20+ Easy and Healthy Pasta Recipes + Pasta Salad!
20+ Easy and Healthy Pasta Recipes + Pasta Salad!
Pasta makes great fillings, but they don’t have to be heavy. Try these healthy pasta recipes with veggies, lean meat, and a light sauce!
More Favorites: Chicken Pasta Recipes, Easy Pasta Recipes, Macaroni Pasta Recipes, Vegetarian Pasta Recipes
Our Favorite Healthy Pasta
Is there such a thing as a healthy pasta recipe?
I guess it all depends on the type of diet you normally follow. As for the recipes I’ve listed below, I’m trying to find recipes that are lower in calories, add vegetables, or use lean meats like chicken.
I’ve listed a few of our favorite pasta entrees, as well as different pasta salads. Salads can often be used as a side or main course. Between these two lists, I’m sure you’ll be able to find healthy foods that your family will love. Also, you can always make minor changes to the recipe, such as reducing butter or other oils or seasonings, to make it lighter. đ
Tips for Making Pasta Healthy
low carb pasta: Before we get into the recipe list, I want to share some pasta substitutes to make these dishes healthier. I use spaghetti squash in some of my pasta bakes and my kids didn’t even notice!
- Spaghetti Squash
- Spiral Vegetables – steamed or cooked to soften them
- Eggplant Lasagna
- Cabbage Noodles
- tofu noodles
- Seaweed Pasta
- Zucchini Noodles
Eating vegetables secretly: Many of our recipes use obvious vegetables as an integral part of the dish. Unfortunately, this can be a turn off for kids and even some adults!
Sneaking vegetables into pasta dishes is fairly simple, especially when the sauce is creamy. I especially like adding shredded carrots or zucchini to my red sauce. Just sauté the veggies in a pan with a little olive oil until tender, then pour them into your favorite sauce.sneaky sneaky sneaky
See the individual recipe posts for more tips About recipe substitution, storage information, etc.
lighter pasta recipes
lighter pasta recipes
Vegetables, light sauces, and lean meats all help make these pasta recipes a little healthier! Feel free to use different types of pastaâsuch as vegan, whole-wheat, or gluten-freeâand let these recipes fit your dietary needs.
Main Dish Pasta Primavera Recipe
A tried and true dinner recipe! Delicious pasta filled with vegetables like zucchini, squash, bell peppers and tomatoes.
Total time: 35 minutes
Check out this recipe for Entree Zucchini Ribbons and Pasta Recipe
Zucchini Ribbons and Creamy Lemony Basil Pasta – So delicious and under 400 calories!
Total time: 30 minutes
Main Dish Pesto Pasta Recipe
This Chicken Pesto Pasta is a delicious and easy dinner idea sure to please. It’s filled with bowtie pasta, chicken nuggets, cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and pesto, making it a new go-to meal recipe.
Total time: 25 minutes
Check out this recipe for Entree Lemony Asparagus Pasta Recipe
This Lemony Asparagus Pasta is simple yet tastes great! Made with macaroni, mixed with asparagus and covered in a cheese sauce with a hint of lemon.
Total time: 25 minutes
Check out this recipe for Entree Chicken Asparagus Pasta Bake Recipe
Delicious Cheesy Chicken Asparagus Pasta Baked A Favorite Dish Topped With Panko And Baked To Crispy Perfection! !
Total time: 45 minutes
Check out this recipe for Main Dish Garlic Butter Pasta Recipe
Easy Garlic Butter Pasta is filled with veggies and sprinkled with Parmesan cheese. It’s simple and full of flavor!
Total time: 30 minutes
Check out this recipe for Main Dish Bruschetta Chicken Pasta Recipe
Easy and delicious Chicken Bruschetta Pasta is a hot pasta filled with all the flavors of a classic Bruschetta – chicken, tomatoes, basil and mozzarella.
Total time: 25 minutes
Check out this recipe for Main Dish Chicken Pasta Recipe
This easy recipe calls for chicken, spaghetti, chicken cream, salsa, sour cream, and cheese, making it the epitome of comfort food.
Total time: 45 minutes
Check out this recipe for Main Dish Roasted Spaghetti Squash Recipe
Learn how to cook spaghetti squash perfectly every time with this fabulous recipe! Tender shredded loofah tossed with cheese, tomatoes and a little basil is healthy and delicious!
Total time: 40 minutes
Check out this recipe for Main Dish Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe
This Creamy Turkish Tetrazzini is an easy and delicious pasta casserole. It’s perfect for using leftover holiday turkey, but is a crowd favorite all year round!
Total time: 45 minutes
check out this recipe
Healthy Pasta Salad
Healthy Pasta Salad
Many of these pasta salad recipes include vegetables, lean meats, and oil-based dressings instead of heavier mayo dressings.
More ideas for making it healthy include:
- Substitute nonfat Greek yogurt for mayonnaise in sauces
- Use whole wheat pasta
- If it contains cheese, use low-fat or part-skim cheese
Salad, Side Dish Layered Pasta Salad Recipe
A dish that your taste buds and eyes can’t put it down! This beautiful layered pasta salad is filled with your favorite toppings, including pasta, chicken, peas, lettuce, celery, and more.
Total time: 13 minutes
Check out this recipe for Salad Taco Pasta Salad Recipe
A delicious Taco Pasta Salad with beans, corn, tomatoes, avocado and more! !
Total time: 15 minutes
Check out this recipe for a side dish Easy Pasta Salad Recipe
Easy and delicious pasta salad recipe with rotini pasta, olives, tomatoes and cheese in Italian dressing! It only takes a few minutes to make and is perfect for any gathering, including barbecues and the holidays.
Total time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Check out this recipe for Salad Greek Pasta Salad Recipe
This delicious Greek Pasta Salad features pasta rotini, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and feta cheese, and is topped with a delicious Greek dressing! This is our new pasta salad, light and refreshing.
Total time: 20 minutes
Check out this recipe for Appetizer, Side Bow Pasta Salad Recipe for a great summer dish – Bow Tie Pasta Salad Recipe on lilluna.com Delicious pasta, veggies, and dressing!
Total time: 20 minutes
Appetizers, Salads Chinese Pasta Salad Recipe
Chinese Pasta Salad – Filled with lettuce, noodles, fried wontons and more, tossed with a delicious homemade dressing.
Total time: 6 minutes
Check out this recipe for Entree, Salad Vegetable Pasta Salad Recipe
A delicious vegan pasta salad filled with your favorite veggies and served with a homemade balsamic dressing and parmesan cheese.
Total time: 30 minutes
Salad Fresh Mozzarella Pasta Salad Recipe
Easy Fresh Mozzarella Pasta Salad is light and delicious. This easy salad is a new favorite!
Total time: 15 minutes
Check out this recipe for Salad Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe
Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad is a light, full-flavored dish that’s perfect for potlucks, parties, barbecues and gatherings!
Total time: 15 minutes
Check out this recipe for Salad Dumplings Salad Recipe
Super delicious and easy tortellini salad with tortellini, salad, ranch, tomatoes and bacon bits – perfect for summer!
Total time: 20 minutes
check out this recipe