This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Pasta doesn’t have to be heavy. Try any of these healthy pasta recipes filled with vegetables, lean meats, and light sauces!

Collage of healthy pasta recipes

Light, Fresh, Totally Satisfying

Pasta night doesn’t have to be heavy! Around here, we keep things light with veggie-packed sauces, lean proteins, and smart swaps like whole-wheat or alternative noodles.

This collection rounds up our favorite healthy pasta recipes—think primavera piled high with veggies, lemony chicken pastas, pesto-kissed gnocchi, and fresh pasta salads that make great leftovers.

Most are ready in 30 minutes or less, many can be made ahead, and all are family-approved. Mix and match a main with a bright salad and fruit, then let everyone add Parmesan, fresh herbs, and a squeeze of lemon at the table. Scroll for our tried-and-true picks that are big on flavor and easy on the heavy stuff. Let’s cook!

PRO TIP: Pin or bookmark this list so you’re ready with light and tasty pasta ideas whenever you need a quick meal.

Top 10 Most Loved Healthy Pasta Dishes

These are our absolute favorite healthy pasta dishes that are light, flavorful, and perfect for any day of the week.

1 Pasta Primavera Recipe

Pasta Primavera Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes
Pasta primavera is a tried and true dinner recipe. It's filled with peak-of-the-season veggies for a deliciously bright bite!
5 from 17 votes
Get the recipe

2 Healthy Chicken Piccata Recipe

This "Skinny" Chicken Piccata is easy enough to make on a busy weeknight but also fancy enough to make when you have company over! Plus it's a skinny version, which makes it even better!
Healthy Chicken Piccata Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes
This "Skinny" Chicken Piccata is easy enough to make on a busy weeknight but also fancy enough to make when you have company over! Plus it's a healthy version, which makes it even better!
5 from 19 votes
Get the recipe

3 Baked Chicken Parmesan Recipe

Baked Chicken Parmesan Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes
Baked chicken parmesan is one of the easiest dinner ideas you'll ever try!! It's covered with melted cheese and great served over pasta!
5 from 22 votes
Get the recipe

4 Pesto Gnocchi Recipe

Pesto Gnocchi Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes
This bright and fresh pesto gnocchi will become your go-to summer meal. It's bold, full of flavor, and so delicious!
5 from 14 votes
Get the recipe

5 Lemon Chicken Pasta Recipe

Lemon Chicken Pasta Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes
Flavorful lemon chicken pasta is covered in a delicious sauce made from lemons, whipping cream, cheese, and fresh basil.
4.96 from 21 votes
Get the recipe

6 Chicken Florentine Pasta Recipe

Chicken Florentine Pasta Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes
Delicious pesto chicken Florentine is simple, yet packed with big flavors. Pesto and homemade alfredo combine for a tasty combination!!
5 from 3 votes
Get the recipe

7 Lemon Asparagus Pasta

Lemon Asparagus Pasta
Total Time: 25 minutes
Bright, zesty, and loaded with cheese, this lemon asparagus pasta is a flavor explosion that's ready in under 30 minutes!
4.79 from 14 votes
Get the recipe

8 Bruschetta Chicken Pasta Recipe

Bruschetta Chicken Pasta Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
Easy and flavorful Bruschetta Chicken Pasta is a hot pasta dish filled with all the flavors of classic bruschetta—chicken, tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella.
5 from 6 votes
Get the recipe

9 Pesto Pasta

Pesto Pasta
Total Time: 15 minutes
This one-pan pesto pasta tosses penne in a creamy pesto sauce bursting with Parmesan cheese for a quick and satisfying weeknight meal.
5 from 13 votes
Get the recipe

10 Chicken Asparagus Pasta Bake Recipe

Chicken Asparagus Pasta Bake Recipe
Total Time: 45 minutes
Deliciously Cheesy Chicken asparagus pasta bake a favorite dish topped with panko and baked to crispy perfection!!
4.94 from 15 votes
Get the recipe

More Healthy Pasta Recipes

Looking for even more fresh and wholesome ideas? These tasty pasta recipes are satisfying, simple, and so easy to love.

11 Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad recipe

Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad is a light dish with a bold flavor, making it perfect for potlucks, parties, BBQ's, and get togethers!
5 from 1 vote
Get the recipe

12 Mozzarella Pasta Salad Recipe

Mozzarella Pasta Salad Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
Easy & Fresh Mozzarella Pasta Salad is light, delicious, and flavorful. This simply dressed salad is a favorite!!
5 from 11 votes
Get the recipe

13 Layered Pasta Salad Recipe

Layered Pasta Salad Recipe
Total Time: 13 minutes
A dish that is appealing to both your tastebuds and your eyes! This beautiful Layered Pasta Salad is filled with your favorite ingredients including pasta, chicken, peas, lettuce, celery, and more.
5 from 10 votes
Get the recipe

14 Chinese Pasta Salad Recipe

Chinese Pasta Salad Recipe
Total Time: 6 minutes
Chinese Pasta Salad – filled with lettuce, noodles, fried wontons and more tossed in a delicious homemade dressing.
5 from 11 votes
Get the recipe

15 Greek Pasta Salad Recipe

Greek Pasta Salad Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes
Greek pasta salad is packed with traditional Greek flavors and covered in a tasty dressing! It's perfectly light and refreshing.
5 from 10 votes
Get the recipe

16 Greek Orzo Pasta Salad

Greek Orzo Pasta Salad
Total Time: 23 minutes
This vibrant Greek orzo pasta salad is topped with a zesty homemade dressing. It's a hearty, flavorful, quick-to-make dish!
5 from 15 votes
Get the recipe

17 Asian Pasta Salad recipe

Asian Pasta Salad recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
Easy & Delicious Asian Pasta Salad topped with a sweet and tangy dressing is packed with veggies and flavor!
5 from 2 votes
Get the recipe

18 Tuna Salad Recipe

Tuna Salad Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
Chopped Tuna Salad Recipe is filled with fresh crisp veggies and tossed in a light and refreshing lemon vinaigrette!
5 from 24 votes
Get the recipe

19 Spinach Tortellini Salad Recipe

Spinach Tortellini Salad Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes
Cold spinach tortellini salad is the ultimate side dish for BBQ and potlucks. It's packed with all the best flavors!
4.89 from 27 votes
Get the recipe

20 Spaghetti Aglio e Olio Recipe

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is one of the easiest pasta dishes you can make! It uses only 6 ingredients and takes less than 30 minutes to make!
5 from 7 votes
Get the recipe

More Collections

Categorized as: , , , , , ,

About Kristyn

Kristyn Merkley is a published cookbook author, wife, mom of six, and major food enthusiast! For the past 15 years, she has been sharing foolproof, family-friendly recipes—each one tested in her kitchen—that anyone can master. As a seasoned recipe creator, she loves making cooking simple, stress-free, and totally doable for everyone!

More About Kristyn

Get my cookbook!

My cookbook is the ultimate resource for feeding your friends and family with 200+ simple recipes with videos, tips & more!

Order Today

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *