Low Calorie Rigatoni with Pesto {15 Minute Recipe}

This low calorie rigatoni pasta recipe with pesto is only 377 calories and can be made in just 15 minutes.

Plus, you can make this pesto pasta recipe vegan (by swapping the parmesan cheese for nutritional yeast) or gluten-free (by purchasing gluten-free rigatoni pasta).

This 15 minute recipe makes great, quick weeknight meals. And the sauce comes together just as fast as you can cook pasta. So you’re done fast and can get dinner on the table in a hurry.

I like to make the pesto while the rigatoni boils, and you can also make it ahead of time. Or check out my list for healthy store-bought pesto sauces below.

This rigatoni pasta recipe with pesto is only 377 calories and can be made in just 15 minutes…

Low Calorie Rigatoni with Pesto

Ingredients in Healthy Pesto Rigatoni

It’s easy to make gluten free rigatoni recipes, and vegan rigatoni recipes… These low calorie tips will supply you with modifications for both, as well as some healthy tips to keep this rigatoni pasta recipe low in calories.

Low Calorie Tips for Making The Best Rigatoni Recipes:

• Make it Vegan… skip the parmesan cheese in the pesto sauce, and use nutritional yeast instead. It’s low calorie and tastes just like parmesan cheese. While you have it out to make pesto with, sprinkle some atop each serving of rigatoni pesto pasta too!
• Mix your Own Pesto Sauce… when you make your own pesto sauce, you can control how much oil and cheese goes into the recipe. Check out this low calorie pesto sauce recipe, it’s just 26 calories!
• Make it Gluten-Free… It’s so easy to make this recipe gluten-free! Simply pick up some gluten free rigatoni, or whatever your favorite gluten-free pasta shape might be.

You can make this recipe for rigatoni with chicken, make it vegan, or gluten-free even!

Be sure to see the tips above to make this pesto pasta recipe vegan and gluten-free, and below on how to make rigatoni chicken recipes.

Shopping List for Pesto Rigatoni Recipe:

Rigatoni with Pesto Sauce:

• Rigatoni Pasta
• Low Calorie Pesto Sauce

Optional Add-ins for Pesto Pasta Recipes:

• Cooked and shredded chicken
• Basil
• Nutritional yeast
• Mozzarella
• Parmesan cheese

How to Make Healthy Pesto Rigatoni Recipes

I firmly believe that making your own pesto is the way to go… it saves calories and ensures that you are not adding extra fat or preservatives to your diet.

But I also understand that for many of you, the idea if making your own pesto sauce is too daunting. So here are my favorite store-bought pesto sauces. Please note, the calories may be higher, but at least all you have to do is open a jar.

Best Healthy Store-Bought Pesto Sauces:

• Mantova Vegan Basil Pesto
• Amore Pesto Paste
• Freak Flag Organics Kale Pesto

How To Make Pesto Recipes with Rigatoni Pasta:

1. Cook the pasta according to the directions on the box.
2. Meanwhile, make the pesto (see link above for directions). If using store-bought, skip this step.
3. Drain the pasta and return to the pot. Add 1/2 cup of pesto to the pot and toss together until coated.
4. Add in any additional ingredients (chicken, basil, nutrition years, cheese) and the remaining homemade pesto sauce.
5. Toss together again, and serve hot.

Low Calorie Rigatoni with Pesto Recipe

This rigatoni pasta recipe with pesto is easy and yummy… and as you saw above, it can be made gluten-free, vegan, or even with chicken.

The 15 minute recipe for rigatoni pesto pasta might quickly become your new favorite weeknight dinner. And thanks to the links above for healthy store-bought pesto sauces, you can skip a full step (making the pesto) on the most hectic weeknights. Here are a few more recipes I think you’ll love.

Nutrition and Calories in Rigatoni with Pesto Sauce

Thanks to my low calorie pesto recipe, I was able to cut 100’s of calories and lots of fat from this pesto pasta recipe.

But just in case you don’t want to make your own pesto sauce, make sure to check out the 3 healthy pesto sauces in the “How To” section above.

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Article History:

• Originally written and published July 28, 2021 by Audrey Johns
• Updated April 18, 2023 by Audrey Johns