Sassy Chopsticks

  • Flavorful Asian-inspired Recipes
  • Recipes
  • Pantry
  • How-To
  • About
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Pantry
  • How-To
  • About
  • Subscribe

subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Pantry
  • How-To
  • About
  • Subscribe

×
Home » Trending

Healthy Pasta Recipes That Don’t Taste Like Diet Food

Published: Jun 10, 2025 by Yuan

1 shares
  • Facebook
  • Flipboard
  • X

These pasta dishes strike a balance between lightness and flavor, ensuring satisfaction without compromise. Packed with fresh ingredients and smart swaps, they feel indulgent while staying balanced. You won’t even notice they’re on the healthier side. Pasta night just got a fresh upgrade.

Pasta Primavera

Colorful pasta primavera with assorted vegetables in a light sauce, served in a white bowl.
Pasta Primavera. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

Pasta Primavera is a light and vibrant dish packed with fresh vegetables and tossed in a flavorful sauce. This classic pasta recipe is perfect for a quick and healthy meal that celebrates seasonal produce. A great option for a vegetarian-friendly dinner!
Get the Recipe: Pasta Primavera

Balsamic Tofu Pasta Salad

Tofu pasta salad with spiral noodles, fresh veggies, and cubed tofu in a light dressing.
Balsamic Tofu Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Running To The Kitchen.

Tofu pasta salad is an easy, light and healthy meal or side dish bursting with fresh summer vegetables and an easy balsamic dressing. A protein packed way to enjoy pasta salad while keeping it plant-based.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Tofu Pasta Salad

Greek Pasta Salad

Greek pasta salad with rotini pasta, cherry tomatoes, olives, cucumber, and feta.
Greek Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Running To The Kitchen.

This Greek pasta salad with Barilla Better for You pasta is a healthy spin on the classic side dish and filled with fresh veggies!
Get the Recipe: Greek Pasta Salad

Roasted Veggie & Chicken Sausage Penne Bowls (Gluten Free)

Penne pasta with roasted vegetables and sliced chicken sausage in a hearty bowl.
Roasted Veggie & Chicken Sausage Penne Bowls (Gluten Free). Photo credit: The Creative Bite.

A healthy and hearty gluten-free meal featuring roasted vegetables, chicken sausage, and penne pasta. Ideal for a nutritious and satisfying dinner.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Veggie & Chicken Sausage Penne Bowls (Gluten Free)

Lemon Salmon Orzo Skillet

Lemon salmon orzo skillet with flaked salmon and fresh herbs in a lemony sauce.
Lemon Salmon Orzo Skillet. Photo credit: The Creative Bite.

A light and refreshing skillet meal featuring lemon-flavored salmon and orzo pasta. It's a perfect dish for a quick and healthy dinner, especially during warmer months.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Salmon Orzo Skillet

Vegan Pasta Primavera

Vibrant vegan pasta primavera with seasonal vegetables in a light sauce.
Vegan Pasta Primavera. Photo credit: An Immigrant's Table.

This pasta primavera is a great option for pasta enthusiasts looking for a plant-based and allergen-friendly recipe. Packed with fresh seasonal vegetables and tossed in a flavorful sauce, it provides a vibrant and wholesome pasta experience.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Pasta Primavera

Balsamic Dressing Pasta Salad

Elbow macaroni pasta salad with diced vegetables and creamy dressing, served chilled.
Balsamic Dressing Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Life Currents.

This Balsamic Dressing Pasta Salad is a classic easy to make pasta salad. It’s made with your favorite shape of small pasta, lots of veggies, chickpeas for protein, and balsamic dressing for great flavors in an easy to make pasta salad that’s perfect for summer dining, BBQs, and picnics.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Dressing Pasta Salad

Broccoli Pasta Salad with Roasted Squash & Walnuts

Pasta salad with broccoli, roasted squash, and bowtie pasta, served on a white plate.
Broccoli Pasta Salad with Roasted Squash & Walnuts. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

This is my favorite gluten free vegan pasta salad recipe. I love the dressing on this vegetable pasta salad.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Pasta Salad with Roasted Squash & Walnuts

Mediterranean Shrimp Linguine

Greek-style linguine in white wine sauce with herbs and sliced olives.
Mediterranean Shrimp Linguine. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Mediterranean shrimp linguine has it all - al dente pasta, juicy shrimp, vibrant veggies, the best seasonings from the Med, and more!
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Shrimp Linguine

Zucchini Mushroom Pasta

Zucchini and mushroom pasta with spaghetti and a light garlic sauce.
Zucchini Mushroom Pasta. Photo credit: Vanilla Bean Cuisine.

This Zucchini Mushroom Pasta dish is packed with savory sautéed vegetables, and topped with a decadent ball of burrata cheese. Summer in a bowl!
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Mushroom Pasta

20-Minute Orzo Pesto Salad

Orzo pesto salad with cherry tomatoes and arugula in a vibrant green pesto dressing.
20-Minute Orzo Pesto Salad. Photo credit: Vanilla Bean Cuisine.

This Orzo Pesto Salad is the perfect summer pasta salad. Orzo tossed with pesto sauce, juicy cherry tomatoes, tangy Kalamata olives, and mozzarella cheese. On the table in 20 minutes!
Get the Recipe: 20-Minute Orzo Pesto Salad

Orzo Risotto with Roasted Vegetables

Orzo pasta with sautéed vegetables in a colorful, healthy side dish presentation.
Orzo Risotto with Roasted Vegetables. Photo credit: Life Currents.

Orzo Risotto with Roasted Vegetables is an easy weeknight meal that’s packed with veggies. Cooking the orzo this way, like risotto, releases more of the starches and creates a creamier thicker pasta base than simply boiling and draining the pasta.
Get the Recipe: Orzo Risotto with Roasted Vegetables

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




me

Hey there! Welcome to SassyChopsticks.com!

I'm Yuan, a writer, world traveler, web developer, and photographer based in the U.S. My journey has taken me across multiple countries, from Malaysia to England, before I settled in Tennessee, where I've called home for nearly two decades.

More about me →

Popular

  • A colorful strawberry banana smoothie in a clear glass, showcasing a blend of strawberries and bananas on a cutting board.
    Healthy Strawberry Banana Smoothie Without Yogurt
  • Close-up of warm red bean soup in a pretty blue and white color bowl 252.
    Easy Red Bean Soup Instant Pot Recipe You Must Try
  • A plate of lemon white chocolate cookies.
    5-Ingredient Lemon White Chocolate Cookies With Cake Mix
  • Tuna kimbap on a brown cutting board with a few spinach leaves on the side.
    Spicy Tuna Kimbap Rolls – Quick & Tasty Recipe

Trending recipes

  • rolls
    Chinese Egg Rolls
  • stir fry Taiwanese spinach
    Stir Fry Taiwanese Spinach with Garlic
  • Creamy coconut shrimp buffet style
    Creamy Coconut Shrimp Buffet Style- Quick and Easy
  • Chinese sponge cake
    Chinese Sponge Cake Recipe (Chiffon Cake)

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Newsletter

Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT