18 Healthy Pasta Dinners to Satisfy Your Craving

When you’re looking for a healthy weeknight dinner it goes without saying that you need something satisfying—that’s ready fast. Pasta fits the bill, except that it can sometimes be loaded up with fat-ladened sauces or excessive amounts of cheese, making it a no-go for certain diets and wellness plans. That’s where these delicious recipes come in. They’re full of smart swaps to cut back on the things you don’t want—and every bit as filling as traditional versions. Just take this spaghetti and meatballs, for example. Some of the ground beef is replaced with Portobello mushrooms and egg whites to help cut fat, without sacrificing flavor. Serve with whole-wheat spaghetti for a hearty, wholesome meal that everyone will enjoy.

Adding crushed multi-grain croutons brings an unexpected crunch to this lemony shrimp scampi.

The meatballs are the star of this comforting, high-fiber dish. Make them on their own and serve as a mini appetizer or add them to your favorite pasta recipe. For moister, more flavorful meatballs, be sure to use ground turkey, not ground turkey breast.

Medium-size shrimp are the perfect size for a twirl of spaghetti shot through with ribbons of squash. Have vegetarians at the table? Omit the shrimp, double the tomatoes and serve with a spoonful of part-skim ricotta cheese on top.