30 Low Calorie Pasta Recipes You Need to Try Now (2024)

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Easy to make, easier to eat

30 Low Calorie Pasta Recipes You Need to Try Now (1)

By Lindsay Champion

Published Jun 23, 2020

Have you heard the news? According to the most glorious study of all time, pasta isn’t as unhealthy as we originally thought. This calls for a celebration: Try one of these lighter, low-calorie pasta recipes for dinner tonight.

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1. Coconut Curry Pasta With Clams, Mussels And Corn

Craving a creamy sauce? Swap coconut milk for dairy and you’ll cut your calories in half.

PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL

2. Carrot Pasta

No need to feel guilty about getting another helping of these gnocchi-like clouds.

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3. Cauliflower Mac And Cheese

Thanks to the world’s most versatile veggie, a bowl of this stuff is under 500 calories.

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4. Fettuccine With Mushroom Alfredo

This lighter take uses milk instead of cream, so feel free to have seconds.

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PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL

5. Pesto Zoodles

OK, this isn’t technically pasta, but it’s just as good. We promise.

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PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL

7. Spaghetti With Avocado Sauce

Sayonara, marinara.

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ERIN MCDOWELL

8. Pasta With Cherry Tomatoes

Use light ricotta cheese to make the dish even lighter.

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9. Mediterranean Pasta Salad

Pile the veggies high.

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10. One-pot Pasta With Peas And Artichokes

We’d like some more, peas.

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11. Skinny Shrimp Alfredo Pasta Bake

A tasty new take on baked ziti.

12. Mushroom Alfredo Pasta Bake

Just because you’re eating healthy doesn’t mean you can’t have a liiiitle bit of Gruyère cheese.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

13. 15-minute Lemony Broccolini Pasta

It’s gorgeous enough to serve at your next dinner party, but not too fancy for the kiddos.

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Inspired Entertainment/The Domestic Geek’s Meals Made Easy

14. One-pot Tomato Basil Pasta

The best part (beyond having just one pot to clean)? Once you’ve mastered this version, you can customize the recipe to your heart’s content.

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30 Low Calorie Pasta Recipes You Need to Try Now (16)

Damn Delicious

15. Summer Spaghetti With Tomatoes And Burrata

It's pretty magical and not too fancy for the kiddos.

Photo: Michael Marquand/Styling: Jodi Moreno

16. Grain-free Mushroom, Spinach And Leek Pasta

You can use any variety of grain-free pasta, but we’re a big fan of the Cappello’s brand: fresh pasta that’s both gluten- and grain-free.

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30 Low Calorie Pasta Recipes You Need to Try Now (18)

Half Baked Harvest

17. Golden Sundried Tomato Red Lentil Pasta

This bright red pasta is packed with fiber and healthy carbs—plus, it’s so much prettier than the regular kind.

30 Low Calorie Pasta Recipes You Need to Try Now (19)

Foodie Crush

18. One-pot Skinny Pasta Primavera

Half pasta, half veggies and topped with creamy almond milk sauce.

30 Low Calorie Pasta Recipes You Need to Try Now (20)

Pinch of Yum

19. Skinny Fajita Shrimp Pasta

Make it with whole-wheat pasta for a little extra virtue.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

20. Vegan Spaghetti Squash With Mushroom Marinara Sauce

Psst: Subbing in veggies for pasta means you can have two bowls.

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30 Low Calorie Pasta Recipes You Need to Try Now (22)

Oh My Veggies

21. Creamy Vegan Pesto Pasta

Need an easy weeknight dinner? Use store-bought pesto.

30 Low Calorie Pasta Recipes You Need to Try Now (23)

Gimme Some Oven

22. Easy Balsamic Veggie Pasta

This fresh mix of vegetables and balsamic is filling and healthy at the same time.

Kajakiki/Getty Images

23. Whole-grain Pasta With Pesto, Mozzarella, Pine Nuts And Tomato

The perfect not-sad-desk-lunch option.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

24. Baked Zucchini 'ziti' Spirals With Mozzarella

Even the kids will love this one.

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30 Low Calorie Pasta Recipes You Need to Try Now (26)

Inspiralized

25. Vegan Zucchini Spaghetti Puttanesca

This recipe from Coterie member Ali Maffucci is little bit spicy, a little bit briny and a lot delicious.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

26. Butternut Squash Carbonara

Add in some mashed butternut squash and cut down on the butter and your favorite decadent dish is officially healthy.

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30 Low Calorie Pasta Recipes You Need to Try Now (28)

What's Gaby Cooking

27. Cauliflower Alfredo Pasta

Our favorite veggie saves the day. It’s rich and creamy, without all the calories.

30 Low Calorie Pasta Recipes You Need to Try Now (29)

The Recipe Critic

28. Peanut Ginger Noodles

It tastes just like takeout but will set you back only 400 calories.

30 Low Calorie Pasta Recipes You Need to Try Now (30)

Minimalist Baker

29. Zucchini Pasta With Lentil Bolognese

Bonus: It’s ready in just 30 minutes.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

30. One-pot, 15-minute Pasta Limone

This one-pot, pasta limone is like dinner in your back pocket: You likely have most of the ingredients in your kitchen already, and it comes together in practically no time.

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30 Low Calorie Pasta Recipes You Need to Try Now (32)

Lindsay Champion

Freelance Editor

From 2015-2020 Lindsay Champion held the role of Food and Wellness Director. She continues to write for PureWow as a Freelance Editor.

read full bio

30 Low Calorie Pasta Recipes You Need to Try Now (2024)

FAQs

What is the lowest calorie pasta? ›

Nutrition comparison of low-calorie pastas
Pasta (56 g = 2 oz)CaloriesProtein
Shirataki noodles (100 grams)50 g
Pastabilities Lower-Calorie Pasta (2 oz)1008 g
Fiber Gourmet “Light” pasta (56 g.)1107 g
Spiralized zucchini (1 cup)211.5 g
2 more rows
Oct 24, 2023

What to eat with pasta for weight loss? ›

Along with veggies, do not forget to add sources of protein in your pasta. Protein should fill 1/4 of your pasta plate or bowl. You can add lean chicken or fresh fish like salmon in your pasta. If you are making a vegetarian pasta, add legumes such as white beans.

What pasta to eat on a calorie deficit? ›

In addition to whole wheat pasta, pasta made from other ingredients such as chickpeas, lentils, and veggies are great options when you are on a diet. Non-traditional pasta like these are generally lower in carbohydrates and calories while having higher protein content.

Which is the healthiest pasta? ›

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.

Can you eat pasta when trying to lose weight? ›

Dietitians and other health care professionals should consider pasta as a low-glycemic carbohydrate option within the context of a healthy diet or a weight loss/weight maintenance diet.

Is pasta better for weight loss than rice? ›

At 117 calories per 100g Vs pasta's 160 calories per 100g, rice has significantly lower calories, so swapping pasta to rice may be beneficial for anyone controlling their calories as a way to lose or maintain their weight.

Can I lose weight eating pasta and rice? ›

A good bowl of spaghetti or risotto can be part of a weight-loss plan. In fact, as long as you don't overdo the portions, pasta may help you eat a higher-quality diet, according to results published in a 2020 meta-analysis in Frontiers in Nutrition.

How many cups of pasta should I eat to lose weight? ›

For a meal, I typically advise my weight loss clients to keep their portion of cooked pasta to 1 to 1.5 cups (women) and 1.5 to 2 cups (men). The serving size of pasta on nutrition labels is given as a dry weight, so it can be hard to know how much to cook.

How much pasta should I eat to lose weight? ›

Half a cup of whole-grain cooked pasta equals one serving, or about 70 calories. If you don't eat pasta, think of a slice of whole-grain bread instead.

What is the unhealthiest pasta? ›

14 Of The Unhealthiest Frozen Pasta Dishes
  1. Stouffer's Lasagna with Meat & Sauce. ...
  2. Michael Angelo's Three Cheese Baked Ziti. ...
  3. Michelina's Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken & Broccoli. ...
  4. Bertolli Pasta Sides Four Cheese Ravioli. ...
  5. Giovanni Rana Meat Lasagna. ...
  6. Devour Buffalo Style Chicken Mac & Cheese. ...
  7. Great Value Mexican-Style Lasagna.
Feb 2, 2024

Is Potato good for you to lose weight? ›

Yes, you can lose weight by eating potatoes. Most people claim that one can lose 0.45 kg daily just by eating potatoes. In addition, research shows that consuming fibre-rich foods like potatoes promotes gut health and significantly prevents obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.

Is cheese good for you to lose weight? ›

Cheeses such as cheddar, cottage cheese, ricotta, parmesan and feta, which are lower in fat, can be beneficial for weight loss when eaten in moderation. However, avoiding ultra-processed cheeses and those with high sodium levels is essential, as these are not conducive to weight loss.

What is the best substitute for spaghetti? ›

8 Low-Carb & Grain-Free Substitutes for Pasta
  1. Zucchini. Zucchini is a popular noodle substitute because its texture makes it easy to spiral out into spaghetti-like shapes. ...
  2. Cauliflower. ...
  3. Spaghetti Squash. ...
  4. Egg Noodles. ...
  5. Cucumber. ...
  6. Broccoli. ...
  7. Eggplant. ...
  8. Cabbage.

What is healthier rice or pasta? ›

For lower calorie and carbohydrate content, rice comes out top. But if protein and fibre is your aim, pasta wins over rice. That said, both can play a part in a healthy diet - and as the nutritional differences are quite small, it often comes down to which you would prefer.

What veggie pasta is the healthiest? ›

10 Healthy Boxed Pastas
  1. Felicia Organic Buckwheat Spaghetti. ...
  2. Tolerant Simply Legumes Organic Red Lentil Pasta. ...
  3. Ancient Harvest POW! ...
  4. Jovial Organic Whole Wheat Einkorn Pasta. ...
  5. Banza Chickpea Pasta. ...
  6. Explore Cuisine Organic Edamame and Mung Bean Fettuccine. ...
  7. Solely One Whole Organic Spaghetti Squash Pasta.

Is angel hair pasta less calories? ›

Angel hair pasta, also known as capellini, is made from semolina flour and water. It is a type of white pasta that is thinner and more delicate than other types of pasta. Angel hair pasta is lower in calories and fat than ramen noodles, but it is also lower in fiber and protein.

How much pasta is 200 calories? ›

One cup of cooked pasta contains just 200 calories, in addition to valuable vitamins and minerals. It also fills you up so you don't feel hungry while trying to lose weight! Pasta has a low Glycemic Index (GI) so it does not cause sugar in the blood to rise quickly.

What pasta is skinnier than spaghetti? ›

Vermicelli Pasta

These long strands of pasta are thinner than spaghetti but thicker than angel hair. You can use just as you would either of those. Also known as spaghettini. Browse our entire collection of Vermicelli Recipes.

Does brown pasta have less calories than white pasta? ›

Whole-grain pasta is typically high in fiber, manganese, selenium, copper and phosphorus, while refined, enriched pasta tends to be higher in iron and B vitamins. Whole-grain pasta is also lower in calories and higher in fiber and certain micronutrients than refined pasta.

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