Healthy Pasta Recipes For Two

Find healthy, delicious pasta recipes for two from the food and nutrition experts at EatingWell.

Staff Picks

Chickpea Pasta with Lemony-Parsley Pesto

Rating: 5 stars
2
We love using chickpea pasta in this quick and easy dinner recipe, but other bean pastas or whole-wheat noodles are just as good with this fresh and zesty pesto sauce.
By Sylvia Fountaine

Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo with Summer Vegetables

This creamy and delicious summery twist on fettuccine alfredo is sure to become your new favorite pasta meal.
By Diabetic Living Magazine

Seared Salmon with Pesto Fettuccine for Two

Rating: 5 stars
1
The brightness of basil pesto is a nice match for the buttery flavor of salmon in this quick and healthy dinner recipe. Refrigerated pesto, found near fresh sauces and salsas at most stores, is prettier and has a better taste than jarred varieties.
By EatingWell Test Kitchen

Kale, Sausage & Pepper Pasta

Rating: 4 stars
2
This entire healthy pasta recipe cooks in one skillet, so there's only one pot to clean! Try it with any greens you have in the fridge, such as chard or spinach.
By Joyce Hendley

Italian-Style Turkey & Penne Skillet

Rating: 4.5 stars
1
This delicious one-skillet pasta meal-for-two is ready in just 35 minutes! Turkey--seasoned with a spicy Italian-seasoning blend--is served with tomato sauce and wilted spinach over multi-grain pasta.
By Diabetic Living Magazine

Italian Penne with Tuna

Need a quick pasta dish that's flavorful and colorful? This penne pasta dinner-for-two combines leeks, baby spinach, tuna and sun-dried tomatoes--and it's ready in just 20 minutes!
By Diabetic Living Magazine

Lobster Ravioli

Rating: 5 stars
1
Who says a quick, easy dinner can't feel luxurious? This lobster ravioli recipe takes less than 30 minutes to make. It's quick enough for everyday, but worthy of a special occasion. Whip up this easy dinner on Valentine's Day or double it and serve it on a busy weeknight for the whole family to enjoy.
By Robin Bashinsky

Udon Noodle Bowl

This Asian-inspired Udon Noodle Bowl can be ready in just 30 minutes. It's a perfect weeknight meal, quick and incredibly satisfying.
By Diabetic Living Magazine

Chicken Pasta Primavera

Ready in under an hour, this pasta and veggie dish is perfect for any night of the week!
By Diabetic Living Magazine

Seafood Couscous Paella

Rating: 4.83 stars
7
Whole-wheat couscous soaks up this savory saffron-infused broth.
By EatingWell Test Kitchen

Spicy Thai Noodles

Rating: 4 stars
1
Sauces made with heavy creams are loaded with calories and saturated fat. This recipe uses a peanut sauce that has all the richness of a cream sauce but with heart-healthy fats instead. Be careful--if using a store-bought sauce, check the ingredients list for added sugars!
By Diabetic Living Magazine

Lemony Asparagus Pasta

Rating: 4.26 stars
11
Penne and asparagus are bathed in a rich sauce with a slight bite of mustard, lemon and Parmesan. This dish is lovely in early spring, when asparagus is at its peak and nights are still cool enough to inspire a craving for something rich and warm.
By EatingWell Test Kitchen
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Inspiration and Ideas

Three-Cheese Vegetable Pasta Toss

Three-Cheese Vegetable Pasta Toss
Traditional macaroni and cheese is transformed by adding mushrooms, spinach, and tomato sauce. And it's ready in just 20 minutes!
Lemon-Garlic Sardine Fettuccine for Two

Lemon-Garlic Sardine Fettuccine for Two
Rating: Unrated
5
Even sardine skeptics will enjoy this lemony pasta with crispy breadcrumbs. Substitute a 5- to 6-ounce can chunk light tuna for the sardines if you prefer. If you are using tuna or can't find sardines packed in tomato sauce, add 1 tablespoon tomato paste with the lemon juice in Step 4. Serve with a salad of bitter greens tossed with a lemon vinaigrette and a glass of pinot grigio.
Chicken & Gnocchi Dumplings for Two

Chicken & Gnocchi Dumplings for Two
Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe & Chickpeas

Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe & Chickpeas
Rating: Unrated
4
Vegetable Lover's Chicken Soup

Vegetable Lover's Chicken Soup
Rating: Unrated
7
Fettuccine Alfredo

Fettuccine Alfredo
Rating: Unrated
10

Creamy Garlic Pasta with Shrimp & Vegetables for Two

Rating: 4.15 stars
13

Toss a garlicky, Middle Eastern-inspired yogurt sauce with pasta, shrimp, asparagus, peas and red bell pepper for a fresh, satisfying summer meal. Serve with: Slices of cucumber and tomato tossed with lemon juice and olive oil.

All Healthy Pasta Recipes For Two

Lamb & Eggplant Ragu

Rating: 3.33 stars
1
Lamb and eggplant are combined in dishes throughout the Mediterranean. Together they deliver a complex, hearty, earthy flavor that's truly satisfying. In this dish, toasted pine nuts and tangy feta cheese are excellent accents.
By EatingWell Test Kitchen

Orzo Salad with Chickpeas & Artichoke Hearts

Rating: 3.89 stars
3
Quintessential Greek flavors--feta, lemon and dill--combine perfectly in this hearty salad. To complete the Mediterranean mood, try pairing it with a Greek Retsina or a Portuguese Vinho Verde.
By EatingWell Test Kitchen

Swordfish & Mixed Vegetable Stir-Fry

Put your wok to work and whip up this easy stir-fry dinner-for-two in just 20 minutes. Bursting with chunks of swordfish and mixed vegetables, it tastes great served over rice or chow mein noodles.
By Diabetic Living Magazine

Shrimp and Avocado-Cream Pasta

This recipe has a tasty secret: the creamy sauce is made with nutritious avocado! Mix it together with multigrain pasta for a healthy dinner option.
By Diabetic Living Magazine

Ginger Chicken with Rice Noodles

Thin rice noodles, made from finely ground rice and water, can be found in large supermarkets. For this easy grilled chicken main dish recipe, thin spaghetti can be substituted as well.
By Diabetic Living Magazine

Braised Cauliflower & Squash Penne for Two

In this braised cauliflower and squash penne pasta recipe, we cook the pasta and vegetables in broth rather than water to make this warming vegetarian pasta extra flavorful. The starch from the pasta and vegetables combines with the broth as it simmers and creates a silky sauce. And you can make the whole dish in just one pot, so cleanup is a breeze.
By EatingWell Test Kitchen

Lime Pork Piccata with Garlic Kale & Gnocchi

Slices of pork tenderloin marinated in lime juice are the perfect accompaniment to an easy kale and gnocchi side. Add some steamed or roasted carrots to round out the meal.
By Diabetic Living Magazine

Chicken & Farfalle with Creamy Walnut Sauce

Rating: 5 stars
3
Gorgeous-looking and lively tasting, this dish is rich in omega-3s, thanks to a double-hit of walnuts (nuts and oil). And although it's a bit pricy, walnut oil adds a distinctive, complementary flavor. You can also use it in a vinaigrette to top an accompanying salad.
By Ruth Cousineau

Spaghetti with Mushroom Bolognese

Rating: 4 stars
3
Domestic white (or “button”) mushrooms stand in for the meat in this still-hearty variation of a classic sauce. Serve with a sprinkling of freshly grated Parmesan or a spoonful of part-skim ricotta cheese. Complete the meal with a crisp arugula salad.
By EatingWell Test Kitchen

Pasta with Swiss Chard

Basil, garlic, nutmeg and pepper gently season this red, white and green Italian-style pasta entree.
By Diabetic Living Magazine

Pork & Bok Choy Stir-Fry for Two

Rating: 5 stars
1
Cutting the bok choy into long, thin strips mimic the long noodles in this pork stir-fry. We like Japanese soba noodles because they are made with buckwheat, which gives them a nutty flavor and a boost of fiber. You can also use mild-flavored rice noodles or whole-wheat spaghetti. Serve with sliced cucumbers dressed with rice-wine vinegar and a glass of sauvignon blanc.
By EatingWell Test Kitchen

Ravioli with Sweet Peppers

This pretty vegetable and pasta main dish recipe scores high in flavor and nutrients. Each serving provides more than half the daily recommendations for vitamins A and C.
By Diabetic Living Magazine

Sage and Cream Turkey Fettuccine

Fat-free sour cream adds extra richness without a lot of calories and fat to this quick turkey and pasta dinner for two.
By Diabetic Living Magazine

Orecchiette alla Carrettiera ("Wagon-Driver Style")

Orecchiette is a traditional ear-shaped pasta. This raw sauce is perfect for hot summer nights.
By G. Franco Romagnoli

Pork, Apple & Miso Noodle Soup for Two

Apples and mild white miso lightly sweeten this easy one-pot soup. It's got plenty of flavor with few ingredients, but feel free to add sliced scallions for a refreshing crunch or a dash of hot sauce for zing. Serve with toasted baguette with melted Cheddar cheese and a watercress salad.
By EatingWell Test Kitchen

Orzo with Lamb, Olives & Feta for Two

Rating: 5 stars
1
Sure, orzo is good in soup, but there's no need to stop there. Here it's a base for a bold blend of spices, tomato sauce and flavorful ground lamb. The optional pinch of crushed red pepper will add the heat that many crave.
By Marge Perry

Tomato Soup with Orzo & Basil

Chopped tomatoes, fresh basil and Parmesan cheese update canned tomato soup.
By EatingWell Test Kitchen

Penne All'Arrabbiata ("In a Rage")

This classic Roman pasta dish gets a jolt from crushed red pepper and garlic-infused oil.
By G. Franco Romagnoli

Couscous Paella Soup for Two

Rating: 4 stars
1
This soup recipe for two is inspired by the flavors and ingredients of paella, but unlike paella it's simple enough for a speedy weeknight dinner. If you can't find Spanish chorizo, use pepperoni (add a pinch of smoked paprika if you have it). Serve with warm whole-grain garlic bread.
By EatingWell Test Kitchen

Fennel & Shrimp Fra Diavolo for Two

Sweet shrimp and fennel are just the thing to pair with spicy, garlicky tomato sauce in this healthy makeover of an Italian pasta recipe. If you're not a fan of heat, adjust the amount of crushed red pepper to taste. Serve with a green salad with a red-wine vinaigrette or sautéed green vegetables.
By EatingWell Test Kitchen

Spring Vegetable Ragout

Rating: 3 stars
1
Italian ragus tend to be long-simmered dishes, but a French ragout is a quicker affair, a thick, cheesy stew. Tossed over pasta, this one is a true fusion, a halfway point between ragu and ragout.
By EatingWell Test Kitchen
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