Everyone loves pasta, but some people choose to swear off it for the sake of their diets. As it turns out, that’s not completely necessary. There are ways to turn your favorite dishes into healthy pasta recipes, such as Pasta Primavera, vegan pasta recipes, and even high protein meals. It all comes down to the balance of ingredients and their nutritional value. Here are some healthy pasta recipes to keep your taste buds and your waistline happy.
Broccoli Bolognese with Orecchiette
First rule of vegetables: eat your broccoli! Make orecchiette pasta in a garlic butter sauce with finely cut broccoli and Italian sausage. This recipe is full of protein and vitamins and is lighter than the typical bolognese recipe. Try it now on BonAppetit.com.
Paccheri with Shellfish, Squid, and Tomatoes
Fish is a heart-healthy protein alternative to red meat, and a crucial part of the Mediterranean diet. Italian seafood pasta recipes are known for their use of multiple types of seafood in one dish, like this healthy pasta recipe prepared with paccheri pasta and a light tomato sauce. Learn how to make Paccheri with Shellfish, Squid and Tomatoes on BonApetit.com.
Gluten-Free Penne Primavera
Pasta Primavera is one of the most popular vegetable pasta recipes, featuring ingredients such as carrots, tomatoes, broccoli and peas. Make Penne Primavera with your favorite brand of gluten-free penne pasta. Dress simply with olive oil and seasonings. Try this recipe for Penne Primavera on SpryLiving.com.
Grilled Chicken and Asparagus Pesto Pasta
Eating well-rounded, high protein meals is the key to maintaining a healthy diet. This healthy pasta recipe is saturated with vitamins and proteins thanks to the grilled chicken, pine nuts, and asparagus. Add in the pesto sauce, and the green color of this dish even makes it look healthy! Get the recipe at RecipeRunner.com.
Butternut Squash Fettuccine Alfredo
The texture of mashed butternut squash is similar to a thick sauce, giving your pasta dish a smooth, creamy texture without using actual cream. The squash is given an added dimension of savory flavor with either chicken broth or vegetable broth, and milk. This semi-sweet, cozy pasta dish is especially enjoyable in the cold months. Get the recipe from BowlOfDelicious.com.
Whole Wheat Pasta with Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce
Use your favorite whole wheat pasta for this delicious vegan pasta recipe. The sun-dried tomatoes in the sauce make for a rich, slightly tart flavor while the onions and spinach add a more rustic, earthy taste. Spinach is rich in iron and other vitamins and minerals that make for a healthy diet. Learn how to make it on HalfBakedHarvest.com.
Ratatouille Pasta
Ratatouille is a French dish made with eggplant, zucchini, and other vegetables. It is typically dressed either in olive oil or a light tomato sauce. Rest Ratatouille on a bed of your favorite type of Italian pasta for a healthy pasta recipe rich in vitamins and minerals. Learn how to make this dish on BonAppetit.com.
Shrimp Pasta in a Light Cream Sauce
Anyone looking for a healthy recipe will usually skip any dish with the slightest mention of cream sauce, but this shrimp pasta recipe will make you think again. Instead of cream, this seafood pasta calls for low-fat milk and flour, which maintains the creaminess you want and loses the fat you don’t. Read the full recipe for Skinny Cajun Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo at StylishCravings.com. Try these traditional Italian seafood recipes.
Lemon Orzo with Peas
Orzo pasta is a very small, rice-shaped pasta that shines in simple recipes. To make Lemon Orzo with Peas, all that is needed is olive oil, lemons, broth, garlic, and some seasoning. Add some grated Parmesan cheese on top and this orzo pasta recipe is a healthy bowl of comfort food that is bright and fresh. Get the recipe at OhSweetBasil.com.
Fusilli with Sausage, Kale, and Butternut Squash
This fusilli pasta dish has a lot of great texture thanks to the coils of the noodles, the rustic kale, and the soft but firm butternut squash. Kale is also what is known as a superfood; absolutely packed with all types of nutrients. Dress this pasta simply with olive oil and seasonings. Get the recipe at LeMoineFamilyKitch.com.