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.

5. Parmesan Garlic Spaghetti Squash

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.

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

    FAQs

    21 Healthyish Noodle Recipes That Will Satisfy Your Pasta Craving? ›

    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 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? ›

    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

    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 noodle is the healthiest? ›

    Rice noodles are often considered one of the healthiest options available. They are naturally gluten-free, low in fat, and easy to digest. P'Nut Asian Kitchen incorporates rice noodles into many of their dishes, including the popular Pad Thai and Wonton Noodle Soup.

    Are egg noodles healthier than pasta? ›

    Are Egg Noodles Healthy? Egg noodles can give you extra nutrients that regular pasta won't, though they also lack in some areas compared to pasta. Still, you don't have to choose only one. Add both to your pantry for a well-rounded diet and supplement each with vegetables, proteins, and other sources of nutrients.

    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.

    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.

    What can I put in pasta if I don't have anything? ›

    Garlic butter is a terrific way to season all types of noodles. Simply melt butter and sprinkle in some garlic powder. Toss your spaghetti or favorite type of pasta in this delightful mixture to create a filling and appetizing meal.

    How to turn pasta into a complete meal? ›

    Any one of the following plant foods can be added to make a pasta dish a complete protein:
    1. Legumes (with the exception of soy) such as peas, and beans, including those that are dried, processed or baked.
    2. Vegetables, even if they are frozen.
    3. Nuts and seeds like walnuts, cashews and sunflower seeds.

    What is the healthiest way to eat pasta? ›

    The healthiest way to eat pasta is cooked al dente. Pasta is inherently healthy, as carbohydrates are important energy sources for our whole body, especially our brain.

    Is alfredo pasta healthy? ›

    A typical portion of this decadent dish has 1200 calories, 75 grams of fat, 47 grams of saturated fat and gives you more than half a day's worth of sodium. Yikes! Looking at a recipe, it's not hard to figure out why. The star ingredients are buckets of heavy cream, butter, cheese and mountains of pasta.

    Which is healthier, rice or pasta? ›

    The main differences between refined (white) pasta and white rice are in the amount of calories, fiber, and protein in each. Pasta contains more calories, more fiber, and more protein than rice. However, many healthier varieties of pasta and rice are available that are more nutritious than their refined counterparts.

    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.

    How can I eat pasta everyday without gaining weight? ›

    Eat pasta in small portions.

    Half a cup of pasta should be the main course, with the rest consisting of toppings like sauce, lean meats, fish, vegetables, nuts, seafood, and olive oil.

    What to eat with 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.

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