35+ Easy, Healthy Pasta Recipes
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy.
This collection of 35+ dietitian-created easy, healthy pasta recipes will show you that pasta can be a healthy choice! These recipes use simple ingredients that pack in tons of flavour and nutrition benefits. You’ll find nutritious shrimp pastas, other seafood pastas, vegan options, pasta salads, and more!
Have you ever wondered if pasta is healthy? Or maybe you’ve been told that it “isn’t good for you?”
You may be surprised to hear that as a registered dietitian, pasta is one of my favourite foods – I think it’s actually an excellent way to get in a ton of nutrients (and veggies!)
Why? Pasta itself is actually a VERY simple food – basically just made from wheat flour and water.
Pasta also obviously tastes delicious and is a comforting food to many people. If this is what it takes to get in a ton of vegetables and nutrition, I say go for it!
What Makes These Pastas A Healthy Option?
The key to making pasta a healthy choice? It’s what you prepare WITH the noodles!
Pasta is such a great vehicle for pairing with:
- tons of vegetables, which are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber
- quality proteins, like seafood, meat, or plant-based options like tempeh
- healthy fats, like olive oil or sauces made from various nuts and seeds
This unique combinations of fat, protein, fiber, and carbohydrates creates a balanced meal that provides you with energy, while preventing those unwanted spikes and crashes in blood sugar.
TIP: If you’d like to increase the nutrient content of these pastas even more, why not try a pasta made from lentils or chickpeas? These are rich in fiber and plant-based protein! And if you’re gluten-free, there are some awesome gluten-free pastas out there, made from whole grains like brown rice or quinoa.
In this post, I’ve rounded up 35+ healthy pasta recipe ideas that include all the nutrition benefits above. Here you’ll find plenty of:
I’d love to know which of these healthy pasta recipes you end up making. Let’s get cooking!
Shrimp Pasta Recipes
In this section you’ll find healthy shrimp pastas and pasta salads! I gave shrimp it’s own category, since it’s one of the most popular pasta protein pairings 🙂
1. Pasta With Veggies, Zoodles & Garlic Shrimp
Proving pasta can be a healthy option, this easy pasta recipe is packed with fresh veggies, zoodles, tomatoes, spinach, herbs and garlic prawns.
Get the recipe
2. Winter Pasta Salad
This Winter Pasta Salad is made with oven-roasted butternut squash, broccoli, and mushrooms, as well as arugula, shrimp, and a thyme-mustard vinaigrette. This recipe is easy, healthy, and can be made dairy-free, gluten-free, and/or vegan if needed.
Get the recipe
3. Basil Walnut Pesto Linguine With Shrimp
This basil-walnut pesto linguine pasta recipe is paired with shrimp and arugula. Simple, nutritious, and ready in 30 minutes! Recipe is dairy-free and can easily be made gluten-free.
Get the recipe
4. Roasted Vegetable Pasta Salad With Shrimp
This roasted veggie pasta salad is packed with balanced nutrition and tons of antioxidants! Perfect to make for an easy weeknight dinner, packed lunch, or to bring to your next summer BBQ.
Get the recipe
5. Lemon Orzo Salad With Shrimp
This lemon orzo salad is served with feta, zucchini, and shrimp. Light, delicious, and easy – enjoy it as a cold summer pasta salad!
Get the recipe
Other Seafood Pastas
In this section you’ll find healthy pasta recipes using seafood other than shrimp. We’ve got recipes featuring seared scallops, canned mackerel, and tuna!
6. Seared Scallops & Zucchini Noodle Pasta
This simple Pan Seared Scallops and Zucchini Noodle Pasta is a nutritious, healthy, and balanced weeknight meal. Dinner in 30 minutes! Gluten-free and dairy-free versions available.
Get the recipe
7. Mediterranean Canned Mackerel Pasta
This quick + easy canned (tinned) mackerel pasta recipe is packed with heart-healthy omega-3s, protein, and micronutrients! Nutritious, delicious, and ready in 30-minutes – this is one of the most popular recipes on my blog for a reason.
Get the recipe
8. No-Mayo Tuna Pasta Salad
This Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe is easy, fast, and healthy. Made without mayo and ready in 20-minutes! Perfect for a make-ahead meal. Recipe is dairy-free and can be gluten-free if using gluten-free pasta.
Get the recipe
9. Tuna Tomato Pasta Bake
A healthy twist on classic tuna noodle casserole! This tuna pasta bake is packed with protein, veggies, and tomato sauce. Only 10 ingredients, it's easy, nutritious and the perfect pasta for dinner. Recipe uses canned tuna as a convenient, quality protein source that makes this meal so filling and satisfying!
Get the recipe
10. Canned Salmon Pasta With Spinach & Broccoli
This healthy canned salmon pasta recipe is made with spinach, broccoli, and lemon. It's such a quick and easy dinner option! Filled with protein, healthy fats, and lots of fiber-rich veggies.
Get the recipe
11. Canned Mackerel Pasta Salad
This Canned Mackerel Pasta Salad is an excellent source of omega-3s, protein, and tons of veggies. Super delicious, ready in 30 mins, and great for meal prep or a packed lunch!
Get the recipe
12. Tuna Pasta Salad With Pesto
This Tuna Pasta Salad With Pesto is an easy, healthy make-ahead lunch idea. It's made with protein-packed canned tuna and a dairy-free hemp seed pesto. Simple, delicious, and ready in 30 minutes!
Get the recipe
Vegan & Vegetarian Pastas
In this section you’ll find vegan and vegetarian pasta options. I’m a huge fan of using cashew cream to make a creamy plant-based pasta sauce, as well as replacing ground meat with protein-packed ground tempeh!
13. Pasta With Cashew Cream Tomato Sauce
This nutrient-dense and deliciously creamy pasta comes together so quickly. A perfect option for anyone who is vegan, dairy-free, or who just wants to switch things up!
Get the recipe
14. Tofu Tomato Pasta With Vegetables
This tofu tomato pasta sauce is packed with veggies, fiber, and plant-based protein! It's such a quick, go-to weeknight dinner idea and is an awesome way to clear out the fridge. Feel free to customize it (see ideas in notes)! Recipe is vegan + can be made gluten-free.
Get the recipe
15. Baked Tomato Pasta With Eggs & Feta
This baked tomato pasta recipe is made with tomato sauce, feta cheese, eggs, fresh basil, vegetables, and a bunch of delicious spices. It's an easy, healthy, vegetarian meal that's ready in about 30 minutes! This recipe can be made gluten-free and dairy-free if needed.
Get the recipe
16. Creamy Goat Cheese Tomato Pasta
This goat cheese tomato pasta recipe is so quick and easy to prepare. Goat cheese gets stirred into the pasta sauce making it extra creamy and SO delicious. It's made with simple, healthy ingredients and is packed with fiber-rich veggies – perfect for a weeknight dinner!
Get the recipe
17. Creamy Tahini Pasta
This creamy, vegan tahini pasta recipe is made with one of my favourite "cheesy" miso tahini sauces. It's delicious, quick to make, and nutritious. Feel free to add extra veggies, like broccoli!
Get the recipe
18. Lemon Artichoke & Spinach Pasta
The classic flavour combination of spinach and artichoke without the use of cream cheese, sour cream, or heavy cream! This lemon and artichoke pasta with spinach is a quick, healthy, and delicious pasta dinner recipe. It’s packed with nutritious veggies and full of fresh flavours. Feel free to serve with an additional protein, like shrimp or chicken.
Get the recipe
19. Kale Pasta Salad With Sun-Dried Tomatoes
This kale pasta salad is made with sun-dried tomatoes, red bell peppers, parmesan, and a simple red wine vinaigrette. It's an easy, delicious, and nutritious make-ahead meal! Recipe is vegetarian and can easily be made gluten-free.
Get the recipe
20. Eggplant Pasta Bake
This cozy eggplant pasta recipe combines nutritious veggies like eggplant (aubergine), zucchini, kale, and tomatoes for a super flavourful and delicious vegetarian pasta bake. It's topped with cheeses like parmesan and ricotta, which get nice and melty in the oven! Gluten-free option included.
Get the recipe
21. Baked Spaghetti Frittata With Veggies
This oven-baked spaghetti frittata recipe is packed with veggies, fibre, and protein! It's nutritious, easy to make, and an awesome option for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Bonus: it's great for meal prep AND for using up leftover pasta!
Get the recipe
22. Tempeh Tomato Sauce Pasta
This plant-based tomato pasta sauce uses crumbled, ground tempeh to increase the protein content of the dish for a filling, nutritious weeknight meal! Recipe is vegan and easily made gluten-free.
Get the recipe
23. Vegetarian Taco Pasta Bake
This vegetarian taco pasta bake is made with crumbled tofu, plenty of vegetables, taco sauce, salsa, and melty cheddar cheese. It's such an easy, delicious, and nutritious dinner idea that is perfect for meal prep and batch cooking.
Get the recipe
24. Simple Carrot Pasta
This 30-minute carrot pasta recipe is a simple and delicious way to add more vegetables to your pasta! It's only 10 ingredients and so easy to make. Recipe is vegan and can easily be made gluten-free
Get the recipe
25. Roasted Red Pepper Cashew Cream Pasta
This vegan/dairy-free Roasted Red Pepper Cashew Cream Pasta is super quick and easy to make, nutrient-dense, and deliciously creamy!
Get the recipe
26. Baked Pesto Pasta
This 6-ingredient, oven-baked penne pesto pasta is an easy and cozy vegetarian dinner idea. Pasta is tossed with broccoli, cremini mushrooms, and pesto sauce, topped with shredded cheese, and baked in the oven until the cheese is melted, browned, and delicious!
Get the recipe
27. Mushroom Cashew Cream Pasta
This delicious mushroom cashew cream pasta sauce may taste decadent, but it's jam-packed with nutritious ingredients! Recipe is dairy-free, vegan, and can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta of choice.
Get the recipe
28. Caprese Pasta Salad
Bursting with flavour, this caprese pasta salad recipe is easy to make, or make-ahead. It's perfect for a BBQ, picnic, or packed lunch idea. Balsamic vinaigrette and pesto dressing options included!
Get the recipe
Pasta Sauces
In this section you’ll find some of my favourite stand-alone pasta sauce recipes. All recipes are 100% plant-based, and can be used with other dishes (like grain bowls)!
29. Miso Tahini Sauce
This creamy, "cheesy," and delicious miso tahini sauce is made with just 6 ingredients and takes only 5 minutes to make! It's a healthy vegan sauce that's perfect for pastas, grain bowls, and more!
Get the recipe
30. Vegan Hemp Seed Pesto
This homemade vegan hemp seed pesto is nutrient-dense and can be whipped up in just minutes! Recipe is nut, dairy, and gluten-free.
Get the recipe
31. Vegan Red Pesto (Sundried Tomatoes & Red Peppers)
With sun-dried tomatoes and roasted red peppers, this vegan red pesto sauce is easy and delicious! Serve it with pasta, or use it as a dip or a spread. Easily made with or without nuts.
Get the recipe
32. Creamy Vegan Zucchini Pesto
This quick 20-minute zucchini pesto sauce recipe is vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, and absolutely delicious. Raw, grated zucchini and fresh basil give this healthy homemade pesto sauce such a fresh taste and a generous serving of veggies in every bite. Serve it with pasta, grain bowls, as a spread, dip, and more!
Get the recipe
33. Creamy Ricotta Pesto
This creamy homemade ricotta pesto recipe pairs perfectly with pasta, proteins, or veggies! It's quick, easy, nutritious, and tastes amazing.
Get the recipe
Pasta Alternatives
While not your typical wheat-based pastas, I felt like I should include these “pasta alternatives,” in case you feel like trying something a little different! I never think veggies should replace traditional pasta noodles, but I love having them to switch things up from time to time.
34. Spaghetti Squash With Kale Pesto & Shrimp
This healthy spaghetti squash recipe is served with a kale miso pesto and sautéed shrimp. It's dairy-free, gluten-free, and high in fibre and protein. All you need is 10 ingredients!
Get the recipe
35. Spaghetti Squash With Tomato Sauce
This easy baked spaghetti squash recipe is stuffed with tomato sauce, goat cheese, and spinach. It's a simple, healthy, and super comforting vegetarian dinner idea. All you need are 7 ingredients!
Get the recipe
36. Sweet Potato “Fettuccine” With Shrimp & Veggies
This Sweet Potato "Fettuccine" is made with tons of veggies and shrimp for protein! It's simple, fresh, and absolutely delicious. Recipe is ready in 30 minutes, and is both gluten- and dairy-free.
Get the recipe
37. Vegetarian Spaghetti Squash Casserole
This Vegetarian Spaghetti Squash Casserole is packed with vegetables and protein. Spaghetti squash is cooked and mixed with a tasty homemade tempeh bolognese, then topped with freshly grated parmesan and oven-baked for a delicious weeknight dinner. Vegan/dairy-free option available.
Get the recipe
And there you have it – 35+ Easy, Healthy Pasta Recipes to cook and enjoy. I so hope you found some inspiration from this list!
More Recipe Round-Ups To Explore
- 20+ Easy, Healthy Vegetable Side Dish Recipes
- 15+ Easy, Healthy Egg Recipe Ideas
- 30 Healthy Plant-Based Breakfast Ideas
- 18 Healthy Lunch Ideas To Pack For Work
- 30+ Healthy Meal Prep Snack Recipes
- 30 Healthy Meal Prep Ideas For Lunch & Dinner
If you make any of these recipes, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram or Pinterest – seeing your creations always makes my day. You can also subscribe to my email list to never miss a new recipe or nutrition education post!
Get the Recipe: 35+ Easy, Healthy Pasta Recipes, Including Pasta With Garlic Shrimp
Proving pasta can be a healthy option, this easy pasta recipe is packed with fresh veggies, zoodles, tomatoes, spinach, herbs and garlic prawns. Plus more easy, healthy pasta recipes!
Ingredients
- Approx. 170 g pasta (enough for 2 people; choose gluten-free alternative if needed)
- 3 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1 large zucchini, spiralized (or 2 small)
- Approx. 18 medium-to-large prawns (shrimp)
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 a lemon, juice only (optional)
- Salt + pepper, to taste
- Freshly grated Parmesan Reggiano or nutritional yeast (dairy-free alternative)
Instructions
- Bring a pot of water to boil and cook pasta according to package directions. Drain when done.
- Using a spiralizer, make noodles out of zucchini. If you don't have a spiralizer, you can use a vegetable peeler to make zucchini "ribbons," or just chop the zucchini into 1-inch pieces (see note).
- Heat a large pan over medium and add 2 Tbsp olive oil, minced garlic, and oregano. Sauté for a minute, then add tomatoes and sauté for about 5 minutes. Add spinach and cook until spinach is wilted.
- Heat another pan over medium-high heat and add remaining Tbsp of olive oil. Once hot, cook prawns for 1-2 minutes on each side. Prawns are cooked once they turn pink and opaque. Remove from heat once done.
- Add zucchini noodles, drained pasta, and fresh basil to the large pan with tomatoes and spinach. Stir together for 2 mins, adjusting spices to taste.
- Serve pasta and top with prawns, lemon juice, freshly grated parmesan reggiano, and an extra drizzle of olive oil as desired. Enjoy immediately!
Notes
*If you don’t want to spiralize zucchini and prefer to chop it into smaller pieces, cook the zucchini at the same time as the tomatoes. The reason the zoodles are added at the end is because they cook very fast!
*Cooked zucchini can at times be very watery. If that’s the case, simply drain off the excess liquid before serving.
*For gluten-free version, simply use certified gluten-free pasta noodles.
*For dairy-free version, simply omit parmesan topping or swap with nutritional yeast or other dairy-free alternative.
*This is a loose recipe and can be modified based on what you have on hand. Try it with other sautéed veggies, like bell peppers, carrots, kale, broccoli, etc!
Did you make this recipe?
Let me know by leaving a recipe rating below, or by tagging @walderwellness on Instagram. I love seeing your beautiful creations!
You'll Also Love
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy.
