From lighter linguine to super-simple low-fat spaghetti, we have the best pasta ideas to make healthy meals with spaghetti, penne pasta, pasta shells and more. Then try our creamy pasta recipes and sausage pasta recipes.
For more healthy meal inspiration, take a look at our quick and healthy recipes, healthy curry recipes, healthy takeaways and healthy Italian recipes.
Best healthy pasta recipes
Healthy salmon pasta
Nadine Brown’s healthier spin on creamy salmon pasta proves you can keep dinners light while feeling satisfied and fuller for longer.
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Healthy spaghetti bolognese
This spaghetti bolognese has slightly less meat in than usual but no less flavour, and is bulked out with lentils for healthy fibre. You could also use vegetarian mince, if you like.
Tuna pasta bake
An absolute classic, made even more wonderful with the addition of dried chilli flakes and rosemary. It's a real crowd-pleaser.
Vegan bolognese
Check out our meat-free bolognese. This family favourite uses mushrooms and plenty of veg, making it a low-fat, healthy, vegan meal that everyone will love.
Tomato, spinach and mascarpone gnocchi
Our tomato, spinach and mascarpone gnocchi makes a quick and easy midweek meal, ready in just 20 minutes. Grill this warming veggie gnocchi until bubbling and golden for ultimate comfort.
Green linguine
Check out this super-simple linguine, made with peas, broad beans, leeks and ricotta. It's packed with veg and makes a great midweek meal for two.
Rigatoni with courgette, lemon and parmesan
Turn courgette into a stylish veggie supper with this delicious pasta dish. Comforting, colourful and ready in just 20 minutes, this is one for summer weeknights.
Spicy prawn linguine
Our prawn linguine has a rich tomato sauce with a good chilli kick. Serve with rocket for a healthy midweek meal that's full of flavour. Check out our other hot and spicy recipes.
Orzo risotto with cavolo nero, peas and chilli
Make our creamy veggie orzo risotto with cavolo nero, sweet peas and punchy chilli for a warming midweek meal. Orzo pasta makes a great base for risottos, and requires less stirring.
Chicken pasta salad
Throw together this quick and easy pasta salad using leftover chicken, tomatoes and greens for a protein-packed lunch or dinner.
Baked orzo with harissa prawns
Flavour prawns with harissa, dill, garlic and lemon, then serve swirled through orzo pasta, baked with tomatoes, for a speedy but sophisticated supper.
One-pot puttanesca
This one-pan puttanesca is an easy meal for one. The pasta soaks up the flavours, and the starch from the pasta makes the sauce rich and creamy. One pot also means less washing-up.
Turkey ragu
Like a healthier version of spaghetti bolognese, this low-fat and high-protein ragu comes packed with celery, courgette and carrots, plus a little Marmite for a deeper savoury note.
One-pot creamy lemon and spinach ravioli
Take shop-bought ravioli to the next level and turn it into a nutritious vegetarian meal for two. This creamy one-pot pasta dish is ready in a flash and so good, you'll come back to it again and again.
Pasta salad with bocconcini, capers and tomatoes
Pasta gets tossed with tomatoes, olive oil, red wine vinegar and capers here, before being finished off with mozzarella cheese balls and fresh herbs. A great veggie dinner that's ready in 20 minutes.
Orzo, bean and tuna salad
Turn storecupboard staples like tinned tuna, jarred red peppers and olives into this vibrant, nutritious orzo pasta salad, on the table in 20 minutes.
Healthy prawn linguine with ’nduja
'Nduja is a spicy, spreadable sausage from Italy. It works so well in this healthy prawn pasta, which is super-quick and easy to make, but is packed with big flavours.
One-pot pasta with anchovies and Tenderstem broccoli
This one-pot pasta is not only low in calories but low-cost, too. It's simple to put together; plus it's packed full of punchy flavours. If you don't have fusilli in your cupboard then wholemeal rotini works just as well.
Avocado fusilli pasta
Avocados make everything from salad dressing to ice cream super-creamy, so why not put them in a pasta sauce? It’s a great way to use up over-ripe avocados.
Orzo deli salad
Check out this vegan pasta salad with crunchy red onion and sweet sun-blush tomatoes. This lighter recipe is low in calories, but still just as satisfying as regular pasta salad.
Cottage cheese alfredo
Make a low-calorie, smooth and creamy pasta sauce in 15 minutes using just cottage cheese, milk, garlic granules and a little cornflour... magic!
Orecchiette pasta salad with prawns, basil, feta and tomato caper dressing
Check out this pasta salad with crumbly feta, prawns, basil and a simple caper and tomato dressing. This quick dish is low in calories and ready in under 30 minutes.
Ravioli with buttered lemon greens
This recipe is super zesty and buttery and great when you're short on time. Low in calories and meat-free make this the perfect Monday night supper.
Vegetarian lasagne
Try our veggie alternative to classic meat lasagne with layers of greens and fresh pesto. This combination of kale, ricotta and leeks keeps the dish low in calories and easy to whip up – a great midweek meal the whole family will love.
Wholewheat spaghetti with long-stemmed broccoli, chilli and lemon
This vegan recipe for wholewheat spaghetti with long-stemmed broccoli, chilli and lemon is quick and easy to make, plus, it's pasta for under 500 calories - what's not to love about that?
Penne alla norma
Check out this easy gluten-free tomato pasta with aubergine topped with fresh basil. This simple recipe is veggie friendly and makes for an easy weekday supper.
Orecchiette with anchovies, cavolo nero and caramelised onions
This low-calorie, simple but tasty pasta dish with salty anchovies and fresh seasonal cavolo nero makes a quick and easy evening meal for two. Cavolo nero, also known as black kale, is a rich but robust brassica, originally from Tuscany. It’s great in soups, stews and hearty pasta dishes.
’Nduja prawns with orzo, feta and olive salad
Check out our orzo salad with spicy 'nduja pesto, crumbly feta and juicy prawns. Make this simple salad for a summery meal that's low in calories but big on flavour.
Penne with chopped puttanesca sauce
There are no anchovies in this healthy puttanesca, to keep it vegetarian. The chopped puttanesca sauce is left to stand for 10 minutes while cooking the penne, to allow the flavours to develop. The sauce is elevated with olives, capers, garlic and chilli and would also work well tossed through cold pasta for a summery salad.
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Broccoli, chilli and lemon wholewheat pasta
A healthy, vegetarian pasta dish for two. Wholewheat spaghetti adds fibre without affecting the taste. And broccoli is added to the pasta at the end of cooking. The chilli, lemon and garlic sauce makes a flavoursome, zesty addition with a kick of heat to coat the pasta.
