15 Healthy Pasta Sauce Recipes

A pasta night doesn’t have to be indulgent—in fact, any bowl of spaghetti can be part of a nutritious, balanced, and delicious diet. With these healthy pasta sauce recipes, you can satisfy your next carb craving. as well as Achieve your health goals in one delicious bowl of herb pesto or classic marinara.

The key to any nutritious pasta sauce is a good vegetable base — like spaghetti with roasted vegetables (cauliflower! broccoli! onions!) or penne with fresh herbs, seasonal tomatoes, or leafy greens. Try lasagne with protein-rich cashew cream or a traditional tomato sauce with light, flavorful ingredients like fennel, capers, olives and more. Pasta topped with protein fillings like creamy white beans, lean chicken, or any number of meatball recipes can be the perfect balance plate of protein, vegetables, healthy fats, and carbs.

Want to further increase the nutritional value of your dinner? According to a GH nutritionist, the healthiest ways to eat pasta are whole grain pasta (which boasts a heartier, nuttier flavor than traditional pasta) or try bean and legume-based noodles. You can also take apart your spiralizer to try plant-based “pastas” (hello, itchies!), which offer a low-calorie alternative. Many of these recipes follow nutritionist recommendations, such as doubling the serving of vegetables and cutting the amount of pasta in half or a third. Grab a fork, pasta for dinner tonight!