21 Healthy One-Pot Pasta Recipes With 10 Grams of Protein or More

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All you need is a single pot and a box of your favorite noodles to make these recipes.
Image Credit:Lilechka75/iStock/GettyImages

Getting dinner on the table can be quite the challenge after a full day's work (that's no secret), but it's also why we're obsessed withone-pot meals. They're quick, easy and usually require minimal ingredients.

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And one of our favorite meals to transform into a one-pot wonder is pasta.

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Pasta dishescan be laborious, but these one-pot recipes prove that you can enjoy a comforting meal without using every pot in your cabinet. We asked two registered dietitians to help us round up healthy one-pot pasta recipes that pack the protein, so you'll be full for hours.

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1. Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

If you can't find shirataki noodles in your local grocery store, swap with zoodles or whole-grain pasta.
Image Credit:Fudio/Adobe Stock
  • 99 calories
  • 14 grams of protein

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"I like the idea of adding shrimp to a pasta dish, so you get a good dose of satiating protein, as well asheart-healthy omega-3s," saysAmy Gorin, RDN, plant-based registered dietitian and owner ofPlant-Based Eats. "Since this dish is low in carbohydrates, it makes it ideal for anyone with diabetes or following a low-carb or keto diet."

Get theLemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta recipeand nutrition info here.

2. Pesto Zucchini Noodle Pasta With Avocado and Soft-Boiled Eggs

With only 8 grams of carbohydrates per serving, this pasta recipe can fit into any low carb diet.
Image Credit:Sarah Gim/The Delicious Life
  • 474 calories
  • 16 grams of protein

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Not only is this dish rich in protein, but it is a good source of fiber, too. "You get heart-healthy fats from the avocado and pesto, but the sodium in this dish is on the higher end," Gorin warns. Consider watching your sodium intake throughout the rest of the day and drinking plenty of water to help offset it.

3. One-Pot Spaghetti

Making this American family favorite just got a whole lot easier (fewer dishes included).
  • 483 calories
  • 28 grams of protein

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"Thecanned tomatoes在这个食谱提供了一个不错的antioxi的剂量dant lycopene," Gorin says. And even though ground beef is the star of this dish, you can swap for any protein of your choice including turkey, chicken or seafood.

Get theOne-Pot Spaghetti recipeand nutrition info at Buns In My Oven.

4. One-Pot Pasta With Peas and Bacon

Go for turkey bacon if you want to cut down on your saturated fat intake.
  • 428 calories
  • 21.2 grams of protein

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Adding peas to any pasta dish helps to boost the fiber, since 2/3 cup of the legume has 4 grams of fiber, according to theUSDA. And the use of yogurt in this pasta dish adds probiotic benefits, Gorin says.

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Get theOne-Pot Pasta With Peas and Bacon recipeand nutrition info at The Endless Meal.

5. Grandma's One-Pan Homemade Hamburger Helper

Skip the boxed mix for this homemade version that's full of protein.
  • 291 calories
  • 30 grams of protein

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Lean ground beef is the superstar of this family favorite. If you're looking to cut down on the salt, consider using low-sodium broth in this recipe. To make it a well-balanced meal, pair this beefy pasta with a green vegetable or side salad.

Get theGrandma's One-Pan Homemade Hamburger Helper recipeand nutrition info at The Seasoned Mom.

6. Lightened Up One-Skillet Shrimp Alfredo

Enjoy all the flavors of traditional alfredo with just a fraction of the calories thanks to quick and easy healthy swaps.
  • 445 calories
  • 37 grams of protein

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Alfredo is one of those pasta dishes that never sounds healthy — until now. This lightened-up version uses 1 percent milk instead ofheavy creamto make a creamy base. Note that the dairy milk can be replaced with almond, coconut or oat milk if you're following a dairy-free diet.

Get theLightened Up One-Skillet Shrimp Alfredo recipeand nutrition info at The Seasoned Mom.

7. One-Skillet Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken and Gnocchi

Thanks to the shortcut rotisserie chicken, you can whip up this skinny pasta on a busy weeknight.
  • 393 calories
  • 12.6 grams of protein

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We love that this recipe is gluten-free and comes together in just 15 minutes. To lighten up this pasta dish even more, swap out the half and half for 2 percent milk. Oh, and don't forget to load up on the spinach for an extra boost of vitamins and minerals.

Get theOne-Skillet Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken and Gnocchi recipeand nutrition info at Eat Yourself Skinny.

8. One-Pot Pizza Pasta

No need to order delivery when you can get all the flavors of your favorite pizza in an easy-to-make pasta dish.
  • 432 calories
  • 30 grams of protein

Thanks to the ground beef, cheese and pepperoni, this one-pot dish packs some major protein. "If you're looking to add more fiber, choose whole-grain pasta,"Rachael Hartley, RDand author ofGentle Nutrition, says.

Get theOne-Pot Pizza Pasta recipeand nutrition info at Five Heart Home.

9. One-Pot Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta

This pasta is cheesy and creamy with a hint of pesto flavor.
  • 748.68 calories
  • 41.75 grams of protein

Consider this a well-balanced meal in a pot. "The use of sun-dried tomatoes concentrates all the benefits found in fresh tomatoes with more vitamin C, lycopene and fiber," Hartley says. And for even more nutritional benefits, sneak in additional veggies like peppers, broccoli or peas.

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Get theOne-Pot Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta recipeand nutrition info at Budget Bytes.

10. Party Pasta Salad

You can alter this pasta salad to include whatever vegetables you have in your fridge.
Image Credit:Kitty/Adobe Stock
  • 189 calories
  • 10 grams of protein

Pasta salads get a bad rap because they're usually coated with mayo, which racks up calories quickly. Instead, this version is made with olive oil and vinegar. "Because there are pasta and lots of veggies in this dish, you get a hefty dose of fiber — 5 grams per serving," Gorin says.

Get theParty Pasta Salad recipeand nutrition info here.

11. Whole-Wheat Pasta With Sausage, Peas and Ricotta

One serving of this pasta has more than 8 grams of fiber.
  • 571 calories
  • 32 grams of protein

"Whole-grain pastais a tasty and budget-friendly source of fiber," Hartley says. To make this a well-balanced meal, she suggests adding more veggies and serving it with a salad of arugula, toasted walnuts and a lemon vinaigrette.

Get theWhole-Wheat Pasta With Sausage, Peas and Ricotta recipeand nutrition info at The Lemon Bowl.

12. Chicken Parmesan Pasta Skillet

Using jarred pasta sauce is a well-appreciated shortcut to make this one-pot dish even easier.
  • 333 calories
  • 21 grams of protein

You only need eight ingredients to whip up this pasta dish. The only thing missing is a healthy dose of vegetables. Consider adding spinach or kale to the pasta bake or serving with a side of grilled zucchini and squash to round out the meal.

Get theChicken Parmesan Pasta Skillet recipeand nutrition info at The Cookie Rookie.

13. Magic One-Pot Mac and Cheese

This cheesy dish is kid- and parent-approved.
  • 539 calories
  • 26 grams of protein

While we like to consider mac and cheese a well-balanced meal, it doesn't quite cut it if you're looking to adopt a healthy lifestyle. "Serve this with crispy baked chicken thighs and roasted broccoli for a balanced meal," Hartley suggests.

Get theMagic One-Pot Mac and Cheese recipeand nutrition info at Nourish and Fete.

14. Vegan Mushroom Pasta

You'll get 4.7 grams of fiber in each serving of this vegan pasta.
  • 415 calories
  • 15.7 grams of protein

"Mushrooms are a great way to add meaty, umami flavor tomeatless dishes," Hartley says. "They're also packed with antioxidants, zinc and vitamin D." To add even more protein, pop in a plant-based source like vegan sausage or tempeh.

Get theVegan Mushroom Pasta recipeand nutrition info at Avocado Centric.

15. One-Pot Vegan Pasta

如果你喜欢蔬菜,你会喜欢这个veggie-loaded pasta.
  • 427 calories
  • 13.7 grams of protein

Whether you're vegan or not, we can all benefit from enjoying a meatless meal from time to time. Instead of adding beef or chicken, pack on more protein with ingredients like chickpeas or vegan meat substitutes, Hartley suggests.

Get theOne-Pot Vegan Pasta recipeand nutrition info at Minimalist Baker.

16. Creamy Lemon One-Pot Pasta

All you need is 20 minutes to put together this one-pot, lemony dish.
  • 373 calories
  • 14 grams of protein

While this pasta looks delicious on its own, you can make it a more wholesome meal by adding grilled chicken strips and a side of roasted vegetables, Hartley says. And if you're vegetarian, opt for tofu or peas.

Get theCreamy Lemon One-Pot Pasta recipeand nutrition info at Diethood.

17. One-Pot Summertime Primavera

Primavera pastas traditionally include a lightly sautéed variety of bright, colorful vegetables.
  • 425 calories
  • 29 grams of protein

If you love veggies or strive to eat more of them, primavera pasta is the way to go. There really are no rules or limitations with this pasta, so you can feel free to add as many vegetables as you'd like. "To add more protein to this dish, stir in a can of white beans," Harley says.

Get theOne-Pot Summertime Primavera recipeand nutrition info at Wholefully.

18. Instant Pot Mac and Cheese With Broccoli

Sneaking in broccoli to this American favorite is a great way to get your littles ones to eat more vegetables.
  • 472 calories
  • 23.3 grams of protein

The combination of broccoli and mustard makes thismac and cheese recipetruly unique. "The sodium content is high, so consider cutting back or removing the added salt," Gorin suggests.

Get theInstant Pot Mac and Cheese With Broccoli recipeand nutrition info at Eat Yourself Skinny.

19. One-Pot Creamy Tomato Chicken Spinach Pasta

Customize this recipe by adding in a variety of spices and seasonings to boost flavor without adding extra calories.
  • 216 calories
  • 21 grams of protein

"Work in nutrient-rich green leafy veggies in this creamy pasta," Hartley says. "Spinach packs a dose of vitamin C, iron, vitamin K, folic acid and calcium." Plus, it won't alter the flavor of your pasta, only up the nutrients.

Get theOne-Pot Creamy Tomato Chicken Spinach Pasta recipeand nutrition info at Cooking LSL.

20. One-Pot Pantry Pasta With Chickpeas and Peppers

Chickpeas add fiber, protein and minerals to your pasta dish.
  • 279 calories
  • 14 grams of protein

Chickpeas are a great source ofplant-based protein, weighing in at 10 grams per 1/2 cup serving, according to theUSDA. To make this pasta dish even more nutritious, sneak in additional vegetables like mushrooms, broccoli, spinach or onions.

Get theOne-Pot Pantry Pasta With Chickpeas and Peppers recipeand nutrition info at Lexi's Clean Kitchen.

21. Baja Chicken and Pepper Pasta

If you're looking to enjoy a low-carb pasta, consider this veggie-filled recipe.
Image Credit:Tonya Rusanova/Adobe Stock
  • 214 calories
  • 24 grams of protein

Cutting protein and vegetables into the same shape as fettuccine makes it a pasta dish, right? To add even more veggies, consider adding in fresh-cut spiralized noodles like zucchini, carrots or squash. And utilizing low-sodium broth helps to keep the sodium content down.

Get theBaja Chicken and Pepper Pasta recipeand nutrition info here.

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