10 Gut-Healthy Pasta Dinners for Busy Weeknights

Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Josh Hoggle.

Getting a satisfying dinner on the table is easier than ever with these gut-healthy pasta recipes. Each dish meets our gut-healthy nutrition parameters, featuring ingredients that help support a healthy gut microbiome, and provide at least 6 grams of fiber per serving. Plus, they take just30 minutes or less of active cooking time.  Try options like our Creamy Zucchini Spaghetti and Baked Brie, Sun-Dried Tomato & Spinach Pasta for a weeknight dinner that provides plenty of flavor and minimal fuss.

01 of 10

Baked Lemon Boursin Pasta with Spring Vegetables

Credit: Photographer: Stacy Allen, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle.
Credit: Photographer: Stacy Allen, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle.

This easy baked pasta combines creamy Boursin cheese, bright lemon and a mix of spring vegetables into a fresh and comforting dinner. Everything cooks in one dish, allowing the pasta to absorb all the flavors. It’s a simple, veggie-forward meal that’s perfect for spring.

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02 of 10

Easy Pasta with Tomato Sauce

Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Lauren Odum, Prop Styling: Josh Hoggle
Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Lauren Odum, Prop Styling: Josh Hoggle

This simple pasta features fresh plum tomatoes cooked down into a rustic, chunky sauce with garlic, herbs and a touch of butter for richness. It’s an easy, satisfying dinner that comes together quickly using pantry staples and a handful of fresh ingredients.

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03 of 10

Pesto Pasta with Peas & Tomatoes

Credit: Ali Redmond
Credit: Ali Redmond

This Pesto Pasta with Peas & Tomatoes is a bright, flavorful dish that comes together quickly. Pasta is cooked alongside frozen sweet peas, then tossed with juicy cherry tomatoes and basil pesto for a fresh, herbaceous finish. You can serve it warm or chilled, making it perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks or picnics. A sprinkle of Parmesan and a squeeze of lemon add the perfect final touch.

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04 of 10

High-Protein Dill Chicken Orzo

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spolle.
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spolle.

This one-pan dinner delivers on protein and flavor with tender chicken cutlets, whole-wheat orzo and wilted kale in a creamy, lemony herb sauce. Dill and scallions add fresh brightness, while a bold homemade spice blend brings the flavor.

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05 of 10

Creamy Zucchini Spaghetti

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless.
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless.

This creamy spaghetti with zucchini is a comforting pasta dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights and when you have a bumper crop of zucchini on hand. Spaghetti is coated in a silky, garlic-infused cream sauce that clings to every bite, while fresh zucchini slices add a touch of sweetness and a pop of color. This dish comes together quickly and pairs well with a simple green salad or crusty bread.

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06 of 10

Spaghetti with Mushrooms, Spinach & Ricotta

Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Josh Hoggle.
Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Josh Hoggle.

This five-ingredient spaghetti is a cozy dish that is both comforting and effortless. Earthy mushrooms, spinach and garlic flavor the pasta alongside whole-milk ricotta that creates a creamy sauce. You can elevate the flavor even more by using wild mushrooms for a deeper savory flavor and finishing with a squeeze of lemon to brighten everything up.

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07 of 10

One-Pot Spinach, Chicken Sausage & Feta Pasta

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

A little bit of Sunday meal prep goes a long way in this one-dish pasta recipe. Cooking the pasta ahead and refrigerating it saves time here—or use any leftover cooked pasta you have on hand. Chicken sausage with feta is especially good in this recipe.

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08 of 10

Baked Brie, Sun-Dried Tomato & Spinach Pasta

Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

This baked Brie, sun-dried tomato and spinach pasta is the ultimate comfort dish with a touch of sophistication. The creamy melted Brie creates a velvety sauce that fills in the ridges of fusilli pasta, ensuring the sauce clings to every bite, while Parmesan cheese gives it a nutty, savory depth. Sun-dried tomatoes bring a tangy sweetness that balances the richness. Add a hint of heat with a little crushed red pepper, plus wilted spinach for earthy notes and nutrients, and you’ve got a balanced dish that feels both hearty and refined.

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09 of 10

Roasted Tomato, Eggplant & Orzo Casserole

Credit: Photographer: Grant Webster, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Dera Burreson.
Credit: Photographer: Grant Webster, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Dera Burreson.

Roasting the vegetables at a high temperature gives this hearty vegetarian casserole deep, caramelized flavor with minimal effort. Whole-wheat orzo cooks directly in the baking dish, soaking up the savory broth for a comforting one-pan dinner finished with creamy feta and fresh basil.

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10 of 10

One-Pot White Bean, Spinach & Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo with Lemon & Feta

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

This one-pot pasta dish with white beans, spinach and sun-dried tomatoes is lively and vibrant and leaves you with an easy cleanup. Toasting the orzo before adding the broth adds another layer of flavor. Another dark, leafy green, such as chopped kale or Swiss chard, can stand in for the spinach, but it may take longer to wilt in the pan. If you use a sturdier green, add it to the pan during the last 5 minutes of cooking time.

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