Calories, net carbs, fiber and protein can vary widely between pastas. Reading those numbers together helps you plan a pasta meal that fits your preferences.
Below, we sort the options by goal. We use the same label figures as our ingredient guide, all per 2 ounces dry. Net carbs mean total carbohydrate minus fiber. We make Impastable and use the same serving basis throughout the comparison.
The numbers in one place
| Pasta | Calories | Net carbs | Fiber | Protein | Gluten-free |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impastable | 55 | 8g | 36g | 4g | No |
| Regular dry pasta (USDA) | 211 | 41g | 2g | 7g | No |
| Barilla Protein+ Penne | 190 | 33g | 5g | 10g | No |
| Banza Chickpea Penne | 190 | 20g | 11g | 11g | Yes |
| Kaizen Ziti (lupini) | 130 | 6g | 15g | 20g | Yes |
| Explore Cuisine Organic Edamame Spaghetti | 190 | 9g | 11g | 25g | Yes |
Figures are from each brand's published Nutrition Facts as of October 23, 2026, and USDA FoodData Central for regular pasta. Impastable's serving is 57g; the others are 56g. Labels change, so check the box you buy.
Goal: the lowest calories
Pick: Impastable. At 55 calories per serving, it is well below everything else in the table. Kaizen is next at 130. The chickpea, edamame and protein-enriched wheat pastas are all at 190, close to regular pasta at 211.
The reason is the recipe. Most of the semolina is replaced by oat fiber and wheat fiber, which add almost no calories.
If you want the pasta to take up as little of the day's calories as possible, so the sauce, cheese or protein on top can have more room, this is where Impastable does its best work.
Goal: the fewest net carbs
Impastable has 8g of net carbs per serving, compared with about 41g for the regular pasta reference in the table. The full comparison shows how other pasta recipes affect the carbohydrate and fiber numbers.
Chickpea pasta is 20g and Barilla Protein+ is 33g. Those are lower than regular pasta, but they are not low-carb pastas. If carbs are your main number, read the total carbohydrate and fiber lines, not the protein badge on the front.
Impastable pairs 8g net carbs with 55 calories and a wheat-based bite.
Building protein into your pasta meal
The table shows the protein in each pasta alongside calories, net carbs and fiber. Impastable has 4g of protein per serving.
You can pair Impastable with chicken, shrimp, meat sauce, ricotta, eggs or beans, according to your preferences and dietary needs.
Goal: gluten-free
Check the full ingredient list and allergen statement when choosing gluten-free foods. Banza, Kaizen and Explore Cuisine are sold as certified gluten-free. Banza is chickpea-based, Kaizen's label says lupini is in the same plant family as peanuts, and Explore Cuisine contains soy.
Impastable contains wheat and egg and is not gluten-free. Barilla Protein+ is also a wheat pasta.
Goal: the closest to regular pasta
Texture depends on the ingredients and the way pasta is cooked. Semolina is the base of traditional dry pasta; replacing it with legumes or fiber changes the bite.
Different pasta bases also change the texture:
- Impastable is wheat-based, with wheat protein, egg whites and durum flour, so it has a pasta-style chew. It is also a high-fiber recipe, so expect a heartier bite than semolina pasta. It is not identical, and we do not claim it is.
- Lupini and edamame pastas have a bean flavor and a firmer or denser bite.
- Chickpea pasta is softer and can go mushy if overcooked. Taste a minute early.
- Konjac and hearts of palm noodles are their own foods, springy or vegetable-like. Enjoy them for what they are.
Taste is personal, which is why Impastable has a 100% money-back taste guarantee. It covers your first unit, so you can try it with little risk.
Goal: smaller portions on a GLP-1
If you eat smaller meals on a GLP-1, it helps to decide what each part of a small plate is for.
- If you want the pasta to stay light so your protein and vegetables take up the room, Impastable keeps the pasta at 55 calories and 8g net carbs per serving.
- If you only want a few bites, a half serving of any of these works. Cook a full serving and save half for the next day.
Whatever you pick, build the plate first and choose the pasta to fit it. Your care team is the right place for questions about your own plan.
What Impastable brings to your pasta meal
- Per serving: lowest calories in the table, by a wide margin. Most fiber per serving. Net carbs within 2g of the lowest. A wheat-based pasta bite.
The short version
- 55 calories, 8g net carbs and 36g fiber per 2oz (57g) dry serving.
- A wheat-based recipe made with oat fiber, wheat fiber, wheat protein isolate, egg whites and durum flour.
- Contains wheat and egg; not gluten-free.
If calories and net carbs are your numbers, you can see every Impastable shape. To learn what replaced the semolina and why it costs more than a box of regular pasta, read Why Impastable.
