You may hear "pasta" and automatically think of a heavy, indulgent meal. But, when you remove the cream-laden sauces and rich meats, pasta can be a perfect light lunch or dinner —especially if it incorporates lots of healthy produce. Looking for healthy dishes that include pasta with vegetables? You've come to the right place. The best part is that all these recipes come together quickly, so you can get a nutritious dinner on the table faster, even on your most jam-packed days.
Chickpea Alfredo with Spring Veggies
Whether you're hosting vegan friends for dinner or exploring a vegan diet yourself, this chickpea Alfredo sauce will surely be a winner. You start by soaking cashews, which act as the "cream" when blended with chickpea flour and water. Trust us: Once you pour the sauce over fettuccine, fresh asparagus, spinach, and peas, you'll never be able to tell that this pasta with vegetables recipe is dairy-free.
Pesto Pasta with Charred Radicchio
You'll want to add this restaurant-quality dish to your regular rotation of dishes for when you're craving pasta with vegetables. Rigatoni or your favorite other tube-shaped pasta makes the perfect vessel for herb pesto (make your own or buy it—we won't tell). Paired with spicy radicchio, it's a meal you'll feel good about serving to guests.
Grilled Veggie Pasta Salad
Give plain pasta a smoky kick by stirring in a variety of veggies fresh off the grill. Red peppers, zucchini, asparagus, and red onion make this unique pasta salad healthy and tasty. Since the veggies are the real star of the show here, it makes sense to let them shine on their own, so the only sauce this healthy pasta with vegetables needs is a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Macaroni Alfredo with Pumpkin and Kale
When pumpkin goes savory instead of sweet, the result is utterly delicious and makes for great comfort food on chilly nights. Pumpkin adds creaminess to this easy pasta dish, along with a healthy boost of vitamin A, vitamin C, and antioxidants. Stir in plenty of fresh kale at the end, making your macaroni taste bright and fresh.
Italian-Style Turkey and Penne Toss
Plenty of spices, fresh spinach, and lean ground turkey lend this recipe a hearty kick of flavor. You'll use the same pot to cook your meat sauce and multigrain penne pasta with vegetables, making cleanup a breeze. Be sure to add the spinach at the very end so it doesn't get too mushy.
Roasted Tomato and Artichoke Pasta
Think roasting veggies is too time-consuming for a busy night? Think again. To make a juicy, delicious sauce for this pasta, you only need to roast cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and artichoke hearts for less than 12 minutes. Then, have your fork ready—after roasting, just pour the veggie mixture over cooked pasta and dig in.
Buffalo "Chicken" Pasta
This recipe uses mock "chicken" strips or fillets (instead of real meat) to bring the protein to 11 grams per serving in this vegetarian pasta with vegetables dish. Jarred light Alfredo sauce—bolstered by chopped bell pepper and onion—creates a flavorful sauce, while accouterments like blue cheese, hot sauce, and celery give all the buffalo wing flavor you could want.
Summer Pasta Salad
Fresh cherry tomatoes, snap peas, and zucchini are briefly cooked in garlic and then tossed into this pasta salad recipe, creating the perfect side dish for grilled meat. You could also make this healthy pasta with vegetables a main dish by adding white beans, grilled chicken, or shrimp into the bowl.
Prep Veggies for Delicious Sides
Vegetables are so versatile, and learning to prep them in different ways will enhance your meals. Sautéing veggies is an excellent opportunity to add flavor to favorites like green beans and bell peppers, including garlic, basil, and other herbs. If you're watching your calories, use less oil than you might think you need—it won't make a lot of difference in the final taste. Steamed veggies are the quickest and simplest way to prep them, and parboiling is another fast method of cooking broccoli or asparagus to keep them crisp and retain their bright green color. Roast vegetables for crunchy coatings like breadcrumbs, or use your air fryer for a low-fat fried side dish.