High-protein pasta is increasingly popular among health-conscious, fitness-conscious and vegetarian people. Here are eight well-known brands from around the world that not only taste great, but also provide rich plant-based protein to suit diverse dietary needs.
1. Barilla
Country: Italy
Barilla is an Italian family business founded in 1877 by Pietro Barilla in Parma, Italy.
Today, Barilla is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of pasta, sauces and other food products, selling its products in more than 100 countries.
Barilla is known for its high-quality products and respect for traditional Italian culinary culture.
Brand history and development
Origins and early development: Pietro Barilla initially opened a bakery and pasta shop, which was later transformed into a factory specializing in pasta production.Today, Barilla is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of pasta, sauces and other food products, selling its products in more than 100 countries.
Barilla is known for its high-quality products and respect for traditional Italian culinary culture.
Modernization process: In the 20th century, with the development of industrialization, Barilla continued to expand its scale, introduced advanced production processes, and began to expand into the international market.
Global layout: By the 21st century, Barilla has become a world-renowned brand, not only occupying an important position in the European market, but also having a wide consumer base in North America, Asia and other places.
Barilla High Protein Noodle Series
To meet the needs of modern consumers for healthier diets, Barilla has launched a variety of high-protein versions of pasta. These products are designed to provide higher nutritional value while maintaining the traditional delicious taste.
Main ingredients: Durum Wheat, legume powder (such as pea protein powder or lentil powder) and water.
Nutritional Value
Take Barilla’s typical high-protein pasta as an example:
Contains about 25 grams of protein per 100 grams: This is much higher than regular pasta (regular pasta contains about 12-14 grams of protein per 100 grams).
Low in fat: High-protein noodles are usually lower in fat, which helps control overall calorie intake.
Rich in dietary fiber: Due to the addition of bean flour, these noodles tend to contain more dietary fiber, which helps promote digestive health.
2. De Cecco
Country: Italy
De Cecco is a long-established Italian company that specializes in the production of high-quality pasta and other food products. Since its founding in 1886, De Cecco has been committed to using traditional craftsmanship combined with modern technology to make high-quality pasta, and its products are renowned worldwide.
Brand history and development
Origin: De Cecco was founded by the De Cecco family in 1886 in Frosinone, Abruzzo, Italy. Initially, the company was a flour mill, but later transformed into a company specializing in the production of pasta.
Quality Commitment: De Cecco is well-known for its strict quality control and selection of raw materials. It always insists on using Durum Wheat as the main raw material and only uses pure mountain spring water for processing.
Global development: Today, De Cecco’s products are sold in more than 100 countries and regions on five continents, making it one of the largest pasta manufacturers in the world.
De Cecco High Protein Noodle Series
Although De Cecco is known for its traditional, high-quality pasta, as the market demand for health and nutrition grows, they have also launched product lines that meet specific dietary needs, including high-protein versions of pasta.
Main ingredients: Similar to the Barilla brand.
Nutritional Value
It is high in protein (every 100 grams can provide about 20-25 grams or even more protein), low in fat and rich in dietary fiber.
3. Garofalo
Garofalo is a pasta manufacturer with a long history, originating in 1789 in the southern Italian city of Gragnano, a region renowned for its exceptional pasta-making tradition. Gragnano is known as the “City of Pasta” because of its unique climate conditions that are perfect for drying pasta. Garofalo is renowned for the high quality of its products and its respect for tradition, and enjoys a high reputation worldwide.
Garofalo High Protein Noodle Series
With the rise of health awareness and the increase in nutritional needs, Garofalo has also launched product lines that meet specific health needs, including high-protein versions of pasta. Such products are designed to provide higher nutritional value, especially for those who want to increase their daily protein intake.
Main ingredients: Similar to the Barilla brand.
4. Ancient Harvest
Ancient Harvest is a brand that specializes in producing organic and non-GMO foods and is known for its innovative, plant-based pasta products. The brand excels at incorporating ancient grains and other plant-based ingredients to craft healthy, nutritious foods, offering consumers both delicious and nutritious dietary options.
Brand history and development
Origin: Ancient Harvest was founded in the 1980s and was originally known for introducing quinoa to the US market. As a superfood, quinoa quickly gained popularity due to its high nutritional value and ability to adapt to various cooking methods.
Expansion and Innovation: Over time, Ancient Harvest has not only been limited to quinoa products, but has also launched a variety of foods based on other plant-based ingredients, including a high-protein pasta series. These products use beans, peas, etc. as the main ingredients to meet the needs of consumers who are gluten-free, vegetarian or have increased protein intake.
Ancient Harvest High Protein Noodle Series
Ancient Harvest’s high-protein noodles are designed for those seeking to increase their daily protein intake, especially vegetarians, athletes and those who are concerned about their health. These noodles are usually gluten-free and rich in plant-based protein, making them an ideal healthy alternative.
Main ingredients: Pulse flour (such as adzuki bean flour, mung bean flour, etc.), durum wheat semolina or other traditional flour substitutes and water.
Nutritional Value
High in protein, low in fat and rich in dietary fiber.
5. Explore Cuisine
Country: USA
Explore Cuisine is a brand that specializes in producing high-quality, healthy and nutritious pasta. The brand is particularly known for its innovative plant-based noodles, which are not only high in protein and fiber, but are also often gluten-free, making them suitable for a variety of dietary needs, including vegetarians, vegans and those with gluten sensitivities.
Brand history and development
Origin and Mission: Explore Cuisine is committed to making pasta using beans, lentils, chickpeas and other plant-based ingredients, aiming to provide food options that are both delicious and healthy. Its product line emphasizes high protein, low carbohydrates and high fiber to meet the needs of modern consumers for healthy eating.
Explore Cuisine High Protein Noodle Series
Explore Cuisine’s range of high-protein noodles are particularly popular, mainly because they offer a higher nutritional value than traditional wheat pasta, especially in terms of protein and dietary fiber content. Not only do these noodles help to increase satiety, but they also support muscle repair and growth, making them perfect for athletes or anyone looking to increase their daily protein intake.
Main ingredients: Bean flour (such as red bean flour, mung bean flour, etc.), lentil flour (Lentil Flour), chickpea flour (Chickpea Flour), other plant ingredients and water.
Specific product examples:
Organic Edamame & Mung Bean Fettuccine
Main ingredients: organic soybeans (edamame), mung bean powder.
Nutritional highlights: Each serving (85 grams) contains 24 grams of protein and 11 grams of dietary fiber.
Red Lentil Spaghetti
Main ingredients: Red lentil flour.
Nutritional highlights: Each serving (85 g) contains 25 g of protein and 9 g of dietary fiber.
Green Lentil Penne
Main ingredients: Green lentil flour.
Nutritional highlights: Each serving (85 g) contains 22 g of protein and 11 g of dietary fiber.
6. Banza
Country: USA
Banza is a relatively new brand that focuses on producing chickpea-based pasta, aiming to provide high-protein, high-fiber, and low-net-carb options.
Banza’s products are particularly suitable for those seeking to eat healthier, including athletes, vegetarians, and those who are sensitive to gluten or follow a gluten-free diet.
Brand history and development
Origin: Banza was founded in 2014 by Brian Rudolph and his brother Scott Rudolph. While searching for a healthier alternative to pasta, Brian discovered the potential of chickpea flour and decided to use this ingredient to make pasta.
Mission and Vision: Banza’s goal is to help people achieve healthy eating goals more easily by providing delicious, nutritious foods. Its product line is not limited to traditional pasta shapes, but also includes macaroni, spiral noodles and other forms.
Banza High Protein Noodle Series
Banza’s pasta is known for its high protein content and rich dietary fiber, properties that make it an ideal alternative to traditional wheat pasta.
Banza’s products are often gluten-free, making them ideal for those with gluten intolerance or those pursuing a gluten-free lifestyle.
Main ingredients: chickpea flour, pea starch, tapioca flour and water.
Specific product examples:
Banza Chickpea Penne，Chickpea Rotini， Chickpea Spaghetti
Main ingredients: chickpea flour, pea starch, tapioca flour.
Nutritional highlights: Each serving (85 grams) contains 25 grams of protein, 8 grams of dietary fiber, and 39 grams of total carbohydrates (including 27 grams of net carbohydrates).
7. Tolerant Foods
Country: Canada
Tolerant Foods is a brand that specializes in high-protein, gluten-free pasta for those with gluten sensitivity or specific dietary needs, such as vegetarians and consumers seeking to increase their daily protein intake.
Consumers love Tolerant Foods products for their simple and pure ingredient list and excellent nutritional value.
Brand history and development
Origin: Tolerant Foods was founded around 2010 to provide the market with a healthier, more nutritious alternative to pasta. The brand emphasizes the use of single or small amounts of natural ingredients to make food, and is committed to meeting modern consumers’ pursuit of clean label products.
Mission and Vision: Tolerant Foods’ goal is to help people more easily achieve healthy eating goals by providing delicious and nutritious foods. Its product line is not limited to traditional pasta shapes, but also includes various bean-based noodle forms, such as lentil noodles, red kidney bean noodles, etc.
Tolerant Foods High Protein Noodle Series
Tolerant Foods’ pasta is known for its high protein content and rich dietary fiber, properties that make it an ideal alternative to traditional wheat pasta. All Tolerant Foods products are gluten-free, making them perfect for those with gluten intolerance or pursuing a gluten-free lifestyle.
Main ingredients: Organic black bean powder, organic red kidney bean powder, organic mung bean powder and water.
Specific product examples:
Organic Black Bean Spaghetti
Main ingredients: 100% organic black bean powder.
Nutritional highlights: Each serving (85 grams) contains 23 grams of protein, 15 grams of dietary fiber, and 37 grams of total carbohydrates (including 22 grams of net carbohydrates).
Organic Red Lentil Penne
Main ingredients: 100% organic red kidney bean powder.
Nutritional highlights: Each serving (85 grams) contains 21 grams of protein, 9 grams of dietary fiber, and 41 grams of total carbohydrates (including 32 grams of net carbohydrates).
Organic Green Lentil Rotini
Main ingredients: 100% organic mung bean powder.
Nutritional highlights: Each serving (85g) contains 20g protein, 11g dietary fiber, 39g total carbohydrates (including 28g net carbohydrates)
8. Hethstia
Country: China
Hethstia is a brand that specializes in the production of konjac noodles and high-protein noodles. Its products are suitable for people on a diet, diabetics, vegetarians and fitness enthusiasts.
Brand history and development
In 2018, Hethstia discovered a traditional high-protein noodle recipe in Tibet. Inspired, the team developed chewy, pasta-like konjac protein noodles through an accidental breakthrough—blending konjac gum and plant proteins. The result: a delicious, low-carb noodle with 3x the protein of regular pasta.
Mission and Vision: To deliver a healthy lifestyle with Hethstia from farm to plate for everyone. Hethsia is all about exploring healthier diets with Konjac food, high-protein pasta, and brown rice. Let’s exchange and learn together how to lead a healthier life.
Innovation: We continue innovating in the food development process and are creating a new food format.
Hethstia High Protein Noodle Series
- Vegan, Plant-based Protein.
- Non-fried, Soft noodles.
- 40% Less Sodium.
- NON-GMO, and organic noodles.
- Classic Broth Flavor.
- Shelf stable, Needs no refrigeration.
Main ingredients: Active wheat gluten, pea protein, wheat flour, buckwheat flour, pea fiber powder, glutinous rice flour, and konjac flour.
Specific product examples:
High Protein Pasta Spicy Curry Flavor
Nutritional highlights: Each serving (66 g) contains 32 g of protein, 4 g of dietary fiber, and 220 g of total carbohydrates.
High Protein Pasta Chicken Flavor
Nutritional highlights: Each serving (66 g) contains 32 g of protein, 5 g of dietary fiber, and 220 g of total carbohydrates.High Protein Pasta Beef Flavor
Nutritional highlights: Each serving (66 g) contains 32 g of protein, 5 g of dietary fiber, and 230 g of total carbohydrates.
Summary: High protein pasta brands recommendation comparison table
| Brand | Country | Protein Content | Gluten-free | Main Ingredients |
| Barilla | Italy | About 25g/100g | No | Durum wheat + pea flour |
| De Cecco | Italy | 20-25g/100g | No | Durum wheat + bean flour |
| Garofalo | Italy | 20-25g/100g | No | Durum wheat + pea flour |
| Ancient Harvest | USA | 20-25g/100g | Yes | Pulses + Grains |
| Explore Cuisine | USA | 22-25g/85g | Yes | Bean powder |
| Banza | USA | 25g/85g | Yes | Chickpea flour |
| Tolerant Foods | Canada | 20-23g/85g | Yes | Organic beans |
| Hethstia | China | 32g/66g | No | Pea protein + wheat flour + konjac flour |
Selection suggestions:
If you are looking for high protein content, Hethstia and Banza are the best choices.
If you insist on a gluten-free diet, Explore Cuisine, Tolerant Foods, and Ancient Harvest are better.
If you prefer traditional taste but want to improve nutrition, you can choose traditional Italian brands such as Barilla or De Cecco.
