Pasta is an easy dish to make; it's always comforting and versatile, making it a go-to dish to toss in just about any ingredient you have on hand. Pasta is also affordable and cooks quickly, but noodles can have a bit of a bad rep. Most pasta is heavy on the carbs and contains gluten, which may cause health issues if you have a gluten intolerance.
But we all know that giving up something we enjoy is not always the answer—finding a healthy balance is! Luckily, there are tons of great ways to make your favorite food less decadent and still enjoyable with these 55 healthy pasta recipes.
Related: 100+ Best Pasta Recipes
Some of the healthiest pastas include: whole-wheat pasta, chickpea pasta, lentil-based pasta, veggie noodles (zoodles!) and soba noodles. If you need a gluten-free version, be sure to look for 100% buckwheat soba noodles.
Is Pasta Healthier Than Rice?
Both pasta and rice are considered carbs, but they differ in terms of nutritional benefits to your meal. While rice offers lower calories and carbs, you can often find more protein and fiber in certain alternative pasta choices.
Related: Best Penne Pasta Recipes
Go lean: When adding meat to your pasta, be sure to go lean! Choose from boneless, skinless chicken breasts or fish for a brain-healthy option.Pack in the veggies: Add fewer noodles and more fresh or roasted veggies to your pasta for a lighter meal. Zucchini, eggplant, onions, sweet peppers, mushrooms, snow peas, tomatoes, squash, cucumber and broccoli are all great options.Skip rich, cream-based sauces: Opt for spices and olive oil, superfood-based pestos or homemade dairy-free sauces (think cashew cream sauce instead of alfredo sauce, etc.)
Upping your veggie intake and decreasing the number of creamy sauces and extra cheese added to pasta allows you to enjoy this comfort food on the regular—without the guilt.
Related: Best Vegan Pasta Recipes
Best Healthiest Pasta Recipes
With these 54 easy (and good-for-you!) pasta recipes, you'll see eating the rainbow in your pasta has its benefits. You'll also find plenty of healthy pasta recipes with dishes like Cajun Shrimp Zucchini Pasta and Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai. Then there are gluten-free swaps for favorites like Gluten-Free Mac N Cheese, Gluten-Free Ravioli and Gluten-Free Homemade Pasta. There are healthy chicken and shrimp pasta dishes, lightened-up pasta salad recipes and lots of vegetarian pasta dishes, as well!
Spring Pasta Primavera
Mark Boughton Photography
Get the recipe: Spring Pasta Primavera
Gluten-Free Copycat Hamburger Helper
Unbound Wellness
Get the recipe: Gluten-Free Copycat Hamburger Helper
Roasted Garlic Butternut Squash Kale Pasta
Uncomplicated Chef
Get the recipe: Roasted Garlic Butternut Squash Kale Pasta
Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese
Alison Ashton
Get the recipe: Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese
Campanelle Pasta With Sweet Corn, Tomatoes and Basil
Parade
Get the recipe: Campanelle Pasta With Sweet Corn, Tomatoes and Basil
Fusilli With Tahini Yogurt Sauce and Nigella Seeds
Parade
Get the recipe: Fusilli With Tahini Yogurt Sauce and Nigella Seeds
Super Green Pasta With Arugula, Almonds and Lemon
Parade
Get the recipe: Super Green Pasta With Arugula, Almonds and Lemon
Penne With Spicy Calabrian Shrimp
Parade
Get the recipe: Penne With Spicy Calabrian Shrimp
Rotini Hot Harvest Bowl
Parade
Get the recipe: Rotini Hot Harvest Bowl
Arugula Pesto Pasta
Healthy Girl Kitchen
Get the recipe: Arugula Pesto Pasta
Related: 101 Classic Simple Pasta Recipes For Dinner
Bruschetta Chicken Pasta
The Wooden Skillet
Get the recipe: Bruschetta Chicken Pasta
Asian Spinach Pasta Salad
Allergy Awesomeness
Get the recipe: Asian Spinach Pasta Salad
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
The Real Food Dieticians
Get the recipe: Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Avocado Pasta
Alpha Foodie
Get the recipe: Creamy Avocado Pasta
Avocado Cilantro Pasta Salad
Parade
Get the recipe: Avocado Cilantro Pasta Salad
Gluten-Free Cold Italian Pasta Salad
Strength and Sunshine
Get the recipe: Gluten-Free Italian Pasta Salad
Chinese Pasta Salad
Lil Luna
Get the recipe: Chinese Pasta Salad
Classic Gluten-Free Baked Ziti
Strength and Sunshine
Get the recipe: Classic Gluten-Free Baked Ziti
Gluten-Free Homemade Pasta
Good For You Gluten Free
Get the recipe: Gluten-Free Homemade Pasta
Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce
Veggies Save The Day
Get the recipe: Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce
Related: 51 Cauliflower Recipes You'll Love
Chicken Meatballs on Dairy-Free Pasta
The Pretty Bee
Get the recipe: Creamy Garlic Pasta With Chicken Meatballs (Dairy and Gluten Free)
Lasagna With Dairy-Free Cashew Ricotta
The No Gluten Girl
Get the recipe: Lasagna With Dairy-Free Cashew Ricotta
Lemon Orzo Chickpea Salad
Plant Based RD
Get the recipe: Lemon Orzo Chickpea Salad
Lemon Chicken Asparagus Pasta
Life Made Sweeter
Get the recipe: Lemon Chicken Asparagus Pasta
Hummus Pasta Salad
Bree's Vegan Life
Get the recipe: Hummus Pasta Salad
Gluten-Free Ravioli
Darn Good Veggies
Get the recipe: Gluten-Free Ravioli
Lentil Tahini Pasta
Plant Based RD
Get the recipe: Lentil Tahini Pasta
Paleo Potsticker Noodle Bowls
Real Simple Good
Get the recipe: Paleo Potsticker Noodle Bowls
Tahini Pasta
Plant Based Jess
Get the recipe: Tahini Pasta
Related: Best Hummus Recipe Ever
Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai
Wholesome Yum
Get the recipe: Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai
Mediterranean Pasta
Dishing Out Health
Get the recipe: Weeknight Mediterranean Pasta
Vegan Macaroni Salad
Simple Veganista
Get the recipe: Vegan Macaroni Salad
Cajun Chicken Pasta
Nyssa's Kitchen
Get the recipe: Cajun Chicken Pasta
Broccoli Pesto Pasta Salad
I Heart Umami
Get the recipe: Broccoli Pesto Pasta Salad
Baked Feta Pasta With Cherry Tomatoes
The Hidden Veggies
Get the recipe: Vegan Baked Feta Pasta With Cherry Tomatoes
Vegan Mac and Cheese
Mindful Avocado
Get the recipe: Vegan Mac and Cheese
Scallops Over Lemony Pasta
Thriving with Less
Get the recipe: Vegan Oyster Mushroom Scallops and Pasta
Ramen Noodle Salad
V Nutrition
Get the recipe: Vegan Ramen Noodle Salad
Pasta With Veggies, Zoodles, Spinach and Garlic Prawns
Walder Wellness
Get the recipe: Pasta With Veggies, Zoodles, Spinach and Garlic Prawns
Related: 100+ Best Shrimp Recipes
Pizza Casserole
Paleo Running Momma
Get the recipe: Paleo Pizza Casserole
Vegan Stuffed Shells
The Wooden Skillet
Get the recipe: Vegan Stuffed Shells
Vegetable Spaghetti
My Plant Based Family
Get the recipe: Vegetable Spaghetti
Cajun Shrimp Zucchini Pasta
Wicked Spatula
Get the recipe: Cajun Shrimp Zucchini Pasta
Healthyish Hamburger Helper
Fed and Full
Get the recipe: Healthyish Hamburger Helper
Keto Shrimp Alfredo With Tofu Shirataki Noodles
Housewives of Frederick County
Get the recipe: Keto Shrimp Alfredo With Tofu Shirataki Noodles
Five Ingredient Pasta With Sausage and Spinach
Hungry Hobby
Get the recipe: Five Ingredient Pasta With Sausage and Spinach
Tuna Pasta Salad
Unbound Wellness
Get the recipe: Tuna Pasta Salad
Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce
Eat with Clarity
Get the recipe: Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce
Lemon Dairy-Free Pasta Sauce
Veggies Save the Day
Get the recipe: Lemon Cashew Cream Pasta Sauce
Related: 53 Dairy-Free Ice Cream Recipes for Vegans
Vegetable Lo Mein
Healthier Steps
Get the recipe: Vegetable Lo Mein
Pasta e Fagioli
Eating Gluten and Dairy Free
Get the recipe: Pasta e Fagioli
BLT Pasta
The Urben Life
Get the recipe: BLT Pasta Salad
Roasted Vegetable Pasta
Love and Lemons
Get the recipe: Roasted Vegetable Pasta
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Related: 30 Types of Pasta From Angel Hair to Ziti
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