6 Healthy Pasta Recipes to Meet All Your Dietary Needs

Pasta is delicious!

Healthy pasta recipes and healthy pasta salad recipes make a quick and easy meal, and can be part of any balanced diet. If you have different chronic diseases  (such as diabetes, IBS or cancer) you have some different dietary restrictions to consider. For diabetes, you may need to control the amount of carbs that are present in your meal, while those with IBS need to steer clear of fodmap containing foods. If you have cancer you may be looking to increase the antioxidants in yours meals.

Whatever your dietary needs, we have healthy pasta recipes for you!

Check out these healthy pasta recipes and healthy pasta salad recipes below!

Pad Thai

Photo credit Kaitlin Eckstein

Cooking recipe remakes like this at home is great because you can really beef up the veggies! This will help you feel full, while still allowing you to eat pasta mindfully! and don’t forget the protein! check out the recipe here.

Whole Grain Spaghetti with Zucchini and Ragu Sauce

Photo credit Klara Knezevic

Many of my diabetic clients think that they can no longer enjoy pasta after finding out they need to control their carbs. But that is not the case! By mixing zucchini noodles with the spaghetti, you control the carbs of the meals, without feeling like you are hungry! The dish becomes balance when topped with the delicious meat sauce, that is also filled with veggies. Check out the recipe here.

Low Fodmap Pesto Pasta Salad 

FODMAPs is an acronym for Fermentable Oligo-, Di-, and Monosaccharides And Polyols.  FODMAPs include a family of carbohydrates and sugar alcohols that can be easily fermented in the gut and trigger symptoms of digestive distress including diarrhea and/or constipation with gas, pain, and bloating. One of the biggest changes once you start following the low FODMAP plan is that we eliminate wheat, onion and garlic as part of the plan.  All three stables in a typical pasta dish with tomato sauce. In this recipe Dana used the Ancient Grains Penne Pasta and FODY Foods pasta sauce, both of which are low FODMAP.  It was delicious! check out the recipe here.

Gemelli Pasta with Shrimp and a Lemon Butter Sauce

Photo credit Kaitlin Eckstein

Load your pasta up with vegetables and your favorite meat, fish, or meat substitute! you will end up having a bigger portion of protein and vegetables than pasta per serving. This is great for those with diabetes who need to manage their carbohydrate in take. Check out the recipe here.

Tuna and Pasta Salad

Photo credit Klara Knezevic

This simple yet delicious recipe is a perfect lunch or dinner option. The salad base fills up your plate with more greens and less carbs! fueling you up for your entire day.

Low Fodmap Pasta Salad 

Low Fodmap simple means that this recipe is low in certain carbohydrates that are difficult for humans to digest. Individuals who are diagnosed with IBS are recommended to work closely with their RD to build a Low Fodmap diet that works best for them and their symptoms. Low Fodmap recipes can also be enjoyed by other people without IBS as well! Find this easy and light recipe here!

Gluten-Free Pasta Options

If you have a gluten intolerance or Celiac Disease, you can still enjoy these recipes too! Try one of our favorite gluten-free pastas to use with any of these recipes!

If you would like help incorporating pasta into your diet, click here to make an appointment with one of our dietitians, or call 301-474-2499.