Easy and Healthy Pasta Recipes to Satisfy All Your Carb Cravings

Fettucine with roasted colorful vegetables and parsley pesto
Photo: istetiana/Getty

Skip the sad, frozen lasagna or box of mac 'n' cheese and instead get your carb fix with these delicious and healthy pasta recipes.

01 of 13

Asparagus and Arugula Pasta Salad

healthy pasta recipe asparagus and arugula
Gimme Some Oven

A healthy pasta recipe is the perfect clean-out-the-fridge dish. This version uses spring produce, but you can adapt it with whatever you have on hand. (Good news! We have even more Italian meal ideas that won't put you in a food coma.)

02 of 13

Israeli Pasta Salad

easy healthy Mediterranean diet recipe for israeli chopped salad
The View From Great Island

This veggie-packed pasta salad actually tastes better after a day or two in the fridge. So if you make a big batch of the healthy pasta recipe on the weekend, you'll have delicious lunches for days. Talk about Mediterranean diet meal planning made easy!

03 of 13

Creamy White Bean Pesto Pasta

Creamy White Bean Pesto healthy Pasta recipe
Natural Girl Modern World

The vegan sauce in this healthy pasta recipe gets a luscious texture — as well as extra hits of fiber and protein — from beans. Add pesto and you've got a meal that's filling and super flavorful.

04 of 13

Chinese Chicken Pasta Salad

Chinese Chicken healthy Pasta Salad recipe
Averie Cooks

Tons of bright, colorful veggies make this pasta salad healthy and Instagram-worthy. And since it tastes great warm or cold, you can make a big batch and then eat the leftovers for lunch or meal-prepped dinner all week.

05 of 13

Crazy Good Peanut Noodles

Crazy Good Peanut Noodles healthy pasta recipe
Kelley & Cricket

You'd never guess that these indulgent-looking noodles are actually Paleo — you make them with summer squash, zucchini, or gluten-free noodles. And since the healthy pasta recipe comes together in just 15 minutes, it's perfect for a quick and easy lunch or dinner.

06 of 13

Garlic Chili Pasta with Roasted Cauliflower

Garlic Chili healthy Pasta recipe with Roasted Cauliflower
Minimalist Baker

With just 10 ingredients (and only 30 minutes of prep/cook time) this healthy pasta recipe will be your new go-to. (Another reason to add cauliflower to your plate: It packs *tons* of health benefits.)

07 of 13

Pasta Salad with Strawberries, Zucchini, and Balsamic Vinaigrette

healthy Pasta Salad recipe with Strawberries, Zucchini, and Balsamic Vinaigrette
Food Faith Fitness

This fruit-and-veggie filled healthy pasta recipe is made with noodles that are actually made from tofu. An entire package has just 20 calories, so you can add lots of delicious toppings and still keep the meal low-cal, if that's what you're going for. (Wait, are those bean and veggie pastas actually better for you?)

08 of 13

Sweet and Sour Thai Carrot And Cucumber Noodle Salad

Sweet and Sour Thai Carrot And Cucumber Noodle Salad
Peas & Crayons

Spiralized vegetables tossed in a sweet and sour dressing take the place of noodles in this healthy pasta recipe, but it's just as satisfying, thanks to the fiber-filled carrots and protein-packed chickpeas.

09 of 13

Tomatoes, Chickpeas, Smashed Olives & Red Chard Fettuccine

Tomatoes, Chickpeas, Smashed Olives & Red Chard Fettuccine
Caitlin Bensel

Even if you have only 30 minutes to whip up dinner, you can make this healthy pasta recipe. In each bite, your taste buds will be met with acidic cherry tomatoes, salty olives, and buttery chickpeas, and when made with a gluten-free pasta, such as one made from almond flour, even your friends with gluten sensitivities can enjoy the hearty meal.

10 of 13

Golden Beets with Brown Butter & Walnut-Sage Pesto Reginetti

Golden Beets With Brown Butter & Walnut-Sage Pesto Reginetti
Caitlin Bensel

This 11-ingredient healthy pasta recipe packs plenty of textures, thanks to the golden beets, walnuts, and noodles, so you won't get sick of eating the leftovers for a few days. Plus, the golden beets won't stain your fingers like their purple cousins do.

11 of 13

Caramelized Cabbage & Onion Gemelli with Zesty Yogurt

Caramelized Cabbage & Onion Gemelli With Zesty Yogurt
Caitlin Bensel

Consider adding this dish to your meal-prep routine. The addition of creamy yogurt and crunchy cabbage makes it the warm and satisfying meal you need in the middle of a workday or for dinner on a busy night.

12 of 13

Spaghetti with Cauliflower Cream Sauce, Chile Oil, and Breadcrumbs

Spaghetti With Cauliflower Cream Sauce, Chile Oil & Breadcrumbs
Caitlin Bensel

This healthy pasta recipe is a staunch (and delicious) reminder that you don't need to eat spaghetti with a meaty tomato sauce. This white-sauce dish gets a boatload of texture from the breadcrumbs and riced cauliflower – not ground beef.

13 of 13

Broccoli and Fennel Rigatoni With Spiced Cannellini

Broccoli & Fennel Rigatoni With Spiced Cannellini
Caitlin Bensel

Beans on top of noodles may not sound too appetizing, but trust, they provide a satisfying creaminess and a punch of protein to the healthy pasta recipe that makes it all the more delectable. And with the addition of steamed, fibrous broccoli, you won't develop a case of the munchies an hour after eating.

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