Pasta dishes are one of the most popular crowd-pleasers out there. Quick to make and completely delicious, pasta recipes are a go-to for many households. The problem is if you make your pasta without many nutrients and lots of carbs and fat. Don’t worry – you don’t have to swear off pasta altogether – you just have to find ways to make your pasta healthier! There are tons of swaps to create healthier, low carb versions of your most-loved pasta recipes. Check out our favourite pasta recipes under 500 calories!
4 Ways to Make Pasta Recipes Healthier
1. Use Healthier Pasta
While white pasta is high in refined sugar and doesn’t contain many nutrients, whole wheat pasta allows you to increase the nutritional value of your meal. It contains the bran and germ of the grain, making it high in fibre and packed with more vitamins and minerals. Other healthy white pasta alternatives are buckwheat pasta, brown rice pasta, quinoa pasta, chickpea pasta, and the list goes on! Since it makes up the foundation of your meal, opt for healthier pasta to ensure you’re getting the most out of your meal!
2. Pack It With Veggies
Pasta dishes are some of the easiest to fill with veggies because so many vegetables work well with pasta and sauce. From tomatoes to mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, onion, asparagus, broccoli, and so much more, add as many veggies as you like to make your pasta healthier! Vegetables are key because they’re packed with nutrients and are super low in fat and calories, so pack them in for a healthy meal!
3. Up The Protein
Another way to make your pasta healthier is to add protein. Lean meats are best so you don’t end up adding too much fat, and if you want a meatless option, beans are an ideal addition! Adding a protein in your pasta will help level your blood sugar and make you feel full for longer so you don’t end up snacking throughout the day or after dinner.
4. Add Leafy Greens
Leafy greens such as spinach, kale, collard greens, rapini and Swiss chard are some of the healthiest foods out there and make for a great addition to pasta! Leafy greens are packed with vitamins, minerals and fibre, but are low in calories, and they offer numerous health benefits including reduced risk of obesity, heart disease and high blood pressure.
12 Vegetarian Pasta Recipes Under 500 Calories
1. Roasted Mediterranean Vegetable Pasta | Weight Loss Resources
2. One-Pot Tomato Basil Pasta | Pure Wow
3. Peanut Ginger Noodles | The Recipe Critic
4. Skinny Spinach Lasagna | Pinch of Yum
5. Spicy Tomato Chickpea Pasta | The Bojon Gourmet
6. One-Pot Lemon, Broccoli and Cauliflower Pasta | This Mess is Ours
7. Harissa Spaghetti | Olive Magazine
8. Roasted Cherry Tomatoes with Angel Hair | All Recipes
9. Vegetarian Pasta Alla Norma | Olive Magazine
10. Greek Pasta with Tomatoes and White Beans | All Recipes
11. One Pot Vegetable Pasta | RecipeTin Eats
12. Fresh and Easy Veggie Spaghetti | Inspired Taste
12 Vegan Pasta Recipes Under 500 Calories
1. Spaghetti with Avocado Pasta Sauce | Pure Wow
2. One-Pot Vegan Eggplant Cremini Pasta | Minimalist Baker
3. Vegan Mushroom Bolognese | Olive Magazine
4. Light Lemon Pesto Pasta | All Recipes
5. Vegan Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta | Fit Foodie Finds
6. Creamy Vegan Lemon Asparagus Pasta | Minimalist Baker
7. Supergreen Broccoli Pasta | Olive Magazine
8. Creamy Vegan Broccoli Pasta | The Simple Veganista
9. Creamy Vegan Garlic Pasta | Minimalist Baker
10. Vegan Spaghetti alla Puttanesca | Cookie and Kate
11. 5-Ingredient Easy Vegan Pasta | Detoxinista
12. Creamy Tomato Vegan Pasta | Sunkissed Kitchen
12 Chicken Pasta Recipes Under 500 Calories
1. Chicken Piccata Pasta | Foodie Crush
2. Penne with Chicken and Asparagus | All Recipes
3. Chicken and Sun Dried Tomato Pasta | Shape
4. One Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta | The Chunky Chef
5. One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta | Budget Bytes
6. Spaghetti with Sauteed Chicken and Grape Tomatoes | Skinny Taste
7. Pasta, Tofu and Veggies | Shape
8. Lemon Chicken Pasta | Taste of Home
9. Chicken Pasta Skillet | Kraft What’s Cooking
10. Caramelized Onion Spinach Chicken Pasta Bake | Ambitious Kitchen
11. One Pot Leftover Roast Chicken Pasta | My Gorgeous Recipes
12. Creamy Chicken and Bacon Pasta | McCormick
12 Shrimp Pasta Recipes Under 500 Calories
1. Spicy Prawn Linguine | Olive Magazine
2. Spaghetti Diablo with Shrimp | All Recipes
3. Shrimp and Zucchini Scampi | Good Housekeeping
4. Lemon Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Pasta | The Recipe Critic
5. Garlic and Veggie Shrimp Pasta | Well Plated
6. Prawn Linguine with ‘Nduja | Olive Magazine
7. One Pot Shrimp Pasta | Cookies and Cups
8. Easy Italian Shrimp Pasta | An Italian In My Kitchen
9. Pesto Shrimp Pasta | Budget Bytes
10. Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta | Averie Cooks
11. Cajun Shrimp Pasta | Self Prcolaimed Foodie
12. Creamy Shrimp Fettuccine | Diethood
12 Creamy Pasta Recipes Under 500 Calories
1. Skinny Pasta Primavera | Foodie Crush
2. Creamy Broccolini Pasta with Chile Breadcrumbs | Good Housekeeping
3. Creamy Mushroom Chicken Pasta | Cafe Delites
4. Creamy Artichoke and Asparagus Lasagna | My Recipes
5. Creamy Garlic Penne Pasta | Lil’ Luna
6. Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta | Budget Bytes
7. Creamy Garlic Mushroom Pasta | Jamie Oliver
8. Creamy Instant Pot Pasta | A Couple Cooks
9. Creamy Wild Mushroom Pasta | Healthy Fitness Meals
10. One Pot Creamy French Onion Pasta Bake | Half Baked Harvest
11. Creamy Harbed Pasta | Better Homes and Garden
12. Creamy Garlic Herb Mushroom Spaghetti | Pinch of Yum
Pasta dishes don’t have to be glutenous meals – they can be totally healthy with the right swaps and ingredients! Try these recipes out for low carb pasta dishes that everyone will love!
