The great thing about pasta is that it’s so easy to prepare – just boil it, drain it, and add it to the sauce. But that also means it’s so easy to do the same with that trusty box of pasta every time. Sometimes, however, we have to think outside the box. To help you do just that, we’ve rounded up our favorite healthy pasta ideas that are unique, delicious, and easy to add to any menu plan. Plus, once the old devotees take a break from the mealtime routine, you may even miss it a bit.
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Whip up this delicious take on traditional pesto, stat! Each bright and vibrant bite contains a blend of earthy kale, toasted nuts, aromatic basil, EVOO, garlic and Parmesan. The end result is a flavorful sauce that’s packed with vitamin C, beta-carotene, and omega-3s, three nutrients that play a key role in enriching the overall appearance of your skin.
Gaby Dalkin
This light version of Alfredo sauce is perfect when it’s a bit chilly outside. The sauce is downright healthy compared to a traditional Alfredo and no one would even know the difference, it’s so delicious.
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Two simple vegetarian additions turn this simple pasta into a vibrant main course. You can customize the ingredients to suit your taste. You can use any type of noodle you prefer, or substitute the greens with chopped kale, escarole, or chard instead of spinach.
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Avocado cream sauce is both light and refreshing – qualities rarely found in creamy sauces. This sauce also maintains an incredible shine with the addition of fresh basil and lemon and is extremely versatile.
Courtesy of Valérie Bertinelli
Wake up your weekday dinner routine with this light and tangy pasta dish. It’s quick and easy to prepare and packed with fresh flavors.
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This simple and rustic Sicilian pasta dish is a favorite of the Contrino family. Sweet tomatoes, earthy eggplants, and a little red pepper for spices make this a hearty dish for any night. Normally topped with ricotta salata, this version uses a whipped ricotta to balance the tomato-based sauce with a creamier texture.
Dylan dreyer
One of Dylan Dreyer’s favorite recipes, this easy pasta dish checks all the boxes for a healthy, kid-friendly dinner: veg, starch, and protein. His son Calvin adores him so you know he will be a hit with diners of all ages.
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Love a heartwarming bowl of mac but want to eat your veg too? This dish has you covered. Easy, creamy and irresistible, it’s 100% plant-based so it’s good for you and Earth.
Alex guarnaschelli
This dish serves that wonderful need for comfort food without being too rich or heavy. It consists of fresh asparagus, zucchini, tomatoes and sweet onions. Plus, everything snaps into place in the oven, making it a cinch for any weekday meal.
Julia Gartland
It’s fun to use lentils in a bolognese the same way you would meat, while keeping traditional items like carrots and onions for the ride. The result adds a vegetal touch to a traditional and iconic pasta dish.
Samah dada
This pasta is flavorful, light, and balanced while still being a plant and veggie dinner or lunch that everyone will love. Roasted red peppers and garlic add a sweetness to the sauce which is undermined by the sour tomatoes, lemon juice and spices.
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In this pasta, Samah Dada balances the earthy sesame butter with fresh lemon juice to make it creamy, shiny and tangy. It’s the perfect pasta when you want something flavorful and rich with a little spice too.
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The spicy harissa pasta and green bean chicken reflect the cuisine and flavors of North Africa with the harissa punch paired with Italian influence with the pasta shells.
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Coarsely ground black pepper and red pepper flakes add a unique spice to this simple pasta dish. It only has five ingredients, but it’s packed with flavor.
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Full of flavor and so easy to prepare, this pasta dish is a must-have. The maple syrup compensates for the bitterness of the Brussels sprouts, so you only taste the freshness of the vegetables.
Courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis
Mushrooms with marsala and pistachios are a fantastic flavor combination, which is why this paste is currently one of Giada’s favorites. Try using king trumpet mushrooms, morels, cremini, shiitakes, or oyster mushrooms. They all have different flavors and textures and experimenting with new varieties is part of the fun!
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Cacio e pepe is one of those dishes that many people love because of its simplicity, but it is not easy to replicate the complex flavor of traditional Italian cheeses. Dada’s take on the Italian staple uses nutritional yeast and cashews to create a succulent sauce filled with umami.
TODAY
Eating dairy-free or vegan-free foods doesn’t mean you have to miss out on your favorite flavors and textures. This recipe has all the rich, creamy goodness of traditional macaroni and cheese without all the heaviness.
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Classic Italian pesto gets a makeover with a large serving of spinach. This recipe is totally customizable with any toppings you choose! Add some blistered tomatoes, almond milk ricotta, more olive oil and something crunchy. Gluten-free chickpea pasta is great for adding protein.
By Chloé
The creamy, mouth-watering sauce is made with healthy, protein-rich tofu, but it tastes like it contains all kinds of dairy. Top it with shiitake bacon (just thinly sliced roasted shiitake mushrooms with olive oil and sea salt) and it’s the perfect bait for your longtime partner!
Courtesy of Adam Friedlander
The combination of broccoli, mushrooms and garlic with the bright lemon flavor and heatstroke is divine. Cooking the pasta gives the pieces along the edge an extra crispy texture that is deeply satisfying.
Clean Green Eats / Evi Abeler Photography
An ideal dish that often provides leftovers for later, this hearty, vegetarian lasagna hits all the right notes of flavor. Even for those who are used to its meaty counterpart, this dish will be a winner.
Courtesy of Adam Friedlander
This recipe is low maintenance, so you can put it in the oven and then finish odd chores around the house while baking. There’s something comforting about digging up chunks of lasagna noodles topped with red garlic sauce. Plus, spinach makes it look a bit healthy.
Courtesy of Stéphanie Harris-Uyidi
As a member of the tuna family, mackerel is a delicious but underrated fish that deserves more attention. A firm fleshed fish that is high in fat, it is known for its bold and savory flavor. When mixed with salted olives, sweet and sour tomatoes, and fresh herbs, this seafood pasta is a staple.
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Cheese, sauce, noodles and satisfying, this light oven-baked ziti won’t disappoint. Imagine: whole grain penne mixed with ground meat, three different cheeses (mozzarella, ricotta and parma) and a savory tomato sauce, then baked to perfection in the oven. Joy Bauer also sneaks in spinach for added nutrition and fiber. It is baked happiness.
