we checked (November 2026); prices move. That works out to roughly $1.95 per 25 g of protein. **Bottom line:** The best all-round swap for regular pasta if you need it gluten-free and want it to behave like pasta; just do not expect soybean-level protein. **Pros:** - Gluten-free, with the widest range of shapes - Buyers say it holds shape well in bakes and salads - About 11 g protein and 5 g fiber per 2 oz, roughly 1.5x regular pasta - Easy to find on Amazon and in most supermarkets **Cons:** - About $1.95 per 25 g of protein, one of the pricier options - Goes mushy quickly if overcooked; the water foams - Front-of-box 20 g claim is per 3.5 oz, not per 2 oz [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D633ZWK?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1) ### 2. Explore Cuisine Organic Edamame Spaghetti, 8 oz (Pack of 6) **Award:** Most Protein per Serving | **Type:** Soybean pasta (organic, gluten-free) - **Protein per 2 oz dry:** About 24 g (label) - **Fiber / net carbs:** About 13 g / about 7 g - **Cost per 25 g protein:** About $1.30 - **Best for:** Max protein, low carb Made from a single ingredient, organic edamame bean flour, this spaghetti lists about 24 g of protein and 13 g of fiber per 2 oz dry serving for around 180 calories, per label databases at the time of writing. That leaves roughly 7 g of net carbs, a fraction of regular pasta, and the protein is soy, which scores near the top among plant proteins for quality. The trade-off is texture: buyers describe it as chewy and clearly bean-flavored, best in Asian-style dishes or under a strong sauce. A six-pack was about $30 on Amazon when we checked (November 2026); prices move. That works out to about $1.30 per 25 g; it was on back-order from the brand's storefront. **Bottom line:** The best protein-per-serving pasta that most people can find; buy it for stir-fries and bold sauces rather than as a like-for-like spaghetti. **Pros:** - About 24 g of high-quality soy protein per 2 oz - Roughly 13 g fiber and about 7 g net carbs - Organic, gluten-free, one-ingredient label - About $1.30 per 25 g, level with mid-range whey **Cons:** - Distinct bean flavor and chewy, thin texture - Contains soy, a common allergen - Six-pack was on back-order when we checked [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H4LBM54?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1) ### 3. Barilla Red Lentil Rotini Pasta, 8.8 oz (Pack of 10) **Award:** Best Value Gluten-Free | **Type:** Red lentil pasta (gluten-free) - **Protein per 2 oz dry:** About 13-14 g (label) - **Fiber / net carbs:** 6 g / about 28 g - **Cost per 25 g protein:** About $1.20-1.30 (10-pack) - **Best for:** Gluten-free on a budget Barilla's red lentil pasta is made from just red lentil flour and is sold as gluten-free. Per the label at the time of writing, a 2 oz dry serving lists about 190 calories, 6 g of fiber and 34 g of total carbohydrate; protein is about 13 to 14 g, consistent with the brand's 25 g per 3.5 oz front claim. Buyers describe a firmer bite than chickpea pasta and an earthy taste that suits tomato and meat sauces. A ten-pack was about $29.20 on Amazon when we checked (November 2026); prices move. That works out to roughly $1.20 to $1.30 per 25 g of protein, the cheapest gluten-free option here. **Bottom line:** The value pick for anyone who needs gluten-free protein pasta and wants more protein per dollar than Banza. **Pros:** - About 13-14 g protein per 2 oz from one ingredient - Cheapest gluten-free pick at about $1.20-1.30 per 25 g - Firmer bite than most chickpea pastas, per buyers - Widely sold, including in multipacks **Cons:** - Earthy lentil taste is noticeable with light sauces - Around 28 g net carbs, so not a low-carb food - Smaller 8.8 oz box than regular Barilla [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DLVRC8N?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1) ### 4. Barilla Protein+ Penne Pasta, 14.5 oz (Pack of 4) **Award:** Closest to Regular Pasta | **Type:** Wheat and legume blend pasta (contains gluten) - **Protein per 2 oz dry:** 10 g (label) - **Fiber / net carbs:** 5 g / about 33 g - **Cost per 25 g protein:** About $1.00 (4-pack) - **Best for:** Families, picky eaters Protein+ blends semolina and durum wheat with lentil, chickpea and pea flours, and buyers consistently say it cooks and tastes almost like standard Barilla. Per the label at the time of writing, a 2 oz dry serving lists about 190 calories, 10 g of protein, 5 g of fiber and 38 g of total carbohydrate; the 17 g on the front is per 3.5 oz. That is a modest step up from regular pasta's 7 g, but the 14.5 oz box is larger than most protein pastas, and a four-pack was about $11.52 on Amazon when we checked (November 2026); prices move. Cost per 25 g lands around $1.00, the cheapest here. It contains wheat and is not gluten-free. **Bottom line:** The painless upgrade for a household that will not tolerate beany pasta; a small protein bump, not a transformation. **Pros:** - Texture and taste closest to ordinary pasta, per buyers - Bigger 14.5 oz box and low price per serving - Wheat plus legumes gives a well-balanced amino acid mix - Easy win for picky eaters and kids **Cons:** - Contains wheat; not for celiac or gluten-free diets - Only about 10 g protein per 2 oz - About 33 g net carbs, close to regular pasta [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FBYFRZZY?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1) ### 5. Explore Cuisine Organic Black Bean Spaghetti, 8 oz (Pack of 6) **Award:** Highest Protein per Gram | **Type:** Black soybean pasta (organic, gluten-free) - **Protein per 2 oz dry:** About 25 g (label) - **Fiber / net carbs:** About 11 g / about 9 g - **Cost per 25 g protein:** About $1.25 - **Best for:** Max protein, bold sauces The black bean spaghetti is made from organic black soybean flour, not the black turtle beans used in burritos, which explains its unusually high protein. Per retailer label listings at the time of writing, a 2 oz dry serving gives about 25 g of protein and about 11 g of fiber for 180 to 190 calories, with roughly 9 g of net carbs. Like the edamame version, it is chewy and strongly flavored, and it turns the cooking water dark. A six-pack was about $30 on Amazon when we checked (November 2026); prices move. That works out to around $1.25 per 25 g of protein. **Bottom line:** Pick it over the edamame version if you like a darker, earthier noodle; the protein and carb numbers are almost identical. **Pros:** - About 25 g of soy protein per 2 oz, the highest here - Roughly 11 g fiber and about 9 g net carbs - Organic and gluten-free, single ingredient - Among the lowest cost per 25 g in this guide **Cons:** - Strong flavor and dark color put some buyers off - Contains soy - Calorie and carb figures vary slightly between listings [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H4LBIVC?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1) ### 6. Kaizen Low Carb Keto Pasta, Fusilli, 8 oz **Award:** Best Low-Carb | **Type:** Lupini bean pasta (gluten-free) - **Protein per 2 oz dry:** About 19-20 g (label) - **Fiber / net carbs:** About 15 g / about 2-6 g - **Cost per 25 g protein:** About $3.10-3.30 - **Best for:** Keto and soy-free low carb Kaizen is built from lupini flour and fava bean protein, with tapioca starch and xanthan gum for structure. Per the label at the time of writing, a 2 oz dry serving lists about 19 to 20 g of protein and around 15 g of fiber, and the brand claims 6 g of net carbs, though some listings show as little as 2 g depending on shape. Calories vary from about 130 to 170 by shape. Buyers are split on texture, and Amazon ratings we saw sat below 4 stars. The big drawback is price: a three-pack was about $29.92 on Amazon when we checked (November 2026); prices move. That works out to roughly $3.10 to $3.30 per 25 g. **Bottom line:** Worth it only if very low net carbs are the priority and soy is off the table; otherwise the soybean pastas are cheaper. **Pros:** - About 2-6 g net carbs per 2 oz, lowest here - About 19-20 g protein with roughly 15 g fiber - Gluten-free and soy-free - Several shapes, including fusilli, ziti and cavatappi **Cons:** - Roughly $3.10-3.30 per 25 g of protein - Lupin is related to peanuts; allergy risk - Mixed buyer reviews on texture [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BNW8L1CP?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1) ### 7. Goodles Cheddy Mac, Creamy Cheddar Mac and Cheese, 6 oz **Award:** Best Boxed Mac and Cheese | **Type:** Protein mac and cheese (wheat; GF version available) - **Protein per serving:** About 14 g (label; GF about 13 g) - **Fiber:** About 4-6 g, by version - **Cost per 25 g protein:** About $11.92 per listing; check pack size - **Best for:** Kids and quick dinners Goodles is a boxed mac and cheese with noodles made from wheat flour, chickpea protein and wheat protein, and retailer labels list about 14 g of protein per serving at the time of writing. The gluten-free version swaps in corn, brown rice, chickpeas and yellow peas and lists about 13 g of protein and 4 g of fiber. Serving sizes vary between listings, so compare on the panel. The listing was about $11.92 on Amazon when we checked (November 2026); prices move. Stock was low, so check the pack size on the listing before comparing. It is not a plain noodle and will not match the soybean pastas on protein, but it roughly doubles a typical boxed mac and cheese and is the easiest way to sneak extra protein into a child's dinner. **Bottom line:** The protein pasta for mac-and-cheese nights; add a protein side and it becomes a reasonable family meal. **Pros:** - About 14 g protein per serving, roughly double typical boxed mac - Familiar cheesy taste kids accept - Gluten-free version available - Quick, one-box meal **Cons:** - Standard version contains wheat - Includes cheese sauce, so not comparable to plain pasta - Serving sizes differ between listings [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D1GGTQ4P?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1) ## 4. The Numbers Side by Side The table below puts every pick on the same 2 oz dry basis. The spread is the point: the top two soybean pastas carry more than twice the protein of the chickpea and wheat-blend options, with a fraction of the net carbs, while the wheat-based option is the closest to regular pasta in texture and price. | Pasta (2 oz dry) | Protein | Fiber | Net carbs | Gluten-free | Cost per 25 g | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Banza Chickpea | About 11 g | 5 g | About 29 g | Yes | About $1.95 | | Explore Cuisine Edamame | About 24 g | About 13 g | About 7 g | Yes | About $1.30 | | Barilla Red Lentil | About 13-14 g | 6 g | About 28 g | Yes | About $1.20-1.30 | | Barilla Protein+ | 10 g | 5 g | About 33 g | No (wheat) | About $1.00 | | Explore Cuisine Black Bean | About 25 g | About 11 g | About 9 g | Yes | About $1.25 | | Kaizen (lupini) | About 19-20 g | About 15 g | About 2-6 g | Yes | About $3.10-3.30 | | Goodles Cheddy Mac | About 14 g (per prepared serving) | About 4-6 g | Varies | Standard: no; GF version: yes | Depends on pack size | Two things stand out. First, the gap between front-of-box claims and the 2 oz panel is large: Banza advertises 20 g of protein per serving on its newer boxes, but that is for a 3.5 oz portion, and the 2 oz panel lists about 11 g. Second, cost per 25 g of protein for the soybean, lentil and wheat-blend pastas is close to what you pay for mid-range whey, which makes them a genuinely efficient protein source rather than a novelty. Net carbs show an equally wide spread. Chickpea, lentil and wheat-blend pastas still sit in the high 20s to low 30s per serving, which is lower than ordinary pasta but not low-carb. Only the soybean and lupini pastas drop into single digits, and they are the ones to pick if carbohydrate control is the main reason you are here. Goodles is the odd one out because it is a boxed mac and cheese, not plain pasta, and its serving includes the cheese sauce. We included it because it is the protein pasta most families actually buy, but its numbers are not directly comparable with a dry noodle you dress yourself. ## 5. The Front-of-Box Trick: 2 oz vs 3.5 oz The single most confusing thing about protein pasta is that the protein number on the front of the box usually does not match the Nutrition Facts panel on the side. Banza, Barilla Red Lentil and Barilla Protein+ all print a larger figure on the front, and in each case it refers to a 3.5 oz (100 g) portion, not the 2 oz serving the panel uses. The conversion is simple: multiply the 3.5 oz number by about 0.57 to get the 2 oz figure. Barilla Red Lentil's 25 g per 3.5 oz becomes about 14 g per 2 oz. Barilla Protein+'s 17 g per 3.5 oz becomes about 10 g, which is exactly what its panel lists. Banza's 20 g becomes about 11 g. The brands are not lying, but they are choosing the portion that makes the number look biggest. > **THE RULE** > > **Read the side panel, not the front** > > Compare protein pastas on the 2 oz dry Nutrition Facts serving. A front-of-box claim based on 3.5 oz inflates protein by about 75 percent compared with the panel. There is a fair argument for the larger portion. Plenty of people eat 3 to 4 oz of dry pasta at dinner, so the 3.5 oz figure may be closer to what lands on the plate. The problem is only when you compare one brand's 3.5 oz claim with another brand's 2 oz panel. Explore Cuisine prints its 2 oz figures, so its 24 to 25 g looks smaller next to a 3.5 oz claim even though it is more than double. Retailer listings add another layer of confusion. We found the same Banza and Explore Cuisine boxes listed with different protein and fiber figures across grocery sites, sometimes reflecting an older formula and sometimes a data-entry mistake. If a number matters to you, look at the photo of the actual Nutrition Facts panel on the Amazon listing, or the box itself, rather than the bullet points. ## 6. Legume Protein Quality: Is It as Good as Meat? Grams of protein are not all equal. Protein quality depends on the mix of essential amino acids and how well your body digests them. Animal proteins like whey, egg and meat score at or near the top of standard measures. Most legumes are good but incomplete on their own, typically rich in lysine and relatively low in the sulfur amino acids methionine and cysteine. Soybeans are the exception among the picks here. Soy protein scores close to animal proteins on the PDCAAS scale and contains all the essential amino acids in useful amounts, which is why the edamame and black bean pastas from Explore Cuisine are the strongest plant options in this guide on quality as well as quantity. Our [soy protein powder guide](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-soy-protein-powder/) covers the same point in more depth. Chickpea, lentil, pea and lupini proteins are respectable but less complete. Wheat, by contrast, is low in lysine and high in the sulfur amino acids, which is why Barilla's Protein+ blend of semolina with lentils, chickpeas and peas is a sensible pairing: the grain and the legumes cover each other's gaps. The same logic applies at the table. Pasta with a cheese, meat, egg or tofu component closes most of the gap without any effort. For most people eating a varied diet, the amino acid balance of one pasta meal does not matter much, because the body pools amino acids across the day. It matters more if pasta is your main protein source or you eat few animal foods. In that case, favor the soybean pastas, pair legume pastas with a complementary protein, and count the pasta as part of your intake rather than all of it. Fiber is the other quiet benefit. Most of these pastas deliver 5 to 15 g of fiber per serving, which helps with fullness and blood sugar response. The flip side is that a sudden jump from 3 g to 15 g in one meal can cause gas and bloating. If you are new to legume pasta, start with a smaller portion or mix it half and half with regular pasta for the first few weeks. ## 7. Texture and Cooking: What Buyers Say Buyer reviews follow a clear pattern. The more wheat a pasta keeps, the more it behaves like regular pasta. Barilla Protein+ draws the most comments that it tastes and cooks almost like normal Barilla, which makes sense because semolina and durum wheat are still the main ingredients. It is the easiest swap for picky eaters and children. Chickpea and lentil pastas sit in the middle. Banza is widely praised for holding its shape in baked dishes and cold pasta salads, but reviewers repeatedly warn that it goes from firm to mushy quickly and that the cooking water foams. Barilla Red Lentil has a firmer bite and an earthier taste that some buyers love and others find too beany with a light sauce. The soybean pastas are the most divisive. Explore Cuisine's edamame and black bean spaghetti are thin, chewy and distinctly bean-flavored, and the black bean version turns the cooking water dark. Buyers who use them in stir-fries, peanut sauces or with strong tomato sauces tend to rate them well; buyers expecting Italian spaghetti tend to be disappointed. Kaizen's lupini pasta gets mixed reviews, with some praising the bite and others describing it as fine if you are craving pasta. A few cooking habits help all of them. Use plenty of water at a hard boil, start tasting two minutes before the box time, and drain the moment it is al dente rather than waiting for the timer. Rinse chickpea and lentil pasta briefly if the starch foam bothers you. Toss with sauce straight away, because most legume pastas stiffen as they cool and do not reheat as gracefully as wheat pasta. Leftovers are the weak spot across the board. Legume pastas tend to firm up and dry out in the fridge, then go soft when microwaved. If you meal prep, slightly undercook the pasta, store it in sauce rather than plain, and add a splash of water before reheating. Cold pasta salads are the exception, where Banza and Barilla Red Lentil both hold up well. ## 8. Gluten-Free Status and Allergens Most legume pastas are naturally gluten-free, but not all protein pastas are. Barilla Protein+ is made with semolina and durum wheat, so it contains gluten and is not suitable for celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. The standard Goodles Cheddy Mac uses wheat flour and wheat protein too, although Goodles sells a separate gluten-free version made from corn, brown rice, chickpeas and yellow peas. Banza, Barilla Red Lentil, Explore Cuisine and Kaizen are sold as gluten-free. If you have celiac disease, look for a gluten-free certification or claim on the specific box and check the allergen statement for shared-facility warnings, because those can change between production runs. The same advice applies to supplements; our guide to [the best gluten-free protein powder](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-gluten-free-protein-powder/) explains which certifications are worth trusting. Allergens are where legume pastas need a second look. Explore Cuisine's edamame and black bean pastas are made from soybeans, so they are off the table for anyone with a soy allergy. Kaizen is made mostly from lupini flour, and lupin is a legume related to peanuts; people with peanut allergy can react to it, so check with your doctor before trying it. Chickpea and lentil pastas are generally better tolerated but are still legumes. If you follow a low-FODMAP diet, be cautious. Chickpeas and lentils are high in certain fermentable carbohydrates in larger servings, and pasta made from them concentrates the legume. A small portion may be fine for some people, but this is worth testing carefully or discussing with a dietitian. None of this is medical advice; if you have a diagnosed condition, follow your clinician's guidance. ## 9. Cost per 25 g of Protein Measured per box, protein pasta looks expensive. A box of Banza or Explore Cuisine typically costs more than double a 16 oz box of regular pasta and holds half as much. Measured per gram of protein, the picture changes, and the high-protein pastas start to look like one of the cheaper whole-food protein sources in the pantry. At Amazon prices when we checked (November 2026; prices move), Barilla Protein+ came out cheapest at about $1.00 per 25 g of protein in a four-pack, followed by Barilla Red Lentil at about $1.20 to $1.30 in a ten-pack and the Explore Cuisine soybean pastas at about $1.25 to $1.30 in a six-pack. That is level with a mainstream tub of whey, which typically runs $1.00 to $1.50 per 25 g. > **Per 25 g of Protein** > > - **~$1.00**: Barilla Protein+ (4-pack) > - **~$1.20-1.30**: Barilla Red Lentil (10-pack) > - **~$1.25-1.30**: Explore Cuisine soybean pastas > - **~$3.10+**: Kaizen lupini pasta Banza and Kaizen are the expensive outliers. Banza is good pasta but only about 11 g of protein per serving, so at about $3.42 for a single 8 oz box on Amazon it works out near $1.95 per 25 g. Kaizen was about $29.92 for a three-pack, close to $10 a box, which pushes it to roughly $3.10 to $3.30 per 25 g. You are paying for very low net carbs, not for cheap protein. On Amazon, multipacks and Subscribe & Save usually beat single boxes, but watch for listings from third-party sellers charging inflated prices or shipping single boxes as a pack. Our [guide to buying protein on Amazon](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/amazon-protein-powder/) explains how to spot a dodgy listing; the same checks apply to pasta. Stick with Ships from and sold by Amazon, or the brand's own storefront, and check the per-ounce price before you add to cart. ## 10. Building a 40 g Protein Pasta Bowl Pasta alone rarely gets a meal to the 30 to 40 g of protein many people aim for at dinner. A 3 oz dry portion of Banza gives about 16 g; the same portion of Explore Cuisine edamame gives about 36 g. The smart move is to pick the pasta for taste and texture first, then let the rest of the plate fill the gap. Some easy additions: a quarter cup of grated Parmesan adds roughly 8 to 10 g, 4 oz of cooked chicken breast about 30 g, a can of tuna around 20 to 25 g, and half a cup of cottage cheese blended into a sauce about 12 to 14 g. A meat sauce made with lean ground beef or turkey adds 20 g or more per portion. Any one of these on top of a chickpea or lentil pasta puts a bowl comfortably over 30 g. Unflavored protein powder can go into sauces too. A scoop of unflavored whey or pea protein stirred into a cream or cheese sauce off the heat adds 20 g or more without changing much except thickness. Avoid adding it to a boiling sauce, where whey in particular can clump. Our [unflavored protein powder guide](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-unflavored-protein-powder/) covers which ones disappear best. If you are building a full high-protein pantry, protein pasta pairs naturally with the other staples we cover, from [protein pancake mix](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-protein-pancake-mix/) for breakfast to [high-protein cereal](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-protein-cereal/) and [protein chips](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-protein-chips/) for snacks. None of them has to be perfect on its own; the point is that each meal contributes a little more than it used to. Use the [protein calculator](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/protein-calculator/) to set a daily target, then plan pasta nights backward from it. If dinner needs to deliver 40 g, a soybean pasta with Parmesan gets there alone; a chickpea pasta needs a meat, fish or dairy partner. Either works, and knowing which you need saves guessing at the stove. ## 11. Common Mistakes to Avoid ### Comparing a 3.5 oz claim with a 2 oz panel Banza and Barilla print protein for a 3.5 oz portion on the front, while Explore Cuisine prints 2 oz figures. Comparing those numbers directly makes the wrong pasta look better. Always compare on the 2 oz dry Nutrition Facts serving, or multiply any 3.5 oz claim by about 0.57 first. ### Assuming every protein pasta is gluten-free Barilla Protein+ and the standard Goodles Cheddy Mac both contain wheat. Legume pastas are usually gluten-free, but a protein pasta is not automatically a legume pasta. If you have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, read the ingredient list and allergen statement on every box, every time, before buying or cooking. ### Cooking it like regular pasta Legume pastas go from al dente to mushy within a minute or two, and timing on the box can be generous. Use plenty of boiling water, start tasting early, and drain as soon as it has bite. Sauce it immediately, because most of these pastas stiffen as they cool. ### Jumping straight to 15 g of fiber A serving of soybean or lupini pasta can carry four or five times the fiber of regular pasta. Going from a low-fiber diet to that in one meal is a common cause of gas and bloating. Start with a smaller portion or mix with regular pasta, drink enough water, and build up over a few weeks. ### Ignoring the allergen on the label Edamame and black bean pastas are soybean, and Kaizen is lupini, a legume related to peanuts. Chickpea and lentil pastas are legumes too. If you have a soy, peanut or legume allergy, check the ingredients carefully and talk to your doctor before trying lupin. A high protein number is never worth a reaction. ## 12. Frequently Asked Questions ### Which pasta has the most protein? Among widely sold options, Explore Cuisine's organic black bean and edamame spaghetti lead, at about 25 g and 24 g of protein per 2 oz dry serving respectively, per labels at the time of writing. Kaizen's lupini pasta follows at about 19 to 20 g. Chickpea, lentil and wheat-blend pastas land between 10 and 14 g, compared with about 7 g for regular durum wheat pasta. ### Is chickpea pasta healthier than regular pasta? Per 2 oz dry, Banza chickpea pasta has about 11 g of protein and 5 g of fiber, against roughly 7 g and 2 to 3 g for regular pasta, with slightly fewer net carbs. That makes it more filling and better for blood sugar for most people. Calories are similar, so portion size still matters. Healthier depends on your goals, but the swap is a reasonable upgrade. ### Is protein pasta good for weight loss? It can help. Higher protein and fiber make a meal more filling, which may make it easier to eat a sensible portion and stay full longer. Calories per serving are similar to regular pasta, though, so it is not a free pass. Weigh your dry portion, add vegetables and a lean protein, and use it as part of an overall calorie plan rather than a fix on its own. ### Is Barilla Protein+ gluten-free? No. Barilla Protein+ is made with semolina and durum wheat blended with lentil, chickpea and pea flours, so it contains gluten. Barilla's red lentil and chickpea pastas are the brand's gluten-free options. If you need gluten-free, check for a gluten-free claim on the box and read the allergen statement, and see our gluten-free protein powder guide for supplements. ### Is legume protein as good as meat protein? Soy protein, used in the edamame and black bean pastas, scores close to animal proteins on standard quality measures. Chickpea, lentil, pea and lupini proteins are good but lower in the sulfur amino acids. Over a day of mixed eating this rarely matters, and pairing legume pasta with cheese, meat, eggs, fish or a grain closes the gap easily. ### Can people with diabetes eat protein pasta? Many people with diabetes find legume pasta easier to fit into a meal plan because of the higher fiber and lower net carbs, especially the soybean and lupini options. Responses vary between individuals, so check your own glucose after a meal and follow your care team's advice. This is general information, not medical advice, and portion size still drives the carbohydrate load. ### Where should I buy protein pasta on Amazon? Buy from listings marked Ships from and sold by Amazon, or from the brand's own storefront, and compare the price per ounce rather than per pack. Multipacks and Subscribe & Save usually give the best price, but some third-party listings charge far more or ship fewer boxes than shown. Check the photographed Nutrition Facts panel before ordering. ## Related Protein Guides - [Best Gluten-Free Protein Powder](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-gluten-free-protein-powder/): Powders that pair with gluten-free pasta, ranked on certification, protein per scoop and cost per 25 g. - [How Much Protein Do I Need?](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/how-much-protein-do-i-need/): Work out your daily target in grams, then plan how much each meal, including pasta night, should deliver. - [Best Protein Cereal](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-protein-cereal/): High-protein cereals ranked per serving and per 25 g, for a breakfast that pulls its weight too. ## The Bottom Line For most people, the best protein pasta is the one they will keep eating. Banza is the safest all-round gluten-free swap, Barilla Red Lentil gives more protein per dollar, and Barilla Protein+ is the painless upgrade for families who will not touch anything beany. If protein per serving or low net carbs is the goal, Explore Cuisine's soybean pastas are in a different league, and Kaizen is the low-carb pick for anyone avoiding soy. Whatever you choose, compare on the 2 oz panel, cook it a little less than the box says, and let the rest of the plate do some of the work. A protein pasta plus a cheese, meat, fish or tofu partner gets most dinners past 30 g without trying, and at the best prices it costs about the same per gram as a scoop of whey. ## More in Specialty Protein Guides in this category that pair with what you just read. - [Best Protein Pancake Mix](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-protein-pancake-mix/) - [Best Protein Chips](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-protein-chips/) - [Best Soy Protein Powder](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-soy-protein-powder/) - [Best Protein Cookies](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-protein-cookies/) About the Author [Best Protein Powder Editorial Team](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/authors/editorial-team/), Supplements Desk The editorial team reads the label, the certificate and the price per gram of protein before a powder gets near a ranking -- and says plainly when a cheaper tub does the same job. [Full profile](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/authors/editorial-team/) | [How we test](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/how-we-test/)