You may hear the word “pasta” and automatically think of a hearty, indulgent meal. But when you remove the cream-laden sauces and rich meats, pasta can actually make a perfect light lunch or dinner, especially if it contains plenty of healthy produce. Are you looking for healthy, vegetable-rich pasta recipes? You have arrived at the right place. The best part is, all of these vegetable pasta recipes come together quickly, so you can get a nutritious dinner on the table faster, even on your busiest days.
Orecchiette with ricotta and chard sauce
Because orecchiette (meaning “little ears”) is shaped like little spoons, it’s ideal for soaking up the delicious sauce — made with just a little butter to add richness — in this pasta dish with healthy vegetables. Cooking the Swiss chard in olive oil before adding it to the pasta helps release some of its juices, making this simple recipe even tastier.
Pasta with ham and green vegetables
If you’re pressed for time and need dinner on the table quickly, be sure to keep this recipe on hand. This all-in-one wonder is a total lifesaver when things start to get hectic: it’s ready in just 20 minutes and cleanup is a breeze. It’s hard to beat how flavorful ham, kale, and pasta can be when served together in a garlic butter sauce.
Noodles and “Zoodles” with Saffron and Cream
If you’ve never made “zoodles” (aka zucchini noodles), this is a great dish to try. They’re mixed with regular spaghetti so you don’t miss the pasta in this recipe. Plus, once you add some flavorful, crispy pancetta to your bowl, you might not even notice you’re eating veggies.
Chickpea and spring vegetable alfredo
Whether you’re having vegan friends over for dinner or exploring a vegan diet yourself, this Chickpea Alfredo Sauce is sure to be a winner. You start by soaking the cashews, which act like a “cream” when mixed with chickpea flour and water. Trust us: once you pour the sauce over fettuccine, fresh asparagus, spinach, and peas, you’ll never be able to tell this recipe is dairy-free.
Pasta with Pesto and Charred Radicchio
This restaurant-quality dish is one you’ll want to add to your regular rotation of dishes when you’re craving veggie pasta. Rigatoni or your other favorite tube-shaped pasta makes the perfect vessel for herb pesto (make your own or buy it, we won’t tell). Served with spicy radicchio, this is a meal you’ll feel good about serving to your guests.
Pasta and grilled vegetable salad
Give plain pasta a smoky twist by incorporating a variety of fresh-off-the-grill vegetables. Red peppers, zucchini, asparagus and red onion make this pasta salad unique and healthy And tasty. Since the vegetables are the real star of the show here, it makes sense to let them shine on their own, so the only sauce this healthy vegetable pasta needs is a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Spaghetti with pan-fried asparagus
You may be used to seeing green asparagus on your plate, but white asparagus, commonly eaten in Europe, is just as tasty and healthy. Shake up your plate by swapping this green vegetable for its white counterpart and grabbing it in a pan. Serve over spaghetti and finish with breadcrumbs and hazelnuts for crunch: you’ll want to turn to this healthy dinner again and again.
Pumpkin and Kale Macaroni Alfredo
When the pumpkin becomes tasty instead of being sweet, the result is utterly delicious and makes a great comfort meal on chilly nights. Pumpkin adds creaminess to this easy pasta dish, along with a healthy boost of vitamin A, vitamin C, and antioxidants. Stir in plenty of fresh kale at the end, which will make your macaroni even brighter and fresher.
Italian turkey and penne mixture
Lots of spices, fresh spinach and lean ground turkey give this recipe a delicious burst of flavor. You’ll use the same pan to cook your meat sauce and your multigrain penne pasta, making cleanup easier. Make sure to add the spinach at the very end so it doesn’t get too mushy.
Roasted Tomato and Artichoke Pasta
Think roasted vegetables Is it too long for a busy night? Think again. To make a juicy and delicious sauce for this pasta, simply roast cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives and artichoke hearts for less than 12 minutes. Next, get your fork ready: After roasting, simply spoon the vegetable mixture over the cooked pasta and dig in.
Garden Vegetable Linguine with Cilantro Pesto
Why limit yourself to basil pesto when there are so many other herbs that will shine just as well? Here, cilantro adds complex citrus flavor to this pesto alternative, which covers linguine noodles and tons of fresh zucchini and baby carrots in this healthy pasta and veggie recipe.
Buffalo Pasta “Chicken”
This recipe uses “chicken” strips or fillets (instead of real meat) to bring the protein to 11 grams per serving while remaining vegetarian. Light jarred Alfredo sauce, boosted by chopped pepper and onion, creates a flavorful sauce, while accessories like blue cheese, hot sauce and celery give all the buffalo wing flavor you could possibly want. to wish.
Chicken and vegetable spaghetti
It’s time to break out some basic spaghetti! This fresh spaghetti has a new look (and lots of protein) with little bites of chicken breast, plus a boost of nutrition from broccolini, pearl onions, and cherry tomatoes. The best part? The total time from cooking your pasta to serving time is approximately 20 minutes.
Fettuccine Alfredo with dried tomatoes and vegetables
What if we told you that you can create a healthier version of fettuccine alfredo in just 15 minutes? The proof is in this recipe, which relies on butter, milk and parmesan to make a lighter sauce. Fill it with fresh veggies including asparagus, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and mushrooms to finish it all off.
Vegetarian triple pasta
There are actually six different vegetables hidden in this healthy pasta and veggie dish! Instead of using regular pasta, we used a trio of spiralized vegetables (zucchini, summer squash, and carrots) to act as “noodles.” But don’t worry, it won’t be very satisfying. This recipe takes on a little more decadence, thanks to the light and creamy Alfredo sauce.
Spaghetti with two tomatoes
You’ll know your little tomatoes are cooked and ready to top a plate of gluten-free spaghetti (this recipe calls for corn spaghetti, but you can use any variety you like) when they “pop” and release all their flavor. bright juice. Tiny little balls of bocconcini (mozzarella) make this dish feel extra special, even though it all comes together in about half an hour.
Summer pasta salad
Fresh cherry tomatoes, snow peas, and zucchini are briefly cooked in garlic, then added to this pasta salad recipe, creating the perfect side dish for grilled meat. You can also make this healthy vegetable pasta recipe a main dish by adding white beans, grilled chicken, or shrimp directly to the bowl.
