18 Pasta Recipes That Can Actually Help You Lose Weight
Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD
If you’re looking to lose weight, you can still enjoy a hearty bowl of pasta. These pasta recipes are low in calories and high in fiber and/or proteina combination that supports healthy weight loss, better digestion and helps you feel fuller for longer. Recipes like our Marry Me Chicken & Spinach Penne Skillet and our High-Fiber Pasta with Tomato Sauce are flavorful, nutritious and will keep you feeling satisfied as you work towards your goals.
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High-Protein Roasted Vegetable & Bean Pasta Salad

This easy pasta salad is a crowd-pleasing dish for any occasion. Roasted vegetables and white beans add plant-based fiber and protein, while a quick herb vinaigrette ties everything together. If you want to make it more filling, grilled chicken would be an excellent addition.
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02 of 18
Marry Me Chicken & Spinach Penne Skillet

This easy “marry-me” dinner combines tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes and whole-wheat pasta in a creamy, Parmesan-infused sauce. Fresh spinach and basil brighten the rich flavors, making this comforting meal weeknight-friendly yet special enough for company.
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03 of 18
This High-Fiber Pasta with Tomato Sauce

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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04 of 18
Baked Lemon Boursin Pasta with Spring Vegetables

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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05 of 18
Pesto Pasta with Peas & Tomatoes

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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06 of 18
Creamy Basil-Tomato Chicken Pasta Bake

This creamy tomato-chicken pasta bake is comfort food at its finest. Tender chicken breast is baked along with juicy cherry tomatoes and creamy Boursin cheese for a rich, herby sauce. The chicken is shredded and returned to the dish with cooked pasta and fresh basil, then baked with fontina cheese on top until bubbly. This easy pasta bake is a complete meal that delivers big flavor.
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07 of 18
High-Protein Pasta Salad

This high-protein pasta salad is a satisfying dish packed with plant-based protein from chickpea pasta and chickpeas, with an extra boost coming from fresh mozzarella cheese pearls. Tossed with fresh veggies and flavored with zingy za’atar seasoning, this salad is perfect for meal prep, a quick lunch or a satisfying dinner.
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08 of 18
Creamy Spaghetti with Brussels Sprouts

This Brussels sprouts spaghetti is comfort food at its finest. The pasta simmers directly in broth for a starchy, full-bodied base that gets coated in a creamy Asiago sauce with a subtle kick of red pepper. Brussels sprouts and shallots add caramelized sweetness and earthy depth, while fresh basil brightens the final dish. It’s a one-pan dinner that’s perfect for a weeknight meal when the cozy vibes are calling.
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09 of 18
High-Protein Pasta with Peas

This one-pot pasta with peas is packed with plant-based protein and a healthy dose of fiber. The chickpea pasta is cooked with vibrant green peas and tossed with fragrant basil and a rich pesto sauce for fresh flavor in every bite. Nutty toasted pine nuts provide the perfect crunch, adding depth and texture.
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10 of 18
Creamy Caramelized Cauliflower Pasta

This creamy cauliflower pasta is the ultimate comfort food—rich, velvety and flavorful. With simple ingredients and quick prep, it’s a satisfying dish that feels fancy without the fuss and is the ideal meal for a cozy weeknight dinner. Add a squeeze of lemon or a pinch of chile flakes to elevate this easy, comforting classic even more!
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11 of 18
Baked Creamed Spinach Pasta

This baked creamed spinach pasta is comfort in a bowl—creamy, cheesy and utterly delicious! This crowd-pleasing dish combines the velvety richness of creamed spinach with tender pasta, all baked to bubbly perfection. It’s an easy, satisfying meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Serve it with a crisp green salad and some garlic bread for a dinner that everyone will rave about.
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12 of 18
Pasta with Garlicky Tomato Sauce & Bay Scallops

This scallop pasta is an easy yet elegant dish that delivers restaurant-quality flavor without the fuss. Sweet, tender bay scallops are lightly seared to perfection and combined with a fresh, garlicky tomato sauce simmered with zucchini to deepen the flavors. When buying scallops, look for ones that are dry-packed and don’t feature artificial preservatives.
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13 of 18
Creamy Chicken, Brussels Sprouts & Mushrooms One-Pot Pasta

You’ll only have to dirty one pot in this easy pasta recipe that cooks chicken and vegetables right along with the noodles. Plus, by using the exact amount of water you need to cook the pasta, the starch that usually gets drained off with your pasta water stays in the pot, giving you delectably creamy results.
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14 of 18
One-Pot Spinach, Chicken Sausage & Feta Pasta

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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15 of 18
Spinach & Artichoke Dip Pasta

If you’ve ever wanted to make a meal out of warm spinach and artichoke dip, this creamy pasta is for you. And here’s what’s almost as good as the flavor of this comforting dish: the fact that this healthy dinner takes just 20 minutes to prepare.
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16 of 18
Chicken & Spinach Skillet Pasta with Lemon & Parmesan

This chicken pasta combines lean chicken breast and sautéed spinach for a meal that’s garlicky, lemony and best served with a little Parm on top. I call it “Mom’s Skillet Pasta,” and she called it “Devon’s Favorite Pasta.” Either way, it’s a quick and easy weeknight dinner we created together and scribbled on a little recipe card more than a decade ago, and it remains in my weekly dinner rotation to this day. It’s a simple dinner the whole family will love.
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17 of 18
American Goulash

American goulash, also known as old-fashioned goulash, is the perfect economical family meal. The pasta cooks right in the sauce, so this satisfying dish can be made in just one pot.
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Skillet Ravioli Lasagna

This easy inside-out ravioli lasagna is the ultimate weeknight comfort food—no layering or mixing bowls required. Feel free to swap in ground turkey for the beef. Look for fresh mozzarella balls (also called “pearls”) in the specialty cheese section of your grocery store.
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