36 healthy pasta recipes

Pasta can easily form part of a balanced and healthy diet. Whether a meat eater or a vegan, you can support your health with delicious and nutrient-rich toppings or sauces which add more vitamins and minerals, protein, calcium and good fats. From lighter linguine to super-simple low-fat spaghetti, we have the best pasta ideas to make healthy meals with spaghetti, penne, pasta shells and more.

For more healthy meal inspiration, take a look at our quick and healthy recipes, healthy curry recipes, healthy takeaways and healthy Italian recipes.

Our Health Editor says…

"As I'm often cooking for the family, pasta tends to be a failsafe. I try to use wholemeal pasta for the fibre, and mix it up with different sauces. I love using fresh herbs, omega-packed anchovies and a bit of extra crunch from some nuts, seeds or breadcrumbs. Plenty of EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) is a must!" Emma Hartfield

Best healthy pasta recipes

Healthy gnocchi

With a simple hazelnut pesto and plenty of extra veg, this golden gnocchi dish is hearty and delicious.

Cauliflower and caramelised onion pasta with pine nuts

This unusual main is vegan, low in calories and salt, and ready in 40 minutes. The slow-cooked onions add a depth of flavour and sweetness, especially with the addition of plump raisins.

Prawn pasta with tomato, chilli and basil

A classic dish that works all year round and gives a good hit of protein. Play around with the proportions to make this your own.

Chicken pasta salad

Throw together this quick and easy pasta salad using leftover chicken, tomatoes and greens for a protein-packed lunch or dinner.

Salad bag pasta

Make this health veggie pasta for a dinner that's ready in under 20 minutes. Blanched almonds add richness, leafy greens bring iron, and ricotta and good olive oil take it next level.

Rupy's high-protein rigatoni

The walnut, tempeh and Puy lentil blend in this recipe delivers on the protein and fibre needs for your gut wellbeing – plus the flavour is phenomenal.

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.

Vegan lasagne

Packed with rich flavours from mushrooms, red wine and lentils, plus a vegan white sauce, this lower calorie lasagne is worth the effort.

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.

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.

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 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.

’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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Spinach pasta

Low in salt and sugar, this speedy midweek meal is packed with vibrant spinach and finished with a creamy lemon sauce.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.