This Low Calorie Pasta Recipe is just 161 calories per serving, and they are big servings too!
I like to make this skinny pasta recipe with my favorite low calorie pasta brand, but I have supplied protein pasta options below for those who are more concerned with carbs than calories.
Plus there are protein add-ins, meal prep directions, and more below. I love to make this healthy pasta dish many different ways, and I’ll share all of them!
Low Calorie Pasta
What You’ll Find in this Article:
Ingredients for the Lowest Calorie Pasta
You only need 3 ingredients to make this yummy pasta dish! But just incase you want to add more, I have supplied protein boosts, veggie add-ins and more in the section below!
Low Calorie Pasta Ingredients:
- Fiber Gourmet Pasta – this pasta is the lowest calorie pasta I could find, and it’s super yummy too! I have also supplied you with protein pasta below in the Ingredient Swaps!
- Homemade Marinara Sauce – homemade marinara sauce is not just so much yummier than store-bought, but my Homemade Marinara is 1/2 the calories and sugar than store-bought!
- Low Fat Mozzarella or Fat Free – you won’t be able to tell the difference in flavor, but you still get the cheesy topping, yum!
- Parsley – you can choose to use this pretty garnish, or skip it to save money.
Lower Calorie Pasta Ingredient Swaps:
- Protein Pasta – If you are more carb conscience than calorie conscience, Banza Protein Pasta is a better choice for you. It’s made with chickpeas and is packed with plant based protein.
- Add Protein – I like to make my low calorie meatballs or Italian turkey sausage in the homemade marinara sauce (just add in and the sauce does all the cooking!) then I chop them up and add to the pasta dish below to boost protein. You can also add in diced chicken if you have some cooked and ready. It gives this recipe a chicken parm flavor.
- Add Veggies – the sauce is homemade and veggie packed. But you could easily add more veggies! I recommend adding zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes or mushrooms. Just dice them up and add to the pasta with the first cup of marinara sauce. Then bake in the dish for a veggie packed pasta.
- Gluten-Free Swap – use your favorite gluten-free pasta, or Banza Chickpea Protein Pasta.
- Vegan Swap – the pasta and sauce are already vegan, just choose vegan cheese shreds for the topping.
How to Make Low Calorie Pasta
This healthy pasta dish is easy and delicious. You can meal prep the entire pasta casserole, or just individual portions. I like to make a batch, use 2 servings for dinner tonight, and pack up the 2 remaining portions for meal prep dinners. Directions on how to do so are below!
Tools and Equipment:
- 9×9 Baking Dish
- Large Pot
- Pasta Strainer
How to Make Lower Calorie Pasta:
- Cook the pasta according to the directions o the box.
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Drain the pasta and add back to the pot along with 1 cup of marinara sauce.
- Toss the pasta in the marinara sauce until well coated.
- Scoop into a 9×9 baking dish. Top with remaining marinara sauce, and then sprinkle over the cheese.
- Bake for 30 minutes until the cheese is melted.
- Top with chopped parsley.
- Scoop and serve, each serving is 1 cup.
Meal Prep and Leftovers for Lowest Calorie Noodles:
- Individual Portions– Cook the recipe as directed, let cool completely, and cut into 4 portions. Scoop into meal prep containers and cover. Refrigerate for 4-5 days or freeze for 1 month. To reheat, microwave 2 minutes from defrosted, or 4-5 minutes from frozen. Or bake (defrost first) at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
- Family Portion– Assemble the pasta, sauce and cheese as directed, but do not bake. Cool completely, then cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for up to a week or the freezer (I also like to put in a 2 gallon freezer bag to freeze) for a month. Defrost (if needed) and bake according to the directions.
- Leftovers– Scoop into individual meal prep containers, freeze for up to a month or refrigerate for 4-5 days. To reheat, microwave 2 minutes from defrosted, or 4-5 minutes from frozen. Or bake (defrost first) at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
Low Calorie Pasta Recipe
This low calorie pasta recipe is just 161 calories for a big portion! I like to serve this recipe with a crisp salad, but you could easily double the portion and still have a low calorie pasta dish!
More Healthy Pasta Recipes:
Low Calorie Pasta (161 Calories)
Equipment
- 9×9 baking dish
- Large pot
- Pasta strainer
Ingredients
- 1 box Fiber Gourmet Pasta
- 2 cups Homemade Marinara Sauce
- 1 cup low fat mozzarella cheese
- 4 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the directions o the box.
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Drain the pasta and add back to the pot along with 1 cup of marinara sauce.
- Toss the pasta in the marinara sauce until well coated.
- Scoop into a 9×9 baking dish. Top with remaining marinara sauce, and then sprinkle over the cheese.
- Bake for 30 minutes until the cheese is melted.
- Top with chopped parsley.
- Scoop and serve, each serving is 1 cup.
Nutrition
Nutrition and Calories in Low Calorie Pasta
The nutrition and calories below is based off 1 serving (1 cup) of the recipe shown above. I made it with Fiber Gourmet Pasta, and with homemade marinara. If you use a different pasta or store-bought marinara it will change the calories and nutrition below.
Boost Protein: I have supplied you with Protein Boosts above in the Ingredient Section.
Lower Carbs: I have supplied you with a protein pasta option above in the Ingredient Section.
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