15 Whole-Grain Pasta Recipes for a Comfort Food Healthy Makeover (2024)

Stop everything: There’s a way to make your favorite noodle dishes even better. Yes, really. And all it takes is a simple swap of the base ingredient. If you use whole grain pasta, you get the same can’t-resist flavors but with more fiber, B vitamins, and protein. These 15 whole grain pasta recipes are the type of healthy comfort food that you’ll find yourself craving when hunger strikes.

5-Ingredient SpeltSpaghetti

15 Whole-Grain Pasta Recipes for a Comfort Food Healthy Makeover (1) Ready in 20 minutes, this fresh meal of spelt spaghetti with vegetables fits the bill. (via Stefanie Gold Marie)

Whole Grain Penne With Spinach, White Beans, and Garlic

15 Whole-Grain Pasta Recipes for a Comfort Food Healthy Makeover (2) When you have a dish made with two starches (pasta and beans), sometimes you need an extra boost of color and flavor. Spinach adds some verdant freshness to this meal, while a garlic, chili, and anchovy oil cuts through any lingering heaviness. (via Avocado a Day Nutrition)

Vegan Whole Wheat Smoked Pasta Salad

15 Whole-Grain Pasta Recipes for a Comfort Food Healthy Makeover (3) Hearty whole wheat penne and a creamy, smokey, hummus-based sauce will make this a new favorite meal. (via Simply Sissom)

Bacon, Spinach, and Caramelized Onion Pasta

15 Whole-Grain Pasta Recipes for a Comfort Food Healthy Makeover (4) Creamy like carbonara but egg-free, this smokey bacon and spinach pasta is bound to be a winner. Brown sugar is the secret ingredient that gives the sauce just the right balance of flavor. (via Sizzling Eats)

Whole Wheat Spaghetti With Zoodles and Prosciutto

15 Whole-Grain Pasta Recipes for a Comfort Food Healthy Makeover (5) Make your favorite pasta dish a little healthier by using a mixture of half whole wheat spaghetti and half zucchini noodles. Toss with crispy prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil for a fresh and healthy meal. (via Avocado a Day Nutrition)

Creamy Vegan Lemon Brussels Sprout Pasta

15 Whole-Grain Pasta Recipes for a Comfort Food Healthy Makeover (6) Lemon is always key to making creamy dishes taste light. It also helps brighten the flavor of the Brussels sprouts in this recipe. (via The Pretend Baker)

Balsamic Orecchiette With Spinach, Craisins, and Feta

15 Whole-Grain Pasta Recipes for a Comfort Food Healthy Makeover (7) Pasta doesn’t have to be a boring weeknight meal. Made with little scoops of orecchiette, this dish plays with a variety of sweet, salty, and tangy flavors. (via Pumpkin & Peanut Butter)

Spaghetti With Kale, Mushrooms, and Lentils

15 Whole-Grain Pasta Recipes for a Comfort Food Healthy Makeover (8) Mushrooms and lentils are a savory duo that add deep flavor to this spaghetti. Add in some kale so you get your daily fix of greens, and don’t forget a sprinkle of Parm on top. (via The Last Food Blog)

Spicy Italian Sausage Whole Grain Penne Soup

15 Whole-Grain Pasta Recipes for a Comfort Food Healthy Makeover (9) Soup is always more exciting with some sort of noodle action in the mix. Penne, sausage, veggies, and herbs give this cozy pot of soup a flavorful Italian flair. (via From a Chef’s Kitchen)

Salmon Noodle Bowls

15 Whole-Grain Pasta Recipes for a Comfort Food Healthy Makeover (10) Whole wheat spaghetti forms the base for these healthy bowls filled with salmon, asparagus, and refreshingly cool cucumber. (via The Blond Cook)

Slow Cooker Pasta

15 Whole-Grain Pasta Recipes for a Comfort Food Healthy Makeover (11) Getting a nutritious meal on the table isn’t difficult when you have recipes like this on hand. Whole wheat pasta, cheese, sauce, and veggies cook low and slow to create this satisfying dinner. (via Well Plated)

Mediterranean Chicken and Whole Wheat Spaghetti

15 Whole-Grain Pasta Recipes for a Comfort Food Healthy Makeover (12) Briny olives load this meal of whole grain spaghetti, chicken, and tomatoes with flavor. Best of all, it’s made in one skillet… so you have less dishes to worry about at the end of the night. (via ifoodreal)

Whole Grain Linguine With Turkey Meatballs

15 Whole-Grain Pasta Recipes for a Comfort Food Healthy Makeover (13) Savory, juicy turkey meatballs help keep your favorite comfort food on the healthier side. Add a fresh tomato-basil sauce and whole grain linguine for a complete meal. (via The Original Dish)

Avocado Orecchiette

15 Whole-Grain Pasta Recipes for a Comfort Food Healthy Makeover (14) This creamy avocado pasta, tossed with asparagus and fresh herbs, tastes like spring. A squeeze of lemon gives it a sunny flavor that will put a smile on your face after just one bite. (via Well Plated)

Mushroom Penne With Walnut Pesto

15 Whole-Grain Pasta Recipes for a Comfort Food Healthy Makeover (15) Mushrooms sautéed in butter will fill your house with an irresistible smell when you cook this pasta dish. Combined with an earthy walnut pesto, it’s a meal that will soothe your soul. (via Pinch of Yum)

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Justina Huddleston

Justina Huddleston is a food writer living in Los Angeles. When she's not busy writing, she spends her time in the kitchen creating both virtuous and decidedly junky vegan food. Buffalo chickpea pizza, anyone? She's also been known to eat a plain block of tofu or beans straight out of the can for lunch, but somehow those culinary adventures don't make it to her Instagram. You can follow Justina on Twitter or see what's cooking in her kitchen on her blog, A Life of Little Pleasures.

15 Whole-Grain Pasta Recipes for a Comfort Food Healthy Makeover (2024)

FAQs

What is a healthy portion of whole grain pasta? ›

A Serving of 100% Whole Grain Foods

½ cup cooked brown rice or other cooked grain. ½ cup cooked 100% whole-grain pasta. ½ cup cooked hot cereal, such as oatmeal. 1 ounce uncooked whole grain pasta, brown rice or other grain.

Is whole grain pasta good for stomach issues? ›

“Whole-wheat pasta is rich in dietary fiber, aids in digestion, and contains essential nutrients such as B vitamins [like folate, thiamine, and B6], magnesium, and iron, crucial for energy production and overall health,” says Hernandez.

Is whole wheat pasta healthy for weight loss? ›

Depending on your health goals, whole-wheat pasta can help you lose weight. Whole-wheat pasta (and other whole grains) take longer to digest than pasta made from refined flour. Because of this, it raises blood sugar more slowly, which prevents excess fat storage, especially around your midsection.

What is the healthiest pasta to eat? ›

Whole-Wheat Pasta

Also called whole-grain pasta, this type of pasta keeps the bran, endosperm, and germ of the grain together. It's filled with fiber, vitamins, and minerals. This helps you feel full longer and keeps your blood sugar from spiking.

Which pasta is 100% whole grain? ›

BARILLA WHOLE GRAIN PASTA, MADE WITH 100% WHOLE WHEAT!

Can you eat whole grain pasta everyday? ›

When eaten in moderation, pasta can be part of a healthy diet. Whole-grain pasta may be a better choice for many, as it is lower in calories and carbs but higher in fiber and nutrients. However, in addition to the type of pasta you pick, what you top it with is just as important.

What is the unhealthiest grain? ›

Grains to avoid are wheat (such as wheat berries, spelt, kamut, farro and bulgur), rye, barley and triticale.

What are the 3 super foods for your gut? ›

Three superfoods for the gut are fermented foods like kimchi and sauerkraut, prebiotic-rich foods like garlic and onions, and probiotic-rich foods like yogurt and kefir. These foods contain beneficial bacteria that support the growth of healthy gut flora and promote digestion and nutrient absorption.

Why does my stomach hurt after eating whole wheat pasta? ›

Wheat intolerance, which is a different condition than wheat allergy, is associated with several medical conditions, including celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. These chronic inflammatory disorders cause intestinal pain and distress whenever a variety of wheat or other gluten-containing grains is consumed.

Is whole wheat pasta inflammatory? ›

Wholegrain Pasta: A Healthier Alternative

Numerous studies confirm that these nutritional attributes make wholegrain pasta a healthier alternative to traditional refined pasta and contribute to its anti-inflammatory properties.

What is the healthiest pasta for weight loss? ›

In fact, whole wheat or whole grain pasta is the best option for weight loss as whole wheat pasta takes longer to digest than pasta made from refined flour. Slower digestion means blood sugar will rise slowly after consumption, preventing your body from storing excess fat.

Is Barilla whole grain pasta healthy? ›

Made with one simple ingredient, whole grain durum wheat flour, Barilla® Whole Grain Spaghetti is an excellent source of fiber. This pasta is ideal for anyone seeking to increase their intake of fiber and whole grains without sacrificing taste. Barilla Whole Grain pasta is made with non-GMO ingredients.

What is the most unhealthy type of pasta? ›

While there are types of pasta that can be part of a healthy diet (especially when you use these recipes!), there's one kind in particular that experts say you should steer clear of if you're trying to slim down and avoid weight gain in your stomach: refined white pasta.

Is chickpea pasta better than whole grain? ›

Chickpeas are an incredibly nutritious legume, offering protein, carbs, fiber, antioxidants, and numerous vitamins and minerals ( 5 ). As such, chickpea pasta provides more protein, fiber, and iron than white or whole wheat pasta (6).

What is the best portion size for pasta? ›

When you cook pasta, 2 ounces of dry pasta per person is a good rule of thumb to follow. What does 2 ounces of dry pasta look like? It depends on the shape.

What is a good portion of pasta? ›

Carbohydrates – what is a portion?
Type of foodPortion Size
Pasta (boiled)75g uncooked / 150g cooked
Rice (boiled)50g uncooked / 150g cooked
Potatoes (boiled with skin)*175g
Baked potato (with skin)*180g
4 more rows

What is the appropriate portion size for pasta? ›

What is a recommended serving size, and is this for cooked or uncooked pasta? The recommended serving size is 2 ounces of uncooked pasta, which equals approximately 1 cup of cooked pasta.

How much is a serving of whole wheat pasta? ›

Whole Wheat Pasta

This type is made of unrefined wheat flour and is full of iron, magnesium, and zinc. A 2-ounce serving of whole wheat pasta contains 180 calories, 39g of carbs, 8g of protein, and 7g of fiber.

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