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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ERIN MCDOWELL

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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Erin McDowell

PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL

7. Spaghetti With Avocado Sauce

Sayonara, marinara.

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ERIN MCDOWELL

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.

ERIN MCDOWELL

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.

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30 Low Calorie Pasta Recipes You Need to Try Now (2024)

FAQs

Which pasta is lowest in calories? ›

Pasta & Noodles: Calories
FoodServingCalories
Egg Noodles, cooked 1 portion, small (50 g)100 g69 cal
Farfalle 1 portion (80 g)100 g287 cal
Fettuccine 1 portion (80 g)100 g287 cal
Fusilli 1 portion (80 g)100 g283 cal
38 more rows

What is the best pasta to eat 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.

Can I eat pasta and still lose weight? ›

That's right! A good bowl of spaghetti or risotto can be part of a weight-loss plan.

How much pasta should I eat to lose weight? ›

Half a cup of whole-grain cooked pasta equals one serving, or about 70 calories. If you don't eat pasta, think of a slice of whole-grain bread instead.

Is pasta better for weight loss than rice? ›

Rice Wins! This was a close one. In their refined forms, white pasta wins out versus white rice, so save that for your cheat days. In terms of true health, weight loss and performance benefits, however, the fibre and mineral content of brown rice makes it the perfect fuel to feed your fitness goals.

Is pasta less fattening than rice? ›

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.

What pasta is skinnier than spaghetti? ›

Vermicelli Pasta

These long strands of pasta are thinner than spaghetti but thicker than angel hair.

How to get rid of pasta belly? ›

14 Ways To Lose Belly Fat
  1. Get your heart pumping. Aerobic exercise burns calories and helps you reduce your total body fat, including belly fat. ...
  2. Add muscle. ...
  3. Cut back on added sugar. ...
  4. Avoid high-calorie beverages. ...
  5. Limit alcohol. ...
  6. Eat more fiber. ...
  7. Opt for protein throughout the day. ...
  8. Pick the proper carbs.
Mar 19, 2024

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.

Which carbs should I avoid to lose belly fat? ›

"Eating refined carbs like bread, rice, pasta and cookies [in excess] will increase our belly fat. If we want to lose it, we should focus on eating nutrient- and fiber-rich carbs such as vegetables and low-glycemic fruits," says Djordjevic.

What happens when you cut carbs for 2 weeks? ›

You'll Lose Water Weight

Glycogen helps your body retain water. You may also lose some salt along with the carbs you cut out. When you start to eat carbs again, the water weight comes right back. It takes 2 to 3 weeks for ketosis to rev up and start to burn fat.

What happens if you eat no carbs for a week? ›

What happens if you don't eat carbs for a week? Very low carb diets typically promote rapid weight loss in the first few weeks. However, this is usually due to a quick drop in water weight because every gram of carbs holds approximately 3 g of water in your body.

Is protein pasta less calories than regular pasta? ›

Foods high in protein, like protein pasta, also typically have fewer calories overall, which can further aid in weight loss.

Does brown pasta have less calories than white pasta? ›

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.

What pasta is the lowest in carbs? ›

  1. Shirataki noodles (konjac noodles) and tofu shirataki noodles. If you're counting carbs and craving pasta, these are your best bet. ...
  2. Zucchini noodles. Also known as zoodles, these are simply long strands that have been spiralized from whole squash. ...
  3. Hearts of palm noodles. ...
  4. Spaghetti squash noodles.
Oct 31, 2022

Is brown or white pasta better for weight loss? ›

Complex carbs - oats, brown rice, brown pasta, sweet potatoes etc - contain high levels of fibre which makes them a useful aid to weight loss because the body takes longer to digest them, meaning you'll be left feeling fuller for longer.

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