50 Healthy Pasta Recipes That Will Satiate Every Pasta Lover (2024)

Looking to convert a spiralized veggie skeptic? Make them these cacio e pepe sweet potato noodles. Tossed in buttery black pepper sauce and showered with Parmesan and Pecorino, these sweet potato noodles are so delicious that no one will even think about asking for “regular” pasta.

Get the Cacio E Pepe Sweet Potato Noodles recipe.

This is the vegan pasta you make for lifelong dairy lovers. Rich and creamy, with deep tomato flavor, it’s sure to have everyone digging back into the pot for another serving. Sun-dried tomatoes and a hefty dose of tomato paste team up to create a robust sauce that tastes like it’s been simmering all day, while a homemade vegan cream made from quick-soaked cashews rounds it out. A shower of spiced toasted cashews grated over top gives it the perfect finishing touch.

Get the Creamy Tomato Vegan Pasta recipe.

Sure, spaghetti squash is tasty when steamed and tossed with butter. But to really take it to the next level, you'll want to take a cue from a classic Italian pasta preparation: cacio e pepe, which means "cheese and pepper" in several Italian dialects. Air Fryer Cacio e Pepe Spaghetti Squash offers a refreshing spin on the gluten-free side. A lighter preparation than alfredo sauce, cacio e pepe spaghetti squash is tossed with Parmesan and a generous amount of black pepper. Each bite is savory and a little spicy, perfect for satisfying a craving for pasta in a low-carb package.

Get the Air Fryer Cacio e Pepe Spaghetti Squash recipe.

If you're a kale-aholic, this dark-green pesto will become an instant fave. This recipe makes enough sauce for a pound of pasta! But it'd be delicious over our chicken Margherita too.

Get the Kale Pesto recipe.

Delicious vegan mac & cheese might sound like an oxymoron, but trust us, this cheese sauce is good enough to satiate the strongest dairy craving.

Get the .

Don't miss out on Italian pasta just because you're cutting carbs. OK, fine: There's not actually any ziti in this recipe. But you honestly won't even notice. The roasted cauliflower does a solid job of replacing the pasta, trust us.

Get the Cauliflower Baked Ziti recipe.

You CAN make an ultra-creamy, velvety smooth Alfredo sauce, sans dairy, thanks to cashews. Freshly cracked black pepper adds a little burst of heat, but feel free to add some red pepper flakes too. Top with parsley or basil to make it extra-special too.

Get the Cashew Cream Alfredo recipe.

Though you totally could roast your own peppers for this dish, we actually preferred the jarred version while testing this recipe. The store-bought variety tends to be more tender, which makes for a smoother, more velvety sauce. Creamy, smoky, and spicy, this comforting shrimp pasta is low effort, high reward.

Get the Roasted Red Pepper Shrimp Linguine recipe.

When comfort calls, don't ignore it. This pasta is packed with protein and flavor thanks to tempeh and a simple garlic-lemon sauce. It's simple enough for a weeknight dinner, but special enough to serve for date night too.

Get the .

This easy one-pot chicken dinner has got it all: protein, carbs, and fresh veggies all in one skillet for a complete dinner. The flavors in this recipe take their cues from shawarma, the popular Levantine dish that features thin cuts of seasoned meat. For an interactive dinner, serve this chicken shawarma with extra sauces on the side, like tzatziki, tahini sauce, or baba ghanoush.

Get the One-Pot Shawarma Chicken and Orzo Skillet recipe.

Looking for a hearty weeknight dinner? Our smoky vegetarian chili mac is here to save the day! It all comes together in one pot, and it's SUPER versatile. Throw in your favorite bean and pasta shape, melt in your favorite cheese, and top with whatever you like! (As long as it's crunchy 😉).

Get the One-Pot Vegetarian Chili Mac recipe.

In this recipe, cauliflower gets mashed into a paste to create a light sauce for the pasta that adds a ton of flavor. It's simple, light, and perfect for when you want comfort without being weighed down by something overly rich. The toasted walnuts on top add a nice crunch and really complete the dish, but feel free to skip or swap for another nut.

Get the Garlicky Roasted Cauliflower Pasta recipe.

These are, by their soft, tender, and pillowy nature, very rustic—one might even call them ugly. But worry not: Once you sauté them in butter, herbs, and pistachios, they will look every bit as delicious as they smell. You can also use them as you would store-bought gnocchi, like in our creamy kale and gnocchi recipe.

Get the Carrot Gnocchi recipe.

Yes, classic lasagna is delicious, but when we're craving something a tad less carb-heavy, we turn to this summery zucchini version. Pro tip: Zucchini releases a good amount of water, so we like to dab it with a paper towel when the lasagna is done cooking, and then broil until the cheese is bubbly and crispy. 😍

Get the Zucchini Lattice Lasagna recipe.

As much as we looove pasta, sometimes we crave something on the lighter side. Zucchini noodles are healthy, easy to prepare, and are the perfect blank canvas for your favorite sauces—to start, try them anywhere you'd use spaghetti.

Get the Zucchini Noodles recipe.

Lasagnas can do no wrong. They're the most soul-satisfying food around, and this one is no exception. It also proves that pasta isn't necessary. With no noodles to boil, it's almost easier to make than a classic lasagna.

Get the Sweet Potato Lasagna recipe.

Cacio E Pepe is one of our all time FAVORITE pasta dishes. This lightened-up version calls for making your pasta from scratch—the good news is it's SO much easier than it sounds. All you need is a good nonstick pan. It's so simple and yet so fun to make and, of course, absolutely delicious.

Get the Cacio E Pepe Egg Noodles recipe.

What isn’t pesto good in? It’s a sauce that turns any dish into kitchen gold, especially this totally comforting and delicious gnocchi and chicken bake. For the perfect pesto touch, stir a dollop into the tomato mixture to coat everything, then dollop the top with more right out of the oven for a fresh finish.

Get the .

Forget pumpkin. During fall, we're all about cooking with butternut squash. Here the creamy autumn vegetable essentially replaces the marinara or bolognese. Instead, the lasagna layers are filled butternut squash, spinach, bechamel, and cheese. The combination is ridiculously cozy and comforting.

Get the Butternut Squash Lasagna recipe.

Spaghetti squash turns one of favorite pasta dishes into a gluten-free, low-carb treat! This is the perfect dinner to keep things fresh, and if you dig this, you'll have to try this primavera stuffed chicken next!

Get the Chicken Primavera Spaghetti Squash Boats recipe.