Skip to content

Top Navigation

EatingWell EatingWell
  • Healthy Recipes
  • Special Diets
  • Diabetes
  • Healthy Meal Plans
  • Healthy Eating
  • Healthy Lifestyle
  • Healthy Cooking
  • News
Log In Account Details

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Favorites
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Favorites
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Pin FB

Explore EatingWell

EatingWell EatingWell
  • Explore

    Explore

    • What Happens to Your Body When You Take Protein Powder Every Day

      What Happens to Your Body When You Take Protein Powder Every Day

      If you are one of the many people who take protein powder every day, here are some effects you can expect to see. Read More
    • 19 One-Pot Vegetarian Mediterranean Diet Dinners

      19 One-Pot Vegetarian Mediterranean Diet Dinners

      These recipes are simple, delicious and healthy dinners that you'll want to make on repeat. Not only do these one-pot meals make cooking and clean-up easier, each of these recipes are vegetarian and follow the Mediterranean diet so you can have a flavorful meal that aligns with your health goals. The Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest eating patterns thanks to its inclusion of ample fresh vegetables, whole grains and, in this case, plant-based proteins. Recipes like our Lemony Linguine With Spring Vegetables and Vegan Coconut Chickpea Curry are nutritious, tasty and perfect for any night of the week.  Read More
    • ThePrep: Restaurant Copycat Dinners That Are High in Protein

      ThePrep: Restaurant Copycat Dinners That Are High in Protein

      Flavors from your favorite restaurants with the benefits of home cooking! Read More
  • Healthy Recipes

    Healthy Recipes

    See All Healthy Recipes
    • Healthy Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Healthy Lunch Recipes
    • Healthy Dinner Recipes
    • Healthy Snack Recipes
    • Healthy Dessert Recipes
    • Healthy Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Salad Recipes
    • Healthy Smoothie Recipes
    • Healthy Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Healthy Slow-Cooker & Crockpot Recipes
    • Healthy Kids Recipes
    • Healthy Holiday Recipes
    • Healthy Vegan Recipes
    • Healthy Vegetarian Recipes
    • Healthy Mediterranean Diet Recipes
    • Healthy Diabetes-Friendly Recipes
    • Healthy Low-Calorie Recipes
    • Healthy Weight Loss & Diet Recipes
    • More Lifestyle Diet Recipes
    • More Health Condition Recipes
    • More Dietary Restriction Recipes
    • More Nutrient Focused Recipes
  • Special Diets

    Special Diets

    See All Special Diets
    • Clean Eating Diet Center
    • Mediterranean Diet Center
    • Low-Carb Diet Center
    • Weight Loss Center
    • Dairy-Free Diet Center
    • Gluten-Free Diet Center
    • High-Fiber Diet Center
    • Vegan Diet Center
    • Vegetarian Diet Center
    • Heart-Healthy Diet Center
    • Cholesterol Diet Center
    • Diabetes Diet Center
    • High Blood Pressure Diet Center
    • Low Sodium Diet Center
    • Healthy Aging Diet Center
    • Pregnancy Diet Center
  • Diabetes

    Diabetes

    See All Diabetes
    • Meal Plans for Diabetes
    • Diabetes-Friendly Recipes
    • Diabetes Diet Center
  • Healthy Meal Plans

    Healthy Meal Plans

    See All Healthy Meal Plans
    • Meal Planning 101
    • Dinner Plans
    • Clean Eating Meal Plans
    • Mediterranean Diet Meal Plans
    • Low-Carb Meal Plans
    • Weight-Loss Meal Plans
    • Dairy-Free Meal Plans
    • Gluten-Free Meal Plans
    • High-Fiber Meal Plans
    • Vegan Meal Plans
    • Vegetarian Meal Plans
    • Heart-Healthy Meal Plans
    • Low Cholesterol Meal Plans
    • Meal Plans for Diabetes
    • Blood Pressure Meal Plans
    • Low Sodium Meal Plans
    • Anti-Aging Meal Plans
    • Pregnancy Meal Plans
    • Healthy Kids Meal Plans
    • ThePrep
  • Healthy Eating

    Healthy Eating

    See All Healthy Eating
    • Healthy Eating 101
    • Eat More Vegetables
    • 30-Day Challenges
    • Good Food Fast
    • Healthy Eating for Kids
    • Best Healthy Foods
    • Green and Sustainable Eating
    • The Beet
    • Transformed
  • Healthy Lifestyle

    Healthy Lifestyle

    See All Healthy Lifestyle
    • Wine, Beer & Spirits Guide
    • Entertaining
    • EatingWell in Real Life
    • Plant Your Plate
    • Healthy Pets
    • American Food Heroes
    • Future of Food
    • Food with Purpose
    • Obsessed
  • Healthy Cooking

    Healthy Cooking

    See All Healthy Cooking
    • Healthy Cooking How-To's
    • Ask the Test Kitchen
    • Budget Cooking Guide
    • Thrifty
    • Heritage Cooking
  • News

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Favorites
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Favorites
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Healthy Recipes
  3. Healthy Lifestyle Diets
  4. Healthy Vegetarian Recipes
  5. Healthy Vegetarian Dinner Recipes
  6. Healthy Vegetarian Pasta Recipes
  7. 20 Creamy Meatless Pasta Recipes Ready in 30 Minutes or Less

20 Creamy Meatless Pasta Recipes Ready in 30 Minutes or Less

Alex Loh
Alex Loh Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD December 01, 2020
Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Creamy Broccoli Pasta
Credit: Brie Passano

Make one of these creamy pasta recipes for a vegetarian-friendly dinner tonight. These rich, yet healthy, dinners take just 30 minutes or less to make. Plus, they're meatless, which is perfect if you're looking to eat more veggies. Recipes like Creamy Broccoli Pasta and Creamy Fettuccine with Brussels Sprouts & Mushrooms are flavorful, delicious and a great choice for tonight's menu.

Start Slideshow

1 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Creamy Broccoli Pasta

Creamy Broccoli Pasta
Credit: Brie Passano
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

If you're looking for a simple weeknight pasta dish, look no further. This vegetarian dinner is done in only 20 minutes and packs plenty of broccoli along with creamy goodness thanks to mascarpone cheese and low-fat Greek yogurt.

1 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Creamy Fettuccine with Brussels Sprouts & Mushrooms

containers
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Sliced Brussels sprouts and mushrooms cook quickly and cling to the pasta in our fall version of pasta primavera. Look for presliced mushrooms to cut prep time. Serve with a tossed salad.

2 of 20

3 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Pressure-Cooker Mac & Cheese

Pressure-Cooker Mac & Cheese
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Make a healthier version of classic macaroni and cheese with this recipe that adds broccoli for a nutritional boost and an easy way to eat more vegetables. Using an electric pressure cooker, such as the InstantPot, gets dinner on the table in just 30 minutes.

3 of 20

Advertisement

4 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Spinach & Artichoke Dip Pasta

89723.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

If you've ever wanted to make a meal out of warm spinach and artichoke dip, this creamy pasta is for you. And here's what's almost as good as the flavor of this comforting dish: the fact that this healthy dinner takes just 20 minutes to prepare.

4 of 20

5 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Quick Fettuccine Alfredo

<p>In this healthy fettuccine Alfredo recipe, the sauce for this classic pasta dish gets a makeover, using yogurt. Although we like to toss this creamy pasta sauce with fettuccine, any whole-wheat pasta can be used.</p>
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In this healthy fettuccine Alfredo recipe, the sauce for this classic pasta dish gets a makeover, using yogurt. Although we like to toss this creamy pasta sauce with fettuccine, any whole-wheat pasta can be used.

5 of 20

6 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Butternut Squash Chickpea Mac & Cheese

Butternut Squash Chickpea Mac & Cheese
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This gluten-free butternut squash mac and cheese packs plenty of cheesy goodness in every bite. Chickpea pasta gets coated in a sauce made with pureed butternut squash that gives this comforting meal a nutrient boost and adds a sweet note to complement the savory flavors.

6 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Quick Stovetop Mac & Cheese with Red Beets

<p>Red beets give this healthy mac and cheese recipe a pink hue. If that's a little too much for you, try using yellow beets instead.</p>
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Red beets give this healthy mac and cheese recipe a pink hue. If that's a little too much for you, try using yellow beets instead.

7 of 20

8 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Creamy Spinach Pasta

7671174.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This might be one of the creamiest light pasta dishes you've ever had! The mascarpone cheese adds a richness to the spinach pasta that's unexpected--especially in a healthy pasta recipe.

8 of 20

9 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Gnocchi with Mushrooms & Pumpkin Cream Sauce

<p>Pumpkin isn't just for pie! In this healthy gnocchi recipe, canned pumpkin serves as the base for a creamy sauce. For the best flavor, top with real Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Save the leftover pumpkin puree for a smoothie or pancakes.</p>
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Pumpkin isn't just for pie! In this healthy gnocchi recipe, canned pumpkin serves as the base for a creamy sauce. For the best flavor, top with real Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Save the leftover pumpkin puree for a smoothie or pancakes.

9 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Quick Stovetop Mac & Cheese with Broccoli Rabe

<p>A swirl of prepared pesto gives this healthy mac and cheese recipe instant delicious flavor. If broccoli rabe is too bitter, try using broccolini or regular broccoli instead.</p>
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A swirl of prepared pesto gives this healthy mac and cheese recipe instant delicious flavor. If broccoli rabe is too bitter, try using broccolini or regular broccoli instead.

10 of 20

11 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Vegan Cauliflower Alfredo

Vegan Cauliflower Alfredo
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Unbelievably rich and creamy, this easy vegan Alfredo is bound to become a favorite. Be sure to check the ingredient list on your unsweetened almond milk, as some contain vanilla flavoring even if they aren't labeled as such. For this recipe, you'll want almond milk without any vanilla.

11 of 20

12 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Easy Pea & Spinach Carbonara

Easy Pea & Spinach Carbonara
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Fresh pasta cooks up faster than dried, making it a must-have for fast weeknight dinners like this luscious yet healthy meal. Eggs are the base of the creamy sauce. They don't get fully cooked, so use pasteurized-in-the-shell eggs if you prefer.

12 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Quick Stovetop Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese

<p>Precut butternut squash in your grocery store's produce section makes this healthy mac and cheese recipe come together in a flash. For extra flavor, try smoked Gouda cheese.</p>
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Precut butternut squash in your grocery store's produce section makes this healthy mac and cheese recipe come together in a flash. For extra flavor, try smoked Gouda cheese.

13 of 20

14 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Mushroom & Asparagus Fettuccine

<p>Mushrooms add flavor and a meaty texture to this vegetarian pasta dinner. Evaporated fat-free milk makes a rich sauce that's lower in fat than the traditional recipe so you can feel good indulging in this creamy fettuccine recipe.</p>
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Mushrooms add flavor and a meaty texture to this vegetarian pasta dinner. Evaporated fat-free milk makes a rich sauce that's lower in fat than the traditional recipe so you can feel good indulging in this creamy fettuccine recipe.

14 of 20

15 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff

5771134.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The rich mushroom sauce in this vegan version of classic beef stroganoff gets thick and creamy thanks to vegan sour cream.

 

15 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

One-Pot Mac & Cheese with Cauliflower & Brussels Sprouts

6895189.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Taking a minute to sizzle some garlic in olive oil is a simple way to pep up the cheese sauce for this easy homemade mac and cheese, and the flavor plays well with the cauliflower and Brussels sprouts in this family-friendly pasta dish. This recipe is designed for you to make a big batch of the cheese sauce to use in different dishes: Stir it into pasta and veggies to make this pasta a one-pot dinner then use it for Cheesy Beef Enchilada Casserole later in the week (see Associated Recipes). Or simply serve it over your favorite steamed vegetables for an easy side dish. If you'd rather make just enough sauce for this pasta, simply cut the sauce amounts in half.

16 of 20

17 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Avocado and Yogurt Pasta Sauce with Veggies

5609591.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This whole grain, creamy pasta dish is ready in just 30 minutes -- perfect for a weeknight meal.

17 of 20

18 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Lemony Linguine with Spring Vegetables

5147361.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Instead of cooking pasta in a huge pot of water, here we use just 3 1/2 cups for this one-pot pasta recipe. When the pasta is al dente, most of the water has evaporated and the bit that's left is thickened with the starch that cooks off the pasta. With just a few add-ins like lemon and Parmesan cheese you have a delicious silky sauce. Want to use up your veggie stash in the freezer? Swap in 8 ounces frozen spinach for fresh.

18 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Spinach Ravioli with Zucchini Ribbons

<p>For this light vegetarian ravioli recipe, we combine gorgeous long ribbons of zucchini with spinach-and-cheese-stuffed ravioli and a light cream sauce for a satisfying vegetarian pasta dinner.</p>
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

For this light vegetarian ravioli recipe, we combine gorgeous long ribbons of zucchini with spinach-and-cheese-stuffed ravioli and a light cream sauce for a satisfying vegetarian pasta dinner.

19 of 20

20 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Quick Stovetop Mac & Cheese with Peas

<p>Fresh basil and green peas give this healthy mac and cheese recipe a pretty green hue. We like the buttery, nutty flavor of fontina, but provolone, Gruy&egrave;re or Gouda could be used as a substitute.</p>
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Fresh basil and green peas give this healthy mac and cheese recipe a pretty green hue. We like the buttery, nutty flavor of fontina, but provolone, Gruyère or Gouda could be used as a substitute.

20 of 20

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Alex Loh

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 20 Creamy Broccoli Pasta
    2 of 20 Creamy Fettuccine with Brussels Sprouts & Mushrooms
    3 of 20 Pressure-Cooker Mac & Cheese
    4 of 20 Spinach & Artichoke Dip Pasta
    5 of 20 Quick Fettuccine Alfredo
    6 of 20 Butternut Squash Chickpea Mac & Cheese
    7 of 20 Quick Stovetop Mac & Cheese with Red Beets
    8 of 20 Creamy Spinach Pasta
    9 of 20 Gnocchi with Mushrooms & Pumpkin Cream Sauce
    10 of 20 Quick Stovetop Mac & Cheese with Broccoli Rabe
    11 of 20 Vegan Cauliflower Alfredo
    12 of 20 Easy Pea & Spinach Carbonara
    13 of 20 Quick Stovetop Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese
    14 of 20 Mushroom & Asparagus Fettuccine
    15 of 20 Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff
    16 of 20 One-Pot Mac & Cheese with Cauliflower & Brussels Sprouts
    17 of 20 Avocado and Yogurt Pasta Sauce with Veggies
    18 of 20 Lemony Linguine with Spring Vegetables
    19 of 20 Spinach Ravioli with Zucchini Ribbons
    20 of 20 Quick Stovetop Mac & Cheese with Peas

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    EatingWell

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Recipe Index
    • Jobs

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletters
    Sign Up
    Meredith© 2023 EatingWell.com is part of the Allrecipes Food Group. EatingWell may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. All Right Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright EatingWell. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.eatingwell.com

    Sign in

    View image

    20 Creamy Meatless Pasta Recipes Ready in 30 Minutes or Less
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.