30+ Healthy Pasta Recipes (Easy & Comforting!) (2024)

There’s nothing better than a warm, cozy bowl of pasta for dinner! Especially when it’s full of nutrition and made with better-for-you ingredients. These 30+ Healthy Pasta Recipes are easy, comforting, and some of my personal favorites for everyday meals!

RELATED: 100+ Quick Healthy Dinners (30 Minutes Or Less)

The BEST Healthy Pasta

Looking for the best healthy pasta? I love using chickpea pasta and lentil pasta in so many of my recipes. Other options include whole wheat pasta, gluten-free pasta, or pasta alternatives (like zucchini noodles)! Here are a few of my favorite everyday healthy pasta brands for weeknight dinners:

30+ Healthy Pasta Recipes

1. Chicken Pesto Pasta Bake

ThisChicken Pesto Pasta Bakeis the ULTIMATE easy weeknight dinner. Made with cooked chicken, spinach basil pesto, whole wheat or lentil pasta, summer squash, tomatoes, and mozzarella, this flavorful meal is healthy and perfect for the entire family!

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2. 10-Minute Avocado Pasta Sauce

Want to know what the best pasta sauce is? This Avocado Pasta Sauce can be made in 10-minutes or less! It’s quick, easy, healthy, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and delicious. Perfect for a healthy pasta dinner tonight!

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3. Healthy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole

Whole wheat pasta, chicken, and broccoli in an easy-to-make creamy cashew sauce that can be ready in 30 minutes. ThisHealthy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casseroleis EVERYTHING and perfect for a quick, weeknight dinner!

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4.

When homestyle cooking, comfort food, and healthy ingredients come together like this Mushroom & Spinach Pasta Bake did, it’s a total celebration in our household. This healthy pasta recipe is perfect as an easy, comforting, everyday meal!

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5.

This Spinach & Mushroom Vegetarian Lasagna is the BEST weeknight dinner recipe! Easy to make, this meal can even be prepped in advance and baked later. If you’ve been on the search for a flavorful and healthy vegetarian dinner that the entire family will love, then this recipe recipe is for you!

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6. Lemon Garlic Eggplant Mushroom Orzo

One of the BEST pasta recipes for summer, this Lemon Garlic Eggplant Mushroom Orzo recipe is delicious! Made with eggplant, savory mushrooms, fresh garlic, delicious orzo pasta, and a bright touch of lemon, you can’t beat the flavors in this recipe. Garnish with fresh basil for an easy, one-skillet vegetarian and healthy pasta recipe the entire family will love!

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7. Creamy Salmon Pasta Recipe

Dairy free, creamy, and DELICIOUS, thisCreamy Salmon Pasta Recipeis easy to put together and can be made in 30 minutes or less. Perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner!

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8. Chicken Tomato Pesto Burrata Pasta

Savory, creamy, and delicious! There’s nothing like this Chicken Tomato Pesto Burrata Pasta recipe for a flavorful dinner that everyone will love. Make this easy and wholesome pasta burrata recipe in just 30 minutes!

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9. Creamy Pumpkin Pasta

All things fall, all things pumpkin, all things pasta. This recipe a dream come true! Creamy Pumpkin Pasta that’s the BEST for a quick, easy, healthy, and comfort food dinner on a cool, fall evening!

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10. The BEST Easy Healthy Lasagna Recipe

If you’ve been on the search for the ULTIMATE weeknight dinner, then look no further. This Easy Healthy Lasagna Recipe is the cheesiest, gooiest, creamiest, BEST recipe for dinner tonight! All of the goodness of classic lasagna, but lightened up and loaded with healthyingredients for a wholesome version of the original recipe!

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11. Barbecue Ranch Pasta Salad

Who says healthy pasta recipes always have to be warm? This creamy, savory, hearty, fresh, flavor-loadedBarbecue Ranch Pasta Salad is a cold pasta favorite. Make it as a delicious summer side dish or lunch recipe that’s sure to be a crowd pleaser!

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12. Spinach Basil Pesto

This Spinach Basil Pesto goes on EVERYTHING and is perfect for adding to healthy pasta recipes. If you’re looking for something creamy, delicious, and AMAZING for dinner tonight, then this Healthy Spinach Basil Pesto is just the thing for you!

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13. Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Squash Casserole

While technically not pasta, spaghetti squash often makes a wonderful spaghetti substitute. ThisCheesy Chicken Spaghetti Squash Casserole is creamy, savory, comforting, and SO easy to make for dinner tonight. It’s also perfect to make in bulk and freeze for later!

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14. Tomato Spinach Chicken Pasta

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Thistomato spinach chicken pastarecipe is delicious with tender pan-fried chicken nestled in a creamy tomato spinach sauce. It’s quick and easy for busy weeknights!

15. Turmeric Sweet Potato Pasta Salad

All things easy, delicious, and wholesome. This Turmeric Sweet Potato Pasta Salad will take your fall dinner to another level and is perfect for a healthy pasta substitute recipe!

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16. Caprese Pasta Salad

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This fresh and easy salad combines all the classic flavors of a Caprese Salad with pasta! Perfect as a simple family side dish or when feeding a crowd this make-ahead recipe for the best Caprese Pasta Salad delivers a burst of flavor everyone will love.

17. One-Pot Shrimp Scampi w/ Zucchini Noodles

The perfect wholesome pasta substitute: zucchini noodles! This One-Pot Shrimp Scampi is easy to make and delicious. Perfect for a gluten-free, healthy dinner!

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18. Crispy Roasted Cauliflower with Creamy Pesto Pasta

30+ Healthy Pasta Recipes (Easy & Comforting!) (18)

This cozy bowl of Crispy Roasted Cauliflower with Creamy Pesto Pasta is great for any night of the week. Taking a classic pesto pasta recipe and updating it with a no cream, creamy pesto sauce, crispy cauliflower, and lemony arugula for an easy, comforting healthy pasta recipe!

19. One-Pot Basil Chicken Baked Ziti

Healthy, easy, and quick homestyle cooking comfort foodfor the win!This One-Pot Basil Chicken Baked Ziti is perfect for a delicious, easy weeknight dinner that the entire family will love.

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20. Paleo Chicken Mushroom Casserole

Creamy, delicious, and perfect for the family, this Paleo Chicken Mushroom Casserole is a great weeknight dinner recipe for even the pickiest of eaters! Paleo-friendly, dairy-free, and gluten-free, this recipe is known for it’s indulgent, savory flavor. Create this wholesome and rich dinner for any night of the week!

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21. Roasted Veggie Pasta with Feta

30+ Healthy Pasta Recipes (Easy & Comforting!) (21)

This creamy veggie pasta recipe is made with roasted vegetables, feta, baby arugula, and chunky pasta.Roasting the vegetables and the feta adds an incredible depth of flavor that’s hard to beat! It’s a delicious meal that’s ready in less than 30 minutes.

22. Creamy Mushroom Sausage Rigatoni

Creamy Mushroom Sausage Rigatoni that’s perfect for a quick and easy dinner! Comforting, hearty, lightened-up, and delicious. This is one of the best healthy pasta recipes that the entire family will love!

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23.

Creamy, softzucchini noodles loaded with a thick & hearty traditional red sauce, sautéed mushrooms, and sweet tomatoes. This Vegetarian Zucchini Spaghetti w/ Red Sauce & Mushrooms recipe is the perfect combination of an easy, healthy dinner and homestyle cooking comfort food!

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24. Creamy Broccoli Pasta

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This Creamy Broccoli Pasta has pasta shells smothered in a buttery Garlic Parmesan Sauce with herbs and lots of broccoli! Add a hint of lemon juice at the end for the ultimate flavor that your family will love.

25. One-Pan Skinny Chicken Alfredo

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ThisHealthy Chicken Alfredopasta recipe is made in just one pan, with all the flavor of traditional Alfredo, without the calories!

26. Grilled Vegetable Orzo Pasta Salad

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Grilled vegetables from the farmers market shine in this vegetarian orzo pasta salad, perfect as a side dish or meatless main.

27. Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

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Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta for a healthy, simple weeknight dinner! Make this easy recipe for a healthy pasta that everyone will love.

28. Creamy Kale Pasta Recipe

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If you’ve been on the search for the easiest, healthy weeknight dinner, then you’ll love this one. This Kale Pasta Recipe is the perfect easy healthy pasta recipe!

29. The BEST Easy Vegan Meatballs

What to top your pasta off with? Here’s an easy recipe you’ll love! These Easy Vegan Meatballsare made from black beans, mushrooms, walnuts, and olive oil. Perfect for adding to spaghetti or any type of healthy pasta! Delicious, easy to make, healthy, and perfect for dinner tonight.

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30.

All the flavor of mac & cheese, but better and healthier. ThisLightened-Up Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese recipe is easy to make and delicious! Even little ones are obsessed with this healthy pasta recipe. Make this in no time at all for a dinner recipe the entire family will adore!

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31. Easy Vegetarian Baked Ziti Recipe

This Easy Vegetarian Baked Ziti Recipe can be made in 30 minutes, making it perfect for a quick, healthy pasta recipe! Made with mushrooms, zucchini, bell pepper, cottage cheese, and delicious ziti pasta. Wholesome comfort food at it’s finest!

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30+ Healthy Pasta Recipes (Easy & Comforting!) (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest pasta to eat? ›

Whole-Wheat Pasta

Also called whole-grain pasta, this type of pasta keeps the bran, endosperm, and germ of the grain together. It's filled with fiber, vitamins, and minerals. This helps you feel full longer and keeps your blood sugar from spiking.

What can I eat with pasta to make it healthier? ›

Try this today: You can easily give almost any pasta dish an easy upgrade by piling on the nutrient-dense ingredients, like veggies. I like making macaroni and cheese and mixing in chickpeas, broccoli, zucchini, and Brussels sprouts to make it a healthy, high fiber meal!

Is there a way to make pasta healthy? ›

Pack on protein, vegetables, and healthy fats

"The balance of all of these components makes pasta dishes more nutrient-dense and satisfying, eliminating the 'bottomless pit' feeling some people describe when eating just pasta and sauce," she says.

Is pasta a good comfort food? ›

The three most popular pasta dishes are macaroni and cheese, spaghetti Bolognese and lasagna. For centuries, pasta has been a comfort food.

What is the healthiest pasta for weight loss? ›

In fact, whole wheat or whole grain pasta is the best option for weight loss as whole wheat pasta takes longer to digest than pasta made from refined flour. Slower digestion means blood sugar will rise slowly after consumption, preventing your body from storing excess fat.

How do Italians eat pasta everyday and stay healthy? ›

Italians Do Eat Pasta, Just Differently

But it's important to balance out the less healthy meals with healthier ones- and Italians are really good at that. Did you know that Italians eat pasta as the first course? Which means smaller portions. The main dish is usually meat and salad.

What to put on pasta when you have no sauce? ›

Cheese is an excellent way to add flavor to your pasta without having to rely on sauce. Try mixing your angel hair pasta with goat cheese, and toss in sun-dried tomatoes to make an amazing meal with just a few ingredients. Garlic butter is a terrific way to season all types of noodles.

What to eat with pasta for weight loss? ›

You can make any fat-burning pasta dish by using whole-grain, high-protein noodles, adding lean meats, and replacing fatty dairy products with low-fat cream and cheese.

What is the most comforting food in the world? ›

10 Comfort Foods from Around the World
  • India: Butter Chicken. ...
  • France: Cassoulet. ...
  • Morocco: Harira Soup. ...
  • South Korea: Kimchi Stew (Kimchi Jjigae) ...
  • Mexico: Pozole. ...
  • Greece: Moussaka. ...
  • Thailand: Tom Yum Soup. ...
  • Brazil: Feijoada.

What are the top five comfort foods? ›

Become a Jetsetter
  • 1 Chicken and Waffles.
  • 2 Spaghetti and Meatballs.
  • 3 Chicken Fried Steak.
  • 4 Mac and Cheese.
  • 5 Hotdish.
  • 6 Chicago Deep Dish Pizza.
  • 7 Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup.
  • 8 Matzo Ball Soup.
Mar 1, 2020

What is the best comfort food of all time? ›

Our 20 all-time favorite comfort foods
  • 1 of 20. Chicken noodle soup. Joshua Resnick / shutterstock.com. ...
  • 2 of 20. Chicken pot pie. Charles Brutlag / shutterstock.com. ...
  • 3 of 20. Chicken tenders. ...
  • 4 of 20. Chili. ...
  • 5 of 20. Chocolate chip cookies. ...
  • 6 of 20. Cinnamon buns. ...
  • 7 of 20. Cornbread. ...
  • 8 of 20. Fries.
Apr 18, 2024

Are rice noodles healthier than pasta? ›

Not just vitamin-enriched but even plain pasta has a lot more B-complex vitamins like riboflavin, thiamin, niacin, and folate than rice noodles. However, compared to regular pasta, rice noodles do have one advantage. It's their gluten-free composition.

Are egg noodles healthier than pasta? ›

Soba noodles are also high in protein and fiber as well as a great source of manganese. Egg noodles are not healthier than pasta, since they are high in carbohydrates and calories, just like pasta. The overall nutritional profile of egg noodles is very similar to that of pasta.

What types of pasta are lowest in calories? ›

"Vegetable-based pastas, such as zucchini noodles or hearts of palm noodles, tend to be lowest in carbs and calories," says Sassos. "They are also packed with nutrient-dense vitamins and minerals and are naturally gluten-free. Shirataki noodles and kelp noodles are also quite low in carbs and calories."

Is real Italian pasta healthier? ›

Is all Italian pasta healthier than American pasta? The healthiness of the pasta is subjective, determined by factors such as ingredients used, cooking methods, and serving portion sizes. The traditional Italian pasta emphasizes simplicity and quality, making it a healthier option.

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