Healthy Pasta Recipes

Jan 8, 2023 · Written by Dannii Martin · This post may contain affiliate links which earn us commissions if purchases are made · 82 Comments

One of the first questions people ask me when they ask how I lost 100lbs was did I cut anything out? More specifically, did I cut out carbs. The simple answer is, I didn't cut out any food group - I just watched my portions. Pasta was very much a part of my "diet" (oh how I love pasta). Not only did I watch my portion sizes, but I made some healthier ingredient swaps to make these healthy pasta recipes.

A bowl of turkey pasta next to a towel and a block of Parmesan.

Remember, you don't have to cut anything out (unless you have dietary requirements of course), you just have to get a bit smarter with your cooking and make a few small changes.

Healthy Mac and Cheese

4.91 from 40 votes

This Healthy Mac and Cheese is made with a really simple, but super easy, cheesy sauce and is packed with hidden veggies too.

Here's the recipe for Healthy Mac and Cheese

Healthy mac and cheese in a round dish with a portion scooped out.

A baking dish containing mac and cheese. Some has been scooped out with a spoon

Quick Broccoli Pasta

5 from 21 votes

Our Quick Broccoli Pasta is ready in under 15 minutes and a great way to get some more green vegetables in your diet.

Here's the recipe for Quick Broccoli Pasta

Quick Broccoli Pasta on a large plate next to a purple towel.

Creamy Avocado Pasta

5 from 32 votes

Creamy pasta sauce doesn't have to be unhealthy, and we have made a super creamy sauce by blending up some avocado and adding lemon and basil for extra flavour.

Here's the recipe for Creamy Avocado Pasta

A bowl of Creamy Avocado Pasta with chilli flakes sprinkled on top.

Avocado pasta in two bowls next to a side salad

Sausage Pasta Bake

4.79 from 91 votes

This sausage pasta bake is a delicious and comforting dish that's easy to adapt. It's a simple weeknight dinner that the whole family will love.

Here's the recipe for Sausage Pasta Bake

Sausage pasta bake with a portion being spooned out.

A large serving dish full of sausage pasta bake.

Garlic Prawn Spaghetti

4.87 from 30 votes

A truly delicious pasta dish doesn't need more than a few ingredients and this Garlic Prawn Spaghetti is proof of that. If you are a garlic lover, then this one is for you.

Here's the recipe for Garlic Prawn Spaghetti

Garlic Prawn Spaghetti on a plate with a lemon half.

A plate of tomato and prawn spaghetti next to a board of bead and a bowl of salad.

Vegetable Pasta Bake

4.96 from 25 votes

An easy and healthy dish that the whole family will love. Bursting with chunky vegetables, mixed with pasta and baked until crispy.

Here's the recipe for Vegetable Pasta Bake

Vegetable Pasta Bake in a large rectangular baking dish.

A large baking dish full of pasta bake. A wooden spoon is pushed into it.

Healthy Carbonara

4.69 from 70 votes

A classic Italian dish, but this is our healthier version. It still has all the flavour, but this Healthy Carbonara is lighter and ready in under 20 minutes.

Here's the recipe for Healthy Carbonara

A plate of healthy carbonara next to a bowl of salad.

A plate of mushroom carbonara next to a bowl of salad.

More Pasta Recipes

If you’ve tried any of these healthy pasta recipes, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

You'll love these too...

Comments

Maria @ runningcupcake says

August 12, 2014 at 6:23 pm

I like pasta- we have it with pesto and veggies, so delicious. We have started having gnocchi with tomato and basil sauce too, delish!

Reply
- Dannii says
  
  August 12, 2014 at 6:34 pm
  
  I love gnocchi. We only tried it about a year ago, but can't get enough of it now.
  
  Reply
Jacqueline Meldrum says

August 02, 2014 at 12:09 am

Thanks for hosting Dannii. You had some great entries.

Reply
- Dannii says
  
  August 02, 2014 at 5:45 pm
  
  You're welcome :)
  
  Reply
Jeanne Horak-Druiff says

August 01, 2014 at 12:12 am

Some pasta gems in here! Always nice to have some lighter pasta options in store for the summer months :)

Reply
- Dannii says
  
  August 01, 2014 at 11:37 am
  
  Summer is all about the light pasta dishes, isn't it.
  
  Reply
Kate @ Veggie Desserts says

July 31, 2014 at 8:42 pm

So many lovely pasta recipes! I love the look of the gnocchi and the pasta with sweet potatoes. Yum!

Reply
- Dannii says
  
  August 01, 2014 at 11:45 am
  
  I hope you enjoy trying them.
  
  Reply
Chrissie says

July 31, 2014 at 4:32 pm

Wonderful collection of ideas for pasta. So much nicer than tomato sauce out of a jar! my favourites are the creamy ones.

Reply
- Dannii says
  
  July 31, 2014 at 5:09 pm
  
  I love creamy pasta dishes too. Luckily they are easy to make healthier.
  
  Reply
Rach @ This Italian Family says

July 31, 2014 at 4:24 pm

Mmmm! I love pasta!

Reply
- Dannii says
  
  July 31, 2014 at 5:10 pm
  
  Me too!
  
  Reply
Breige says

July 31, 2014 at 12:45 pm

I'll be coming back to this whenever I plan to get pasta for dinner! It's nice to change things up. Recently I've been loving pasta with LOADS of veg and pesto mixed in as a sauce

Reply
- Dannii says
  
  July 31, 2014 at 5:10 pm
  
  I am loving pesto at the moment too. It is so quick.
  
  Reply
Ellie says

July 31, 2014 at 11:46 am

Pasta is my weakness so these are great!

Reply
- Dannii says
  
  July 31, 2014 at 5:10 pm
  
  Mine too, but luckily it can be healthy too :)
  
  Reply
Camilla @FabFood4All says

July 31, 2014 at 11:43 am

A fabulous selection of pasta dishes to inspire! I'm sure my daughter in particular would love most of these:-)

Reply
- Dannii says
  
  July 31, 2014 at 5:11 pm
  
  I hope she enjoys them :)
  
  Reply
Megan says

July 31, 2014 at 10:25 am

Yum! the Spaghetti with Sweet Potatoes and Garlicky Chard looks epic! I think finding ways to make your fave dishes lighter is such a good idea! X

Reply
- Dannii says
  
  July 31, 2014 at 10:41 am
  
  I am always looking for new creative ways to use sweet potato.
  
  Reply
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong says

July 30, 2014 at 11:03 pm

Amazing and healthy pasta recipes you have listed here.. ohh that prarn pasta looks mind blowing.. Yummm!!

Reply
- Dannii says
  
  July 31, 2014 at 10:43 am
  
  Lots of delicious choice.
  
  Reply