23 Light Pasta Recipes

Lemon Chicken Pasta

My grandmother made chicken wings and served them over rice. To speed things up, I cook lemony chicken breasts and serve them over capellini pasta. —Aileen Rivera, Bronx, New York

Shrimp Piccata

I serve this easy shrimp piccata recipe with crusty French bread and asparagus. —Holly Bauer, West Bend, Wisconsin

Greek Spaghetti

“Out of all our recipes for pasta, this simple meatless main dish is our favorite,” writes Christa and Holley Hageman from Telford, Pennsylvania. “We can hardly wait for summer to arrive so we can use our garden-fresh tomatoes and minced basil in this recipe.” The entree’s Mediterranean flair comes from feta cheese, oregano, olive oil and lemon.

Garlic-Lemon Shrimp Linguine

The Cheesecake Factory has an extensive menu, but I always seem to order their delicious fresh and citrusy Lemon-Garlic Shrimp with pasta. I’d enjoyed it enough times that I was confident I reproduce it to share with friends and family. I think I hit it spot on! When I have fresh basil from the garden I use that instead of parsley.

Zucchini Tomato Pasta

I came up with this recipe after planting too many zucchini plants in our vegetable garden. My husband loved it the first time I served it and now we make it quite often. —Joy Turner, Amherst, Ohio

Spinach Shrimp Fettuccine

I experimented for a couple of years before perfecting this colorful dish, and everyone raves about it. It is easy and light, and it fits into my busy schedule. —Kristin Walker, Suffolk, Virginia

Garden Vegetable Tomato Sauce

I make this vegetable tomato sauce regularly and store containers of it in my freezer. It’s a tasty substitute for regular pasta sauce, and the extra vegetables make it healthier. I also use it when I make pizza. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts

Shrimp Marinara

Flavorful marinara sauce simmers for just a few hours. Right before mealtime, toss in the shrimp to cook quickly. Serve over hot spaghetti for a delicious weeknight dish that feels dressed up. —Sue Mackey, Jackson, Wisconsin

Tuna Noodle Casserole

When you need supper fast, this tuna casserole with peas, peppers and onions makes a super one-dish meal. Cooked chicken breast works well in place of the tuna. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah

Thai Chicken Pasta

I try to buy fresh chicken when it’s on sale. I cook a big batch in the slow cooker, then cut it up and package it in small amounts suitable for recipes like this. When I want it, I just need to pull it out of the freezer and let it thaw. —Jeni Pittard, Canon, Georgia

Contest-Winning Greek Pasta Bake

When I take this dish to potlucks, there’s never so much as a morsel left! It’s a simple, healthy, hearty supper made with ingredients that are easy to find. Add a salad and a crusty loaf of bread for a quick meal solution. —Anne Taglienti, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

Cauliflower Alfredo

My family loves this quick and healthy cauliflower Alfredo sauce on any kind of pasta. —Shelly Bevington, Hermiston, Oregon

Pesto Shrimp Pasta

Fresh basil and dash of red pepper puts zip in this lively shrimp pesto pasta. — Gloria Jones Grenga, Newnan, Georgia

Pressure-Cooker Mushroom Pork Ragout

Savory, quickly made pork is luscious served in a delightful tomato gravy over noodles. It’s a nice change from regular pork roast. I serve it with broccoli or green beans on the side. —Connie McDowell, Greenwood, Delaware.

Penne with Veggies and Black Beans

Chock-full of zucchini, tomatoes, sweet pepper and carrots, this hearty pasta dish puts your garden harvest to good use. For variety, I sometimes add one-half cup of salsa or one-half cup of thickened teriyaki sauce. —Vickie Spoerle, Indianapolis, Indiana

Shrimp ‘n’ Noodle Bowls

Here’s a quick meal that feels as if it came from a restaurant. Cooked shrimp, bagged slaw and bottled dressing reduce the time needed to get it on the table. —Mary Bergfeld, Eugene, Oregon

Eggplant Zucchini Bolognese

I roast the veggies while the pasta cooks, making this a quick dish. This meal-in-one dish blends rustic comfort with fresh flavors. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

Turkey Sausage with Pasta

If you’re looking for recipes with turkey sausage, stop here. This has the perfect blend of meaty, veggie and cheesy goodness. You’ll be craving what’s good for you when this pasta dish is on the menu. —Mary Tallman, Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin

Garlic Shrimp Spaghetti

Served with a salad and garlic bread toast, this garlic shrimp spaghetti makes a tasty dinner. —June Foote, Spring Hill, Florida

Easy Beef Stroganoff

I wanted to lighten my mother-in-law’s wonderful recipe and came up with this tasty beef Stroganoff. In our home, we call it special noodles. —Jennifer Riordan, St. Louis, Missouri

Slow-Cooker Clam Sauce

Serve this delectable clam sauce as a hot dip for holiday get-togethers. The sauce is bright and fresh with pasta, too. —Frances Pietsch, Flower Mound, Texas

Pork Pancit

A dear Filipino friend gave me a pork pancit recipe so tempting, we never have leftovers. Try it with meats like chicken, sausage or Spam. —Priscilla Gilbert, Indian Harbour Beach, Florida

Chinese Chicken Spaghetti

It’s hard to believe that something that comes together so easily could be this tasty and lower in fat, but this Chinese spaghetti with chicken does it all. If you like your stir-fries extra spicy, increase the red pepper flakes a bit. —Jenna Noel, Glendale, Arizona

Light Pasta Recipes FAQ

What’s the best protein to add to a light pasta dish?

Stick to lean proteins, which are typically low in saturated fat—unlike red meat, skin-on poultry and full-fat dairy. The best lean protein options include salmon, shrimp, anchovies, sardines, halibut, crab, skinless turkey or chicken, pork tenderloin, tofu, tempeh, nuts, seeds, low-fat cottage cheese and even nut butter.

How can I incorporate more fresh vegetables?

Boost the veggie content of your pasta by mixing in broccoli, eggplant, tomato, zucchini, squash, mushrooms, artichokes, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, peppers, spinach, leeks, collard greens, carrots, onion, garlic, Swiss chard…the list goes on.

Infuse even more vegetables into your dish by including them in your pasta sauce, whether that be a tomato-based sauce (blend in carrot, mushroom, onion or spinach) or an herb-y pesto.

What should I serve with a light pasta recipe?

The perfect side dish for pasta is a hearty salad. It will take the health benefits of your dinner to the next level, thanks to fiber-rich salad ingredients like lettuce, tomato, cucumber, radish, carrot, avocado and peppers. For a more filling salad, add heart-healthy fats like nuts, seeds, olives and avocado, complex carbs like whole grain barley, quinoa, farro or brown rice and/or extra protein from beans, lentils, peas, nuts, seeds, skinless poultry or seafood.