Say hello to your new favorite healthy pasta recipes for dinner! These recipes have just the right balance of textures, flavors, and ingredients. They are healthy, easy to make, and excited to see you for dinner!
Food is a necessity but healthy food is not always easy to find. So, here we have listed some healthy pasta recipes so that you can eat healthily and keep yourself active by eating delicious food!
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CREAMY TUSCAN CHICKEN PASTA
Enjoy this delicious Tuscan chicken pasta recipe for lunch or dinner any day of the week. Quick and easy creamy pasta recipe made Tuscan Style and ready in 30 minutes.
This Creamy chicken pasta recipe is the ultimate comfort meal. It is made with added chicken bites for some added protein, loaded with spinach for a nutrient boost, and infused with creamy Tuscan flavors. Ready in just under 30 minutes, this Tuscan chicken pasta recipe is going to be on your weekly menu because it will be a huge hit. Cheesy, garlicky, full of flavor, and a one-pot meal that’s perfect for everyone.
WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS CHICKEN PASTA DISH
- Easy and complete meal: making this Tuscan chicken pasta is so easy. Not to mention it’s all made in one pot and you don’t have to worry about making any sides.
- Delicious: It’s packed with creamy goodness and flavor. Everyone will love this pasta recipe and promise to be a huge hit.
- Vegetarian-friendly: Make this without the chicken and you got yourself a vegetarian meal.
INGREDIENTS YOU WILL NEED TO MAKE THIS CREAMY PASTA
- Pasta of choice: use whatever kind of pasta you already have. You may use gluten-free if needed or lentil pasta for a healthier option.
- Chicken: go with chicken breast for a leaner and healthier option.
- Oil: we used olive oil. You may use avocado oil or grapeseed oil.
- Garlic cloves: we recommend you use fresh garlic cloves and not garlic powder. You may also use the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes
- Italian seasoning: if you don’t have this handy, use 1/4 tsp of the following seasonings- basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme.
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Sundried tomatoes: use the ones that are packed in oil and not the packets.
- Almond milk: if you don’t have almond milk, use any milk of choice.
- Flour: use any flour you have on hand, or use cornstarch.
- Fresh baby spinach: we prefer that you use fresh spinach. If you want to use frozen, you can but just thaw and drain first.
- Parmesan cheese: grate your own. You may sub this cheese with grated Romano Cheese.
HOW TO MAKE THIS CREAMY AND DELICIOUS TUSCAN CHICKEN PASTA FROM SCRATCH
- Boil and prepare pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil and cook the pasta according to package directions to al dente.
- Prepare and cook the chicken: Chop the chicken into 1-inch pieces and place it into a bowl. Stir in the oil, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add chicken in a single layer and cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and continue to cook until cooked through for about 5-7 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl whisk the milk and flour until no visible lumps.
- Pour the milk mixture over the cooked chicken in the pan, and mix well to combine. Allow the sauce to bubble for a few minutes to thicken up. It should take no more than 3-4 minutes.
- Add spinach and cheese: Once the sauce is done, add spinach and stir until wilted. Add cooked pasta together with grated parmesan and stir to combine. Enjoy.
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RECIPE NOTES AND TIPS
- Pasta: use pasta of choice. Gluten-free, whole wheat, lentil pasta, or chickpea pasta.
- Chicken: we used chicken breast but you may use boneless thighs. Consider using shrimp instead of chicken if desired.
- Spinach: we recommend using fresh spinach. Frozen spinach can be used but thaw first and drain to remove excess water.
- You may use other veggies like kale.
- Use fresh garlic or replace it with 1 tablespoon of garlic powder.
- Cook the pasta al dente since it will cook again with everything else to prevent having soft and soggy pasta.
- Store leftover chicken pasta in a container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- PLEASE NOTE: *****To make this dish healthier we used almond milk. But you can use any other milk, heavy cream, or whipping cream if you don’t mind it.****
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do you make creamy pasta sauce from scratch?
To make a healthy-ish creamy pasta sauce we recommend skippy any sort of heavy or whipping cream and use milk instead. To make a creamy pasta sauce, you will need a combination of oil/butter, cheese (parmesan or cream cheese), garlic for flavor, salt, pepper, any type of milk, cornstarch, or flour to thicken the sauce.
How do I cook chicken before adding the pasta?
You may cook the chicken first in the same skillet until it is thoroughly cooked before adding the pasta. Pasta is usually cooked al dente ahead of time so that when your creamy chicken sauce is almost done cooking, you toss in the pasta with your remaining ingredients like cheese and let it cook together.
Should I cut chicken before cooking?
It depends on what you are making. If you are serving the chicken breast as a whole, you don’t need to cut it. But if the recipe calls for smaller chunks of chicken we recommend you cut them into smaller pieces.
If you try a recipe and you like it, leave us some feedback in the comment section below, and don’t forget to rate it! We would love it if you shared it with friends and family.
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Easy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Easy to make Creamy chicken pasta made Tuscan style with sundried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and loads of chicken.
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions to al dente.
- Chop chicken into 1-inch pieces and place it into a bowl. Stir in the oil, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper-healthy pasta recipes for dinner.
- Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add chicken in a single layer and cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and continue to cook until cooked through about 5-7 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl whisk the milk and flour until no visible lumps.
- Pour the milk mixture over the cooked chicken in the pan, and mix well to combine. Allow the sauce to bubble for a few minutes to thicken up. It should take no more than 3-4 minutes.
- Once the sauce is done, add spinach and stir until wilted-healthy pasta recipes for dinner.
- Add cooked pasta together with grated parmesan and stir to combine. Enjoy.
- Pasta: use pasta of choice. Gluten-free, whole wheat, lentil pasta, or chickpea pasta.
- Chicken: we used chicken breast but you may use boneless thighs. Consider using shrimp instead of chicken if desired.
- Spinach: we recommend using fresh spinach. Frozen spinach can be used but thaw first and drain to remove excess water.
- Use fresh garlic or replace it with 1 tablespoon of garlic powder.
- Cook the pasta al dente since it will cook again with everything else to prevent having soft and soggy pasta.
- Store leftover chicken pasta in a container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- NOTE: *****To make this dish healthier we used almond milk. But you can use any other milk, heavy cream, or whipping cream if you don’t mind it.****
Nutrition
Easy Pasta Dinners You’ll Want to Make Forever
You can count on these pasta recipes to take all the stress out of making dinner any night of the week. Each of these dinners comes together in 35 minutes or less, so even the most tired cook can have a healthy, satisfying meal at the end of the day. Recipes like our Dan Dan Noodles with Shrimp and Chicken & Spinach Skillet Pasta with Lemon & Parmesan are delicious favorites you’ll come back to again and again.
Dan Dan Noodles with Shrimp
Skip takeout and make these delicious, healthy dan noodles with a sesame-soy sauce, shrimp, and peanuts in just 30 minutes. The Sichuan preserved(healthy pasta recipes for dinner)vegetables add a bright pop of tangy, slightly fermented flavor. Look for them in an Asian market if you want the most authentic flavor or use more commonly available kimchi.
American Goulash
American goulash, also known as old-fashioned goulash, is the perfect economical family meal. The pasta cooks right in the sauce, so(healthy pasta recipes for dinner) this satisfying dish can cook in just one pot.
Chicken & Spinach Skillet Pasta with Lemon & Parmesan
This one-pan pasta that combines lean chicken breast and sautéed spinach for a one-bowl meal is garlicky, lemony, and best served with a(healthy pasta recipes for dinner)_ 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.
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(healthy pasta recipes for dinner) good as the flavor of this comforting dish: the fact that this healthy dinner takes just 20 minutes to prepare.
One-Pot Tomato Basil Pasta
This one-pot pasta with tangy tomato-basil sauce is a simple, fast, and easy weeknight dinner. All of your ingredients go into one pot, and with a bit of stirring and about 25 minutes of cook time, you’ll have a healthy dinner the whole family will enjoy.
Healthy Pasta Recipes for Weight Loss
Pasta can be healthy? Yes, it can! Here’s how to transform a box of pasta into a healthy meal.
A box of pasta is probably one of the easiest—and cheapest—pantry staples you can buy. But trying to throw together a pasta recipe that is filling and nutritious can feel daunting! Thanks to our list of healthy pasta recipes, you can easily throw together dinners (or lunches!) that you can feel good about eating all week long.
From stuffing extra vegetables for nutrients to healthy protein swaps, here’s how to make your favorite comfort food even healthier. Plus,(healthy pasta recipes for dinner) check out The Best & Worst Pasta on the Shelves—Ranked by Nutritional Benefits
Crock-Pot Beef Ragu
Sick of the usual meat sauce and meatballs on a weeknight? Take your Italian cooking up a notch with this delectable beef ragu recipe. Not only is it easy to make, but this dump-and-go Crock-Pot recipe is perfect to prep and freeze for later!
Asian Beef Noodle Soup
The slow-cooker soup here takes a cue from all three, combining rich ginger and soy-spiked broth with chunks of fork-tender beef, a tangle of springy noodles, and—for a fresh, high note to pair with the dark, brooding ones—a pile of fresh bok choy.
Macaroni and Cheese with Jalapeños and Prosciutto
This spicy mac and cheese are based on béchamel—butter, flour, and milk—which helps cut the calories in half. We add jalapeños and prosciutto for some spicy, smoky goodness; feel free to leave them out though if you’re not a spice fan.
Baked Ziti
Save your cash—and your ticker—and eat our healthier version of baked ziti. You can easily make it at home, and it won’t weigh you down. This is home-cooked comfort food at its finest.
Spaghetti with Spicy Tomato Sauce and Bacon
The beauty of the dish is that just a few strips of bacon infuse an entire pot of pasta with a rich, meaty flavor, cut perfectly by the sweet of the tomatoes and the heat of the pepper flakes. No fatty sausage links, greasy ground beef, or fist-size meatballs are necessary for this spaghetti recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
There are endless possibilities when it comes to pairing pasta with dinner entrées. Some of our favorites include classic dishes like chicken Parmesan or meatballs, as well as more creative options like shrimp scampi or pesto primavera. No matter what you choose, we recommend serving a side of garlic bread to complete the meal.
You can add vegetables like broccoli, spinach, or tomatoes to pasta to make it healthier. You can also add a protein like chicken or shrimp to make it more filling.
Yes, pasta can be a healthy dinner option. It is a good source of carbohydrates and fiber, and it is low in fat and calories. However, it is important to choose whole-wheat pasta instead of refined pasta to get the most health benefits.