Hot To Go ... Or Stay In And Cook: ZENB Alternatives To Your Favorite Takeout
At the end of a long week, it’s hard to ignore the temptation of takeout night. Opening those steamy containers, savoring the rich aromas, and digging into flavors from around the world is a true pleasure. But ordering out too often can be less-than-friendly on the wallet and to your health goals, too. How about this as a helpful life hack: You can enjoy your go-to takeout flavors, but with better nutrition and more sustainable ingredients, without having to pick up the phone.
So many takeout favorites can be made at home and remixed with ZENB’s nutrient-dense yellow pea pasta and other innovative products. We dug into our epic recipe collection to find some supremely satisfying swaps for your Friday-night takeout favorites that are delicious, satisfying, and ready to fuel your weekend adventures.
Instead of French Fries: ZENB Pasta Chips or ZENB Cracker Crisps
French fries are a truly craveable side dish, but the deep-frying and greasy aftertaste can often leave you feeling like you’re keeping it less than 💯. That doesn’t mean you can’t have a great salty snack! ZENB Pasta Chips and Cracker Crisps are stellar stand-ins for fries when you're after something crunchy, savory, and loaded with flavor.
ZENB Pasta Chips are made from our 100% yellow pea pasta, offering a unique crunch with a healthier nutrient profile than traditional chips. Rich in protein and fiber, these are made for pairing with your favorite dip or for munching alongside a sandwich. Making these at home in your air fryer means they’re ready in no time, and the umami-rich seasoning blend makes every bite a delight.
ZENB Cracker Crisps are also made from yellow peas, with herbs and spices for creative flavor combos, like Everything n’ Dill and Rosemary n’ Chia. A bowl of these with a homemade green goddess dip, hummus, or guacamole is a perfect accompaniment for a movie night or prime-time sports game.
Instead of Takeout Ramen: Upgrade to ZENB Ramen
There’s something so restorative about ramen — warm, comforting broth, chewy noodles, veggies, and protein all in one beautiful bowl. But between the sodium, oil, and hidden additives, traditional takeout ramen can be heavy. Enter ZENB Ramen noodles, made from just one ingredient: yellow peas. Our broth flavors (Vegan Tonkotsu, Shoyu, and Spicy Miso) are inspired by traditional Japanese cuisine and are plant-based. ZENB’s next-level noods are a gluten-free, high-protein and high-fiber way to enjoy this beloved comfort food.
ZENB Ramen cooks in minutes, so you can pull it together anytime. Top it with anything you love. Some examples include:
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Soft-boiled eggs or cubes of roasted tofu, for a creamy texture and protein boost
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Fresh greens, like spinach or bok choy, for added fiber and color
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Sliced mushrooms, for a dose of umami
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Green onions and sesame seeds to enhance flavor and crunch
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Chili crisp or sriracha for a spicy kick
Instead of Thai Takeout: Dish Up ZENB Chicken Penne Pad Thai or Sweet & Spicy Thai-Style Agile Skillet
Thai cuisine is all about balance — sweet, spicy, salty, and sour flavors singing in harmony. For those nights when you're craving Thai but want a lighter option, try these ZENB recipes at home!
ZENB Chicken Penne Pad Thai
This dish combines ZENB Penne with classic Pad Thai flavors, without the refined carbs. The secret is in the sauce, which is made from a powerful mix of fish sauce, lime juice, soy sauce, brown sugar and sambal oelek. Scallions, crushed peanuts, and cilantro add crunch and herbaceousness to tie the dish together.
ZENB Sweet & Spicy Thai-Style Agile Skillet
If fewer dishes sounds like a pretty chill end to the day, make ZENB Sweet & Spicy Thai-Style Agile Skillet, a pre-portioned, veggie-packed meal that cooks up in less than 30 minutes and requires only one skillet. ZENB Sweet Thai Pasta Skillet Sauce is a shortcut to creamy peanut sauce, and ZENB Agile cooks while it simmers in the sauce — no extra boiling required.
Instead of Sushi: Dive into a Shrimp “Poke” ZENB Penne Bowl
If sushi night is a favorite in your household, we totally get it. But this poke-inspired pasta bowl might become a new favorite when you’re in the mood to experiment (and save a few bucks). This fresh and playful twist delivers the same satisfaction as a classic sushi roll, with plenty of plant-based protein and fiber.
Simply cook the penne and toss it with health-forward ingredients, like cucumber, tomatoes, sliced radishes, and edamame. Add a drizzle of zesty mayo sauce and top with shrimp or any protein of choice (like tofu, to keep it vegetarian).
Other toppings and garnish options include: shredded carrots, sliced avocado, finely shredded purple cabbage or lettuce, diced mango, navel orange segments, mint leaves, sliced green onions and nori strips. Add a pinch of wasabi, or a sprinkle of furikake seasoning, for extra sushi vibes.
Instead of Italian Takeout: Indulge in ZENB Classic Meat & Veggie Lasagna or ZENB Elbows Meatball Parm Pasta Skillet
Italian food is all about tradition, and ZENB pays homage to Italian-American fare with a healthier spin on the classics. If you’re after the gooey, cheesy layers of a classic lasagna or a saucy meatball-and-macaroni bake, you don’t have to sacrifice taste for health.
ZENB Classic Meat & Veggie Lasagna
With layers of pasta, lean protein, and your favorite veggies, this ZENB lasagna is rich in flavor and nutrients. Use no-boil ZENB Lasagna Sheets, which hold up no problem to the generous amount of filling.
ZENB Elbows Meatball Parm Pasta Skillet
For a baked pasta casserole (that makes great leftovers for lunch!), try this superb skillet with ZENB Elbows, homemade beef meatballs, marinara, and plenty of mozzarella for that post-worthy cheese pull.
There are so many more recipes to discover in the ZENB recipe collection ... find more of your favorite takeout alternatives! To keep things fresh in the kitchen, follow ZENB on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, and check out our blog. If you’re looking for ZENB yellow pea pasta near you, use our convenient store locator to find retailers in your area!
