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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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 pasta has lowest calories? ›

"Vegetable-based pastas, such as zucchini noodles or hearts of palm noodles, tend to be lowest in carbs and calories," says Sassos.

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.

What to eat with pasta for weight loss? ›

Protein builds lean muscle, fiber reduces hunger and promotes gut health, and healthy fats enhance satiety. 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.

How do you make pasta less calories? ›

  1. Making a healthier version of classic pasta dishes is definitely possible with some simple substitutions and cooking techniques.
  2. *By adding vegetables.
  3. * using homemade tomato-based sauces.
  4. * Reducing Cheese.
  5. *Limit Salt.
  6. * Using Healthy Fats like olive oil or avocado oil.
Jul 31, 2023

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.

What type of rice is lowest in calories? ›

Black rice contains the least amount of calories and carbs per cup, and it's considered to be the richest in antioxidants out of every rice variety, which makes it the best choice from a nutritional standpoint and a weight loss standpoint.

What cheese is best for weight loss? ›

Cheese variants such as Feta, low-fat cottage cheese, cheddar, swiss, and parmesan are excellent choices for weight loss, especially regarding reducing belly fat. Not only are these cheeses full of beneficial nutrients, but they also come in low-calorie servings.

Is pasta better than potatoes for weight loss? ›

OR PASTA. AND they make you feel fuller for longer. than rice or pasta because of the way their are.

What pasta is skinnier than spaghetti? ›

Capellini: With ultra-thin strands that measure between 0.85 and 0.92 millimeters, this pasta is delicate and falls apart if overcooked. It's often labeled as “angel hair” pasta.

Can I eat pasta if I am 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.

Can I eat pasta everyday and lose weight? ›

That's right! 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.

Why am I losing weight eating pasta? ›

Glycemic Index

Also, adding fibre-rich vegetables and protein-rich foods to the pasta can keep the sugar levels and weight in check. According to research, those who ate pasta as part of a low-glycemic index diet lost more weight and had better body composition than those who followed a high-glycemic-index diet.

How much pasta is 200 calories? ›

Pasta is a fat-free, low sodium food that can fit right in with a weight loss or management plan. One cup of cooked pasta contains just 200 calories, in addition to valuable vitamins and minerals.

What can I add to spaghetti to make it healthier? ›

Here's a variety of tasty vegetables you can load into your pasta for their flavor, fiber, and nutrients.
  1. Broccoli. Broccoli is a nutritious and versatile vegetable that makes a great addition to any pasta dish. ...
  2. Mushrooms. ...
  3. Peas. ...
  4. Spinach. ...
  5. Tomatoes. ...
  6. Asparagus.
Apr 11, 2022

Are there any low calorie pastas? ›

LIVIVA Organic Shirataki Fettuccine with Oat Fiber, Low-Calorie Pasta made from Konjac Root, Non-GMO, Gluten Free and Keto Certified 14.11 Ounce (Pack of 6) This product has sustainability features recognized by trusted certifications.

What is the healthiest pasta available? ›

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. It also has a little over 8 grams of protein per cup cooked.

What is a low calorie equivalent to pasta? ›

6 Healthy Alternatives to Traditional Pasta
  • Zucchini Noodles or “Zoodles” Zucchini is low in saturated fat and sodium, and very low in cholesterol. ...
  • Squash Noodles. ...
  • Quinoa Pasta. ...
  • Rice Pasta. ...
  • Black Bean Pasta. ...
  • Shirataki Noodles.

Does brown pasta have less calories than white pasta? ›

Nutrients in Whole-Grain Vs.

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.

References

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