Pasta is one of the most popular comfort foods around. It’s quick, easy and it’s something that everyone seems to love. However, traditional pasta dishes are often loaded with sodium and calories which can leave you feeling bloated and guilty afterward. If you’re looking for ways to enjoy this beloved dish while still keeping your diet in check, then you’ll love these creamy pasta dinners that are high in protein. This list will show you some new ways to enjoy this classic meal without feeling like you’ve fallen off your diet.
Quick Shrimp Puttanesca
One of the best ways to enjoy pasta without feeling guilty is by making quick recipes with shrimp. Shrimp is a great source of protein and it’s also low in calories; a great combination for weight loss diets. You can make this delicious puttanesca pasta in just minutes by cooking the pasta, adding the shrimp and then topping it off with your favorite puttanesca sauce. The puttanesca sauce will add a burst of flavor to this dish, while still keeping the calories low. This recipe serves 2 and has 12 grams of protein per serving.
Ingredients – 1 pound whole wheat pasta – 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil – 2 garlic cloves, minced – 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled, deveined – 1/4 teaspoon black pepper – 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes – 3 tablespoons capers, drained – 1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives – 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley – Salt, to taste Instructions – Boil the pasta according to package instructions. Drain, and set aside. – In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and shrimp; season with black pepper.
Cook, stirring occasionally until the shrimp are pink and opaque and the garlic is fragrant about 5 minutes. – Stir in the crushed tomatoes, capers, olives and parsley. Season with salt, to taste, then simmer for 5 more minutes, or until the sauce thickens. – Transfer the sauce to a large bowl. Add the pasta and toss to coat.
One-Pot Cheesy Tex-Mex Pasta
If you love all things Tex-Mex, then you’ll love this cheesy one-pot pasta. This recipe combines two of the most popular Tex-Mex foods; enchilada sauce and cheddar cheese, to create a decadent pasta dish. By combining these ingredients with pasta, you’ll end up with a dish that’s high in protein and fiber, but low in fat. This makes for a great meal if you’re trying to lose weight, or if you just want to feel full for longer with fewer calories. This recipe serves 2 and has 19 grams of protein per serving.
Ingredients – 2 cups water – 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth – 1/2 teaspoon salt – 1/2 teaspoon pepper – 9 ounces whole wheat rotini pasta – 1 tablespoon olive oil – 1/2 red onion, diced – 1 bell pepper, diced – 1 tablespoon minced garlic – 1 jalapeno, seeded and diced – 1 cup chopped cherry tomatoes – 1 teaspoon ground cumin – 1 15-ounce can enchilada sauce – 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Instructions – In a large pot, bring the water, broth, salt and pepper to a boil. Add the pasta, and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente. – In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the red onion, and cook, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes, or until fragrant and softened. – Stir in the bell pepper, garlic and jalapeno;
cook, stirring frequently, for about 3 minutes, or until the bell pepper is tender. – Stir in the cherry tomatoes, cumin and enchilada sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover, and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly. – Stir in the cooked pasta, and sprinkle with the cheese.
Ground Beef & Pasta Skillet
If you enjoy Italian food but don’t always have time to make it, then this ground beef and pasta skillet is for you. This skillet is made with ground beef, pasta, and a creamy tomato sauce that’s flavored with parmesan cheese, basil, and garlic. This recipe is so easy to make because you cook the pasta and ground beef together in a skillet. By combining these two ingredients in the same skillet, you’ll save time and energy because you won’t have to use two different pots and pans to cook the meal. This recipe serves 2 and has 20 grams of protein per serving.
Ingredients – 1 pound whole wheat spaghetti – 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil – 1 pound lean ground beef – 1/2 teaspoon black pepper – 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder – 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes – 1/2 teaspoon salt – 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese – 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil – 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley – Freshly ground black pepper, to taste Instructions – Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain, and set aside. – In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and pepper.
Cook, breaking up the beef with a wooden spoon until the beef has browned. Season with garlic powder and salt. – Stir in the crushed tomatoes, parmesan cheese, basil, and parsley. Season with black pepper, to taste, and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly. – Transfer the sauce to a large bowl. Add the pasta and toss to coat.
Creamy Spinach Pasta with White Beans
If you’re looking for a creamy pasta dish that’s low in calories, then you’ll love this spinach pasta with white beans. This simple recipe only takes a few minutes to make and is a great option for a quick and healthy dinner. This recipe is best made with fresh spinach and white beans, but you can also use frozen spinach and canned beans if you’re in a rush. This recipe is so easy to make that even the most inexperienced cooks can make it. This recipe serves 2 and has 31 grams of protein per serving.
Ingredients – 1 pound whole wheat spaghetti – 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil – 1 cup water – 1/2 teaspoon salt – 1/2 teaspoon pepper – 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder – 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes – 2 cups fresh spinach leaves – 2 cups cooked white beans – 1 cup skim milk – 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese – Salt, to taste Instructions – Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain, and set aside. – In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the water, salt, pepper, garlic powder and red pepper flakes. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.
Cover, and cook for about 5 minutes. – Add the spinach and beans to the skillet, and cook for about 2 minutes, or until the spinach has wilted and the beans are heated through. – Stir in the cooked spaghetti, and the milk. Season with salt, to taste, and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly. – Transfer the sauce to a large bowl. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese, and serve.
Spinach & Artichoke Dip Pasta
If you love spinach and artichoke dip, then you’re going to love this pasta recipe. It incorporates all the flavors of this classic appetizer into a delicious pasta dish that’s high in protein. This dish is easy to make and only takes about 30 minutes. You can serve this for a quick weeknight meal. Plus, it’s low carb and gluten-free, so it’s a good option for those following a diet.
What You Need Serves 4 ½ cup uncooked pasta (quinoa spaghetti, brown rice spaghetti, or whole wheat spaghetti) 2 cups artichoke hearts, drained and chopped ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese ½ cup crumbled feta cheese ¼ cup chopped shallots ¼ cup chopped red bell pepper ¼ cup chopped green bell pepper ¼ cup chopped black olives ¼ tsp salt ¼ tsp pepper ¼ tsp garlic powder ¼ tsp dried oregano ¼ cup milk ¼ cup mayonnaise ¼ tsp ground black pepper What You Need to Do Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta to the water and cook for about 7 minutes or until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
Preheat the oven to 300°F. In a large bowl, combine the artichoke, cheeses, shallots, bell peppers, olives, salt, pepper, and oregano. Mix until well combined. Transfer the mixture to a 9-inch baking dish. Top with the cooked pasta. Combine the milk, mayo, pepper and garlic powder in a small bowl. Mix until well combined. Pour the milk mixture over the pasta. Bake the pasta for 15 minutes or until the sauce has been set. Serve the pasta hot.
Creamy Arugula Pesto Pasta with Peas & Tomatoes
If you love pesto pasta, then you’re going to love this arugula pesto recipe. Not only does it taste delicious, but it’s also high in protein. Plus, this recipe is quick and easy to make and you can make it with ingredients you probably already have on hand. You can enjoy this for lunch or as a side dish for dinner. This is a great recipe for those on a vegan or vegetarian diet.
What You Need Serves 2 ½ cup uncooked pasta (whole wheat spaghetti, brown rice spaghetti, or quinoa spaghetti) 2 cups frozen peas 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved 1 tbsp olive oil 1 clove garlic, minced ¼ cup arugula pesto ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese What You Need to Do Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta to the water and cook for 9 minutes or until al dente. Add the peas to the water and cook for about 3 minutes or until the peas are warm.
Drain the pasta and peas and set them aside. Combine the oil and garlic in a small pan. Heat the pan over medium heat. Simmer the oil and garlic for 2 minutes or until the garlic is fragrant. Combine the pasta, peas, and tomatoes in a large bowl. Add the garlic oil and stir to combine. Sprinkle the arugula pesto and parmesan over the pasta. Stir to combine. Serve the pasta hot.
Tuna Mac and Cheese
If you love tuna and mac and cheese, then you’re going to love this tuna mac and cheese recipe. It combines two favorites into one delicious meal. You can enjoy this as dinner or as a side dish. This is a great recipe for those who are following a low-carb diet. It’s also low in calories, making it an ideal meal for those who are trying to lose weight.
What You Need Serves 4 ¼ cup uncooked pasta (whole wheat spaghetti, brown rice spaghetti, or quinoa spaghetti) 1 can tuna, flaked 2 tbsp mayonnaise 2 tbsp sour cream 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese ¼ cup Parmesan cheese 2 tbsp crushed Ritz crackers 1 cup milk 1 tbsp butter 1 tbsp cornstarch ¼ tsp salt ¼ tsp black pepper ¼ tsp garlic powder What You Need to Do Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta to the water and cook for 8 minutes or until al dente.
Drain the pasta and set it aside. Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, combine the tuna, mayo, sour cream, cheddar and mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, Ritz crackers and milk. Mix until well combined. Transfer the mixture to a 9-inch baking dish. Top the mixture with the cooked pasta. Combine the butter, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a small bowl. Heat the mixture in the microwave for 1 minute or until the butter has melted. Sprinkle the butter mixture over the pasta. Bake the pasta for 15 minutes. Serve hot.
One-Pot Chicken & Broccoli Pasta
If you love chicken and broccoli, then you’re going to love this chicken and broccoli pasta recipe. It combines two favorites into one delicious meal. This is a wholesome, hearty meal that is perfect for a cold winter’s day. This is a great recipe for those who are following a low-carb diet. It’s also low in calories, making it an ideal meal for those who are trying to lose weight.
What You Need Serves 4 ½ cup uncooked pasta (whole wheat spaghetti, brown rice spaghetti, or quinoa spaghetti) 1 cup broccoli florets 2 cups cooked chicken breast, cubed 1 clove garlic, minced 1 cup chicken broth ½ cup heavy cream 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese, grated ¼ tsp lemon zest ¼ tsp black pepper ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes What You Need to Do Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta to the water and cook for 9 minutes or until al dente. Add the broccoli to the water and cook for about 3 minutes or until the broccoli is tender.
Drain the pasta and broccoli and set them aside. Combine the garlic, chicken, broccoli, chicken broth, heavy cream and Parmesan cheese in a large pot. Heat the pot over medium heat. Simmer the pot for about 5 minutes or until the sauce has thickened. Stir in the lemon zest, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Combine the pasta and sauce in a large bowl. Serve the pasta hot.
DIY Creamy Alfredo Sauce
Alfredo sauce is a great way to add a creamy element to any pasta dish. However, it can get expensive to buy the pre-made versions at the store. This DIY creamy alfredo sauce is a great way to make this sauce for a fraction of the cost. This recipe can also be adjusted to suit your specific tastes and dietary needs.
Ingredients – 2 cups of heavy cream – 1 cup of Parmesan cheese – 1/2 tsp of ground black pepper – 1/2 tsp of salt Preparation Start by bringing the heavy cream to a boil. Once the cream starts to bubble, lower the heat and let it simmer on low. Whisk in the Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Continue to stir the contents of the pot until the sauce has thickened. Turn off the heat and let the sauce cool.
Once the sauce has reached room temperature, store it in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.
Conclusion
Pasta is a great food to eat regularly. It’s packed with carbohydrates and vitamins, and it’s super cheap. While it’s good to eat pasta from time to time, you don’t want to make it a staple of your diet. Eating a diet that is high in carbohydrates can cause you to gain weight, especially if you’re eating high-carb foods like pasta. This list of creamy pasta dinners that are high in protein will show you some great ways to enjoy this classic dish while still keeping your diet in check.
