21 Healthyish Noodle Recipes That Will Satisfy Your Pasta Craving (2024)

Penne for your thoughts.

Hannah LoewentheilPublished on October 08, 2017
21 Healthyish Noodle Recipes That Will Satisfy Your Pasta Craving (2)

Zoë Burnett / BuzzFeed

1. Creamy Avocado Spinach Pasta

21 Healthyish Noodle Recipes That Will Satisfy Your Pasta Craving (3)

Jo Cooks / Via jocooks.com

There's absolutely no heavy cream involved in this rich pasta dish. Get the recipe.

2. Easy Balsamic Veggie Pasta

Gimme Some Oven / Via gimmesomeoven.com

Grab all your favorite veggies, roast them in the oven, and call it pasta night. Get the recipe.

3. Drunken Zucchini Noodles

21 Healthyish Noodle Recipes That Will Satisfy Your Pasta Craving (4)

The Movement Menu / Via themovementmenu.com

Who needs takeout when you can make this better-for-you take on an Asian classic? Plus, there's nothing bland about zucchini noodles when they're drowning in a sauce of chili garlic paste, fish sauce, lime, and ginger. Get the recipe.

4. Dairy-Free Butternut Squash Stuffed Shells

21 Healthyish Noodle Recipes That Will Satisfy Your Pasta Craving (5)

Love and Lemons / Via loveandlemons.com

Cashew cream takes the place of dairy in this comforting fall dinner. Get the recipe.

6. Sun Dried Tomato Fettuccine

21 Healthyish Noodle Recipes That Will Satisfy Your Pasta Craving (6)

Table For Two / Via tablefortwoblog.com

Non-fat Greek yogurt and sour cream makes this pasta taste totally decadent. Get the recipe.

7. Tomato and Ricotta Whole Wheat Pasta

21 Healthyish Noodle Recipes That Will Satisfy Your Pasta Craving (7)

Foodie Crush / Via foodiecrush.com

This whole-wheat medley is simple, veggie-packed, and full of flavor. Get the recipe.

8. Mushroom Spaghetti in Olive Oil

21 Healthyish Noodle Recipes That Will Satisfy Your Pasta Craving (8)

My Food Story / Via myfoodstory.com

You can leave out the butter all together and make this rustic pasta with nothing more than good olive oil, garlic, parsley, and chili flakes. Get the recipe.

9. Peanut Chicken Zucchini Noodles

Sally's Baking Addiction / Via sallysbakingaddiction.com

Packed with protein and veggies, these Thai-inspired zucchini noodles get a kick from a sauce made with peanut butter, low-sodium soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, and Sriracha. Get the recipe.

10. Butternut Squash Alfredo

21 Healthyish Noodle Recipes That Will Satisfy Your Pasta Craving (9)

Joyful Healthy Eats / Via joyfulhealthyeats.com

Take advantage of fall's produce and make this rich "alfredo" sauce with roasted butternut squash and milk. Get the recipe.

11. Roasted Cauliflower and Mushroom Carbonara

21 Healthyish Noodle Recipes That Will Satisfy Your Pasta Craving (10)

Closet Cooking / Via closetcooking.com

This recipe has all the flavors of classic carbonara, but it's loaded with roasted veggies that'll fill you up without weighing you down. Get the recipe.

12. Ratatouille Spaghetti

21 Healthyish Noodle Recipes That Will Satisfy Your Pasta Craving (11)

Wallflower Kitchen / Via wallflowerkitchen.com

Ready in about 20 minutes, this simple spaghetti gets an upgrade from eggplant, zucchini, pepper, and tomato, all sautéed into melt-in-your-mouth goodness. Get the recipe.

13. Pesto Vegetable Pasta

21 Healthyish Noodle Recipes That Will Satisfy Your Pasta Craving (12)

Sue Bee Homemaker / Via suebeehomemaker.com

Angel hair pasta gets bulked up with spiralized zucchini, carrots, and squash. Then the whole thing gets tossed in nutty pesto (which you can whip up from scratch or buy pre-made). Get the recipe.

14. Roasted Veggie Pasta

Simple Bites / Via simplebites.net

Pop your favorite fall veggies into the oven while the pasta cooks, then toss it all together on a sheet pan with olive oil and Parmesan cheese for a feel-good weeknight pasta you'll want to make time and time again. Get the recipe.

15. Sun Dried Tomato and Basil Pasta with Shrimp

Carlsbad Cravings / Via carlsbadcravings.com

Who knew you could make such a fancy dinner in just 20 minutes? Get the recipe.

16. Lemon Broccoli Skillet Pasta

The Food Charlatan / Via thefoodcharlatan.com

This vegetarian meal is loaded with roasted broccoli, and it gets a zesty-hot kick from garlic, lemon, and red pepper flakes. Get the recipe.

17. Butternut Squash Noodles with Spinach and Ricotta

Running to the Kitchen / Via runningtothekitchen.com

Sauté spiralized butternut squash for about 5 minutes in garlic and olive oil and it'll become slightly-soft like perfectly al dente pasta. Get the recipe.

18. Parsnip Pasta with Brussel Sprouts and Sausage

Skinny Taste / Via skinnytaste.com

Look! It's everything you love most about fall in a single skillet. Get the recipe.

19. Carrot Gnocchi

21 Healthyish Noodle Recipes That Will Satisfy Your Pasta Craving (13)

PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL / Via purewow.com

You've never had gnocchi like this before. Carrots take the place of potatoes in this light and airy recipe that gets dressed in a sauce of butter, garlic, and sage. Get the recipe.

20. Spaghetti with Mushroom Lentil Ragu

21 Healthyish Noodle Recipes That Will Satisfy Your Pasta Craving (14)

Fox Loves Lemons / Via foxeslovelemons.com

Bookmark this one for meatless Monday. Get the recipe.

21. Dairy-Free Roasted Red Pepper Pasta

Crazy Vegan Kitchen / Via crazyvegankitchen.com

This red pepper blender sauce is made with nut milk, tomato passata, and nutritional yeast...and you'll want to put it on just about everything from now on. Get the recipe.

Trending Recipes

Trending Recipes

More Tasty Guides

More Tasty Guides

    See all
    21 Healthyish Noodle Recipes That Will Satisfy Your Pasta Craving (2024)

    FAQs

    What should I eat if I want pasta? ›

    7 Pasta Alternatives to Satisfy Your Cravings
    • Zucchini Noodles. Looking to cut back on sodium and saturated fats, zucchini is a great place to start on your pasta alternatives journey! ...
    • Spaghetti Squash. ...
    • Quinoa Pasta. ...
    • Shirataki Noodles. ...
    • Sweet Potato. ...
    • Black Bean Pasta. ...
    • Rice Pasta.
    Mar 3, 2022

    What to eat instead of pasta? ›

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

    What should I put on my pasta to be healthy? ›

    1–6. Veggies
    1. Broccoli. Broccoli is a nutritious and versatile vegetable that makes a great addition to any pasta dish. ...
    2. Mushrooms. Mushrooms can bring a creamy taste and texture to pasta dishes, along with a host of health benefits. ...
    3. Peas. ...
    4. Spinach. ...
    5. Tomatoes. ...
    6. Asparagus.
    Apr 11, 2022

    Is pasta a healthy lunch option? ›

    What makes a pasta dish healthy is usually down to what you have with it. Red, tomato-based sauces rather than creamy sauces are usually a healthier ready-made choice. They are likely to be lower in saturated fat and the tomatoes will also count towards your 5-a-day.

    What does it mean when your body craves pasta? ›

    01 - You're Undereating

    As a result, the body craves quick energy, which is most readily obtained from carbohydrates. Refined carbs, like those found in white bread, pasta, and sweets, are especially energy-giving because they lack fiber and are therefore digested quickly.

    What pasta is healthiest? ›

    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 the healthiest sauce for pasta? ›

    The healthiest pasta sauces get most of their fat from olive oil (marinara) or olive oil and nuts (pesto), not cream or cheese (alfredo). And the good guys don't pile too much salt or sugar on top of your spaghetti. Here's how to find them. Check the photos for some great-tasting Best Bites and Honorable Mentions.

    How can I eat pasta everyday without gaining weight? ›

    Eating simple pasta without any veggies would mean loading up on carbs. Instead, add lots of sautéed veggies to your pasta, such as corn, broccoli, zucchini, bell peppers, onions, olives and jalapeños. This will also reduce your overall consumption of carbs-loaded pasta and increase your fiber intake.

    Can I eat pasta everyday and be healthy? ›

    It is possible to eat pasta daily and still be healthy. The key to eating pasta every day is to limit your portion size and supplement your pasta bowl with essential nutrients. The recommended portion size is two ounces of dry pasta or one cup of cooked pasta.

    What is healthier, pasta or rice? ›

    Rice contains vitamins and minerals that pasta does not, including folic acid, B vitamins (unless the pasta is fortified), iron, and zinc, but Rizzo says the amounts are very small. For those following a gluten-free diet, rice is a good option.

    What is the healthiest sandwich to eat? ›

    Good sandwich choices include sliced deli or rotisserie chicken, turkey, ham, lean roast beef, canned salmon or tuna, nut butter, grilled tempeh or tofu, smashed cooked beans, and reduced-fat cheese. Unsure about serving size?

    What is the healthiest meal to eat? ›

    10 Simple Dinner Ideas for Healthy Eating in Real Life
    1. Stuffed sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are loaded with beneficial nutrients like beta carotene, vitamin C, potassium, and fiber ( 1 ). ...
    2. Grain bowls. ...
    3. Veggie loaded frittatas. ...
    4. Dinner salad. ...
    5. Loaded brown rice pasta. ...
    6. One-pot soups. ...
    7. Curry. ...
    8. Burgers.
    Jun 30, 2021

    Should you eat pasta if you are 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 a cheat meal? ›

    Most people would consider this high-carb day a cheat day. However, if you do it properly and stick to low-fat, high-carb foods (like pasta, rice or even jelly beans), it's really not a cheat day. But even if you want to call it one, it's at least a cheat day with a specific purpose that will help you in the long run.

    Is pasta healthy or junk? ›

    Pasta can be a healthy meal. Since pasta is not very nutritious on its own, it's essential to add other foods to your pasta that are high in nutrients. You can ensure a healthy pasta meal by adding your favorite veggies to your dish and a lean protein, such as chicken, shrimp, or fish.

    References

    Top Articles
    Latest Posts
    Article information

    Author: Dean Jakubowski Ret

    Last Updated:

    Views: 5813

    Rating: 5 / 5 (70 voted)

    Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

    Author information

    Name: Dean Jakubowski Ret

    Birthday: 1996-05-10

    Address: Apt. 425 4346 Santiago Islands, Shariside, AK 38830-1874

    Phone: +96313309894162

    Job: Legacy Sales Designer

    Hobby: Baseball, Wood carving, Candle making, Jigsaw puzzles, Lacemaking, Parkour, Drawing

    Introduction: My name is Dean Jakubowski Ret, I am a enthusiastic, friendly, homely, handsome, zealous, brainy, elegant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.