When I think of macaroni and cheese, I picture Sunday afternoons: warm sauce, soft noodles, a fork scooping every last bit. But I avoid the carbs now. That’s where keto noodles step in. They give me that same comfort, without the heaviness.
This keto noodles recipe turns simple ingredients into something that feels like a hug. The creamy sauce wraps around every noodle, making it hard to believe it’s flourless noodles. It’s proof that the best keto pasta dishes can still be fun and full. No need for flour or heavy cheese tricks—just fresh ideas and good taste.
What Are Shirataki Noodles?
Shirataki noodles come from the konjac plant. They have almost zero carbs. People call them flourless noodles, carb free pasta recipe, and low carb noodles recipe. They come packed in water. After draining and rinsing, they’re ready to go in your favorite bowl.
Shirataki shine in keto pasta recipes because they soak up flavor. They cook fast, feel weightless, and fit in with any keto dinner—like a meatless healthy dinner recipes or a keto Italian dinner recipe. If you’ve tried vegan garlic noodles recipe or recipes with soba noodles, this is a similar swap, but totally low-carb.
Why This Is The Best Keto Noodles Recipe You’ll Try
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Easy to use: No boiling, no worry. Just rinse and you’re ready.
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Versatile: Goes great with shiitake pasta recipes or meatless healthy dinner recipes.
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Flavorful: Creamy sauce and real cheese make it feel like treat.
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Quick: Dinner in about 15 minutes.
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Carb controlled: This is a carb free pasta recipe you can eat any night.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Noodles
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1 pack (200 g) shirataki noodles
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Pinch of salt
For the Creamy Sauce
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1 cup heavy cream (or full‑fat coconut cream for dairy-free)
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1 medium garlic clove, minced
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1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
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1/2 cup mozzarella, grated
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2 tablespoons cream cheese
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1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
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Fresh black pepper, to taste
Optional Mix-Ins (add these to make it more like a full meal)
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1 cup sliced shiitake mushroom noodles (just sautéed)
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1/2 cup steamed broccoli or spinach
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1/2 cup diced cooked chicken or bacon (for keto Italian dinner recipes)
How to Make Keto Noodles: A Full, Step-by-Step Guide
1. Get the Shirataki Noodles Ready
Start by opening the package and pouring the shirataki noodles into a colander. You’ll probably notice a faint smell—don’t panic. That’s just from the konjac root water they’re stored in. Totally normal.
Now rinse the noodles under hot running water for about 1 minute. Really rinse them well—use your fingers to stir them around. This helps get rid of that odd scent and preps them to soak up your sauce later.
Next, sprinkle a small pinch of salt over the noodles and gently pat them dry with a clean towel or some paper towels. The goal here is to remove as much extra moisture as you can.
Optional but worth it: Toss them into a dry, nonstick pan over medium-high heat (no oil, no butter). Let them “dry fry” for 2–3 minutes. Stir them around so they don’t stick. You’ll see steam rise as the water cooks off—that’s good. It gives the noodles a firmer, more pasta-like bite and helps them hold onto your sauce better.
2. Make the Creamy Cheese Sauce
Grab a medium-sized saucepan and pour in the heavy cream (or coconut cream if you’re going dairy-free). Add the minced garlic. Turn the heat to medium.
Let it warm slowly—you want to see tiny bubbles forming around the edges, not a full boil. Once it’s warm, stir in the cream cheese. Use a whisk or spoon to break it up and melt it fully into the cream. It should look smooth and a little thick.
Now, add the shredded cheddar and mozzarella. Stir until both cheeses melt and the sauce becomes creamy and stretchy. This is when the kitchen starts smelling amazing—cheesy, garlicky, and rich.
Add the Dijon mustard and a few cracks of black pepper. The mustard gives it a little tang and brings the whole sauce together. Stir again. Keep the heat low so nothing burns or separates.
3. Bring It All Together: Noodles Meet Sauce
Add the dried and prepped noodles to the cheese sauce. Toss gently to coat them fully. Use a silicone spatula or tongs to stir and fold the noodles into the sauce without breaking them.
Let it all cook together for 2 more minutes. This gives the noodles time to absorb some of that creamy flavor. The sauce will thicken slightly, clinging to each strand.
Pro tip: if the sauce gets too thick, just add a splash of cream or water to loosen it up again.
4. Customize with Add-Ins (Totally Optional, Totally Worth It)
This is where it gets fun. Make the dish fit your mood or pantry:
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For shiitake pasta recipes: Sauté sliced shiitake mushrooms in a bit of olive oil or butter until browned and soft. Stir them into the noodles for a savory, earthy twist.
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For meatless healthy dinner recipes: Steam or sauté chopped broccoli or spinach and add them right before serving. It adds color, texture, and extra nutrition.
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For keto Italian dinner recipes: Toss in chopped cooked bacon, shredded rotisserie chicken, or even crumbled sausage. The sauce will soak right into the meat, making it feel like a full Italian meal.
Want a spice kick? Add a dash of chili flakes, cayenne, or smoked paprika while stirring.
5. Serve It Up While It’s Hot
Spoon the noodles into your favorite bowls. The sauce should be smooth, cheesy, and cling to every bite. Sprinkle with fresh parsley for a little color, or add some crushed red pepper flakes for a mild kick.
If you like a crispy top, transfer the whole thing into an oven-safe dish, top with extra cheese, and broil for 3–5 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Serve with a side salad or roasted veggies if you’re feeling fancy, or just dig in straight from the pot—no judgment.
Browned Cheese Crust Option
Want that baked macaroni and cheese finish? Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread the noodle mix into an oven-safe dish. Top with extra cheese and bake for 5–7 minutes until it’s golden. You get a crispy crust on top of the creamy noodles.
Tips for the Best Keto Pasta Experience
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Rinse well: Shirataki have a mild scent. Rinse and dry‑fry to remove it.
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Keep it creamy: Don’t skimp on cream cheese.
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Use good cheese: Grate your cheese fresh for better melt.
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Play with flavor: Mix in garlic powder or smoked paprika if you like spice.
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Make it vegan: Use coconut cream and vegan cheese—fits vegan garlic noodles recipe feel.
More Recipe Ideas: Low‑Carb Noodles Recipes
Switch up this base recipe to explore other dishes:
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Keto Shirataki Alfredo
Skip the cheddar, use parmesan and garlic—makes a silky Italian sauce. -
Shirataki Stir‑Fry
Use soy sauce, sesame oil, scallions, ginger. -
Spicy Chili Mac
Add tomato sauce, chili flakes, ground beef—flakes/taco cheese. -
Mushroom Soba‑Style
Try with soba noodles pour sauce over mushrooms (though not as low carb).
Keto Shirataki Noodle Mac Recipe Variations
Shiitake Pasta Recipes
Add 1 cup sautéed shiitake mushrooms. Taste pairs well with the cream sauce. It becomes like “recipes with shitake mushroom” but still low-carb.
Vegan Garlic Noodles Recipe
Use full-fat coconut cream and vegan cheese. Add garlic powder, nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor. Now it’s a plant-based carb free pasta recipe.
Meatless Healthy Dinner Recipes
Add steamed vegetables—broccoli, peas, spinach, cauliflower florets. It’s a healthy and light dish that still feels rich.
Why This Feels Like Macaroni and Cheese
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The cream and cheese mix gives that thick, clingy sauce.
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Shirataki noodles have the same shape as macaroni and feel soft.
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No flour needed—so they are flourless noodles.
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You can get crispy baked topping like old-school mac.
Best Keto Noodles on the Table
I’ve tried many, but this one stands out as best keto noodles AND best keto pasta. It works night after night. It checks all boxes: low carb noodles recipes, carb free pasta recipe, keto noodles recipe.
A Day in My Kitchen
Let me tell you about the first time I made this. I came home late, craving comfort food. My pantry held a pack of shirataki noodles and some cheese. I whipped up this keto noodles recipe in under 10 minutes. The aroma of garlic and cheese hit me first. When I took that first bite—wow. It brought back childhood dinner memories, but without the carb crash. I felt cozy and full, but light. I knew then I had found a way to hit that classic macaroni and cheese feel, keto style.
Easy Japanese Noodle Recipes Meets Italian Mac
Shirataki noodles come from Japan, so this keto dish blends easy Japanese noodle recipes with classic American macaroni and cheese. It’s a little East meets West. And it works.
Want to go full Japanese? Add soy sauce, mild chili oil, scallions, and shiitake. You get a fusion that reads like both shiitake mushroom noodles AND Italian mac. Yet it stays low carb.
Rustic Meals with a Homemade Touch
There’s something warm and homey about this. I like to call it one of my rustic meals—you know, like grandma’s cooking but keto. It’s unpretentious, it fills the house with good smell, and it feels real.
Serve it with a green salad or roasted veggie side. Guests won’t miss the pasta. They’ll just want more.
Shopping List for Keto Pasta Success
Here’s what I recommend stocking:
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Shirataki noodles: look for 400 g packs if you want more noodles.
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Heavy cream or coconut cream
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Cream cheese
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Good cheddar & mozzarella
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Fresh garlic
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Shiitake mushrooms
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Broccoli or spinach
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Optional: mustard, soy sauce, herbs
Weekly Meal Prep Idea
Make a big batch of sauce ahead. Store in a jar. Rinse noodles when you want to eat. Heat sauce, toss in noodles and mix‑ins. Dinner in 5 minutes. You still get that fresh creamy feel without slaving it out.
Summary of Benefits
Benefit | Description |
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Low carb | Carb free pasta recipe—less than 5g net carbs per serving. |
No flour needed | Uses flourless noodles—pure keto pasta recipe. |
Fast | Ready in about 15 minutes total. |
Versatile | Works with mushrooms, veggies, meats—many recipe ideas. |
Comfort food style | Feels like macaroni and cheese without the carbs. |
Family friendly | Easy for kids and adults who want simple good food. |
Adaptable | Go vegan, go Italian, go Japanese—your call. |
Keto Italian Dinner Recipes You Can Try Next
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Keto Noodles Alfredo: Swap cheddar for parmesan and garlic.
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Keto Pesto Noodle: Stir in basil pesto at the end.
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Keto Tomato‑Basil Mac: Mix in tomato paste, basil, mozzarella.
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Shiitake Garlic Noodles: Add mushrooms and soy sauce.
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One‑Pot Cheese Bake: Add meat, veggies, sauce—bake until bubbly.
Conclusion
If you want a low carb noodles recipes that feels like the real deal, this Keto Shirataki Noodle Mac works. It uses simple ingredients, it’s easy to make, and it’s full of flavor. It blends Japanese shirataki tradition with the feel of macaroni and cheese in an Italian style. You get the best keto pasta, easy Japanese noodle recipes, and meatless healthy dinner recipes rolled into one dish.
Give it a go tonight. You might just find yourself going, “This is it. Comfort, no carbs.
PrintKeto Shirataki Noodle Mac recipe
Creamy, low-carb shirataki noodle mac that tastes like classic macaroni and cheese—without the carbs or the crash. Quick, cozy, and full of flavor. This easy recipe works for anyone looking for keto diet meals, meatless healthy dinner recipes, or easy summer meals. Great with mushrooms, garlic, or veggies for endless variation.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Keto, Low-Carb
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
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1 pack shirataki noodles (200g)
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1 cup heavy cream (or coconut cream for dairy-free)
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1 clove garlic, minced
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1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
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½ cup mozzarella cheese, grated
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2 tbsp cream cheese
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1 tsp Dijon mustard
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Pinch salt
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Fresh black pepper to taste
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Optional: 1 cup shiitake mushrooms, sautéed
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Optional: ½ cup broccoli, spinach, or chopped chicken
Instructions
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Drain shirataki noodles. Rinse well under hot water for 1 minute. Pat dry.
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In a dry skillet, heat noodles for 2–3 minutes to remove moisture. Set aside.
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In a saucepan, warm cream and garlic on medium heat until slightly bubbly.
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Stir in cream cheese until melted and smooth.
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Add cheddar and mozzarella. Stir until creamy.
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Add mustard, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
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Add the noodles to the sauce and toss gently for 2 minutes to coat.
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Mix in mushrooms or veggies if using.
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Serve hot. Optional: Bake at 375°F for 5–7 minutes with extra cheese on top.
Notes
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Rinse shirataki well to remove the smell.
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Dry-frying helps improve texture.
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Swap heavy cream for coconut cream to make it dairy-free.
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Add cooked bacon or tofu for extra protein.
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Great for meal prep—store sauce and noodles separately.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420 Sugar: 2g Sodium: 480mg Fat: 36g Saturated Fat: 22g Unsaturated Fat: 12g Trans Fat: 0g Carbohydrates: 6g Fiber: 4g Protein: 14g Cholesterol: 90mg