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Eating healthy doesn't necessarily mean that you have to give up all your favorite foods. Phew! After all, what would life be without a bowl of pasta from time to time! The key to eating a healthy dinner though is being more mindful about what you eat—pay attention to portion sizes, add in protein, and don't forget the veggies! These are all steps that Ree Drummond took when she started her weight loss journey a few years ago. So, whether or not you've made it your New Year's resolution to eat healthier, anyone can benefit from checking out these healthy pasta recipes.
For those days when you crave a big bowl of pasta, look no further than the hearty goulash loaded with lean ground protein or the lasagna recipe that swaps the meat for veggies. And speaking of vegetables, this list includes tons of ways to add greens into your family meals. Just look at the fresh ingredients in the Greek pasta salad or the creative way of making pesto from your bounty of zucchini. There are even some fun ideas that cut the carbs entirely, like beef curry with sweet potato noodles. To make your easy dinner complete, pair these healthy pastas with a light spinach salad and a healthy dessert as the finishing touch.
Eggplant Lasagna
You won't actually find any lasagna noodles in this healthy variation on the comforting dish. Instead, layers of eggplant slices are used between the hearty meat sauce and cheese.
Get the Eggplant Lasagna recipe.
Asparagus Pasta
Tender asparagus are a beautiful addition to this light pasta recipe, but you can really swap in any green veggie based on your family's preferences. Try chopped broccoli florets, chopped kale, or shredded Brussels sprouts to name a few.
Get the Asparagus Pasta recipe.
Sheet Pan Gnocchi
The ratio of vegetables to gnocchi is what makes this dish both colorful and healthy. The best part? It's all made on one sheet pan for the easiest cleanup job ever.
Get the Sheet Pan Gnocchi recipe.
Chicken Pasta Salad
This satisfying weekday lunch is loaded with protein from both the shredded chicken and yogurt-based dressing. There's also lots of flavorful and textural bites thanks to sweet grapes, crunchy celery, and toasted almonds.
Get the Chicken Pasta Salad recipe.
Shrimp Pesto Pasta
You can brighten up just about any pasta dish with a homemade pesto. It adds a burst of flavor to this shrimp and asparagus noodle dish.
Get the Shrimp Pesto Pasta recipe.
Spinach Artichoke Pasta
This twist on everyone's favorite party dip is loaded with nutrient-packed spinach. So, even if it does have a creamy, cheesy sauce, you can feel good about eating it.
Get Ree's Spinach Artichoke Pasta recipe.
Southwestern Pasta Salad
This pasta salad is loaded with vegetables, like tender-crisp corn, juicy tomatoes, and heart-healthy avocado. You can even swap in a protein-packed chickpea pasta if you prefer.
Get the Southwestern Pasta Salad recipe.
Baked Pasta with Sausage, Kale, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Kale is a nutritional powerhouse and getting your family to eat is easier than ever. Just add it to a cheesy baked pasta with hearty sausage and flavorful sun-dried tomatoes!
Get Ree's Baked Pasta with Sausage, Kale, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes recipe.
Spinach Lasagna
Spinach is the star ingredient in this layered pasta recipe. It's a good thing the green veggie is loaded with minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants.
Get the Spinach Lasagna recipe.
Chicken Primavera
Primavera means "spring" in Italian and it’s all about the spring veggies. The fresh, light flavors of asparagus, peas, and cherry tomatoes make it perfect for any weeknight dinner. Plus, we've added chicken so it's filling, too!
Get the Chicken Primavera recipe.
Tuna Pasta Salad
Leafy greens, veggies, and heart-healthy tuna make this pasta salad a welcome addition. It’s packed with protein and omega 3 fatty acids, plus you can easily swap out half the mayo with Greek yogurt instead.
Get the Tuna Pasta Salad recipe.
Pasta Fagioli
If you're looking for a healthy comfort food, this broth-y pasta will do the trick! It's warm, hearty (thanks to the white beans), and packed with nutritious kale.
Get the Pasta Fagioli recipe.
Greek Pasta Salad
Instead of your typical creamy pasta salad, this lightened-up version swaps the mayo in favor of tons of fresh veggies, herbs, and a zesty vinaigrette.
Get the Greek Pasta Salad recipe.
16-Minute Shrimp Scampi
Any pasta that's tossed in lots of garlic and olive oil is good enough for us. This one also has fresh lemon juice, shrimp, and a few dashes of hot sauce. Yum!
Get Ree's 16-Minute Shrimp Scampi recipe.
Spicy Shrimp Stir Fry with Zucchini Noodles
Have you ever heard of zoodles? They're the perfect carb-free alternative to noodles and they're so easy to make! You can even find them pre-made in many stores these days.
Get Ree's Spicy Shrimp Stir Fry with Zucchini Noodles recipe.
Goulash
Swap the beef for lean ground turkey and you have a comforting pasta dish that's both healthy and filling. It doesn't get much better than that!
Get the Goulash recipe.
Grilled Chicken with Zucchini Noodles
This healthy dinner recipe is totally guilt-free thanks to the zucchini noodles. It's perfect for summer nights or whenever you have extra zucchini laying around.
Get Ree's Grilled Chicken with Zucchini Noodles recipe.
Rigatoni with Summer Vegetables
Load up your pasta dinner with as many vegetables as you can find! This one has yellow squash, corn, and sugar snap peas.
Get Ree's Rigatoni with Summer Vegetables recipe.
Pasta with Zucchini Pesto
The homemade pesto in this pasta recipe has some powerhouse ingredients that make it extra good for you, including fresh zucchini and hearty almonds. You'll want to put it on everything!
Get Ree's Pasta with Zucchini Pesto recipe.
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
This twist on the classic mac and cheese uses mashed butternut squash for an added boost of nutrition. But it also helps lend more creaminess to the comforting dish.
Get Ree's Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese recipe.
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