Best Spaghetti Substitutes for Pasta Night and Low-Carb Diets
The best substitute for spaghetti is Linguine at a 1:1 ratio. It works best for seafood sauces, pesto, cream sauces. There are 4 other alternatives below, each with exact ratios and usage notes.
Best Substitute
Linguine
1:1
Slightly wider and flatter than spaghetti but nearly interchangeable. Holds thicker sauces slightly better.
What are the other substitutes for spaghetti?
Angel Hair (Capellini)
1:1
Thinner than spaghetti with a more delicate texture. Cooks 2-3 minutes faster. Best with light sauces.
Bucatini
1:1
Similar to spaghetti but slightly thicker with a hollow center. Holds extra sauce inside each strand.
Spaghetti Squash
1 medium squash = ~4 cups
Low-carb, gluten-free alternative. Roast and scrape to create spaghetti-like strands.
Zucchini Noodles (Zoodles)
2 medium zucchini per serving
Spiralized zucchini as a low-carb, gluten-free pasta alternative. Don't overcook or they become watery.
What should you know before substituting spaghetti?
Cook spaghetti in a large pot with plenty of salted water (1 tablespoon salt per quart). Reserve a cup of starchy pasta water before draining to help bind sauces. Traditional Italian spaghetti is slightly thicker than most American brands.
How do you substitute spaghetti in a recipe?
A long, thin, cylindrical pasta that is one of the most popular pasta shapes worldwide. Spaghetti is traditionally made from durum wheat semolina and is the classic pairing for tomato-based sauces, carbonara, aglio e olio, and bolognese.
The best substitute for spaghetti depends on what role it plays in your recipe. Our top recommendation is Linguine (1:1), which works well for seafood sauces, pesto, cream sauces.
If you need a different option, Angel Hair (Capellini) (1:1) is another reliable choice. Thinner than spaghetti with a more delicate texture. Cooks 2-3 minutes faster. Best with light sauces.
When substituting spaghetti, consider the flavor profile, texture, and cooking method of your recipe. For vegan alternatives, look for the options marked with the vegan badge above.
Substitution ratios verified against USDA FoodData Central and FoodSafety.gov. See our testing methodology for details.
Frequently Asked Questions
What pasta can I use instead of spaghetti?
Linguine is the closest pasta substitute for spaghetti, with a slightly wider, flatter shape that works with all the same sauces. Bucatini (hollow spaghetti) and angel hair (thinner spaghetti) are also excellent alternatives.
What is a low-carb substitute for spaghetti?
Spaghetti squash is the best low-carb substitute, naturally forming spaghetti-like strands when roasted. Zucchini noodles (zoodles) are another popular option. Both are gluten-free, low in calories, and work well with light sauces.
Can I use linguine instead of spaghetti?
Yes, linguine is nearly interchangeable with spaghetti at a 1:1 ratio. Linguine is slightly wider and flatter, which helps it hold thicker or chunkier sauces slightly better than round spaghetti.