Preparing a delicious pasta dish is hard work, especially when you count the calories. Everything is a factor to consider: the type of pasta, the sauce and especially the dressings. But don’t worry, here are simple low-calorie dishes that don’t compromise on taste:
Tropical Pesto Pasta
Calorie count: 465 calories
What do you need:
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2 cups of spaghetti cooked al dente
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6 cloves of garlic
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2 cups loosely packed baby spinach leaves
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1 cup of well packed basil leaves
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1/2 cup Pecorino-Romano cheese, diced
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1/2 cup of chopped walnuts
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1/4 cup lemon juice
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2 tablespoons olive oil
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1/4 teaspoon lemon zest
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1/4 teaspoon of salt
In a food processor, grate the Romano cheese until thick, about 30 seconds. Add the garlic and process again until well combined with the cheese. Add baby spinach, basil leaves, walnuts, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt and process again until the mixture turns into a thick paste. Carefully pour olive oil over the mixture and process until the oil is blended. Place the cooked pasta in a serving bowl and top with sauce. Toss to coat.
Tomato and bean penne
Calorie count: 460 calories
What do you need:
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1 cup penne pasta, cooked al dente
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3 1/2 cups Italian-style diced tomatoes
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2 1/4 cups cannellini beans
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1 1/4 cups fresh spinach
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1/2 cup of crumbled feta cheese
In a large nonstick skillet, combine the tomatoes and cannellini beans and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Lower the heat and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes. Add spinach to skillet; cook and stir for 2 more minutes until leaves have wilted. Place the cooked penne on a serving plate and pour the sauce over it. Top with feta cheese.
Light zucchini pasta
Calorie count: 290 calories
What do you need:
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1 cup linguine pasta, cooked al dente
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3 zucchini, grated
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2 garlic cloves, minced
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1/4 cup nonfat plain yogurt
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1/4 cup cheddar cheese shredded
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1 tablespoon of olive oil
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Salt and ground black pepper to taste
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and sauté the garlic until golden brown. Add a handful of zucchini and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the rest of the zucchini and continue cooking for about 3 more minutes. Place the cooked pasta in a serving bowl and toss with the cooked zucchini, yogurt, and cheddar cheese. Season with salt and black pepper before serving.
Now you can enjoy a delicious pasta dish without guilt and without counting calories – try any of these healthy, low calorie pasta dishes.
