28 Days of Lighter Pasta Recipes to Make in February (2024)

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Happy February! We’re excited to bring you the second installment to our new 31 Days Series (you can check out the first onehere), though since February is a shorter month, we’ve got 28 fab recipes instead of 31.

Cupid has us feeling a bit mushy, so thismonth is devoted entirely to one of our greatest loves —pasta. Our carb-loving hearts melt into complete submission over the sight of plump pillows of gnocchi and silky ribbonsof tagliatelle — we just can’t help ourselves.Sure we’vebroken up a few times(our diets were concerned we were cheating), butlike Carrie and Mr. Big, we always come crawling back to one another.

It’s a lifelong love affair, folks. Pasta, we just can’t quit you.

Pasta doesn’t have to equate to cheating. Pasta doesn’t have to be our thighs’ biggest threat, or our ideal weight number’s nemesis. Having a healthy bowl of noodles is not attempting the impossible, rather it’s about striking a balance and making smart swaps, like using whole wheat noodles and skim or almond milk and keep the cheese to sprinkles. Pile on those veggies, get creative with your sauce,and maybe don’t eat it several times a week. Moderation, baby, remember?

So here’s how you get started.

First,download this free printable weekly meal planner/to-do listto fill in, tape to the fridge, take to the grocery store, or use for reference next year when you can’t remember what the heck were your faverecipes from this one.

And then sign up foryour free weekly meal plan and prep list here.

But enough already, let’s cut to the pasta chase…

February1:Healthy Mushroom Bolognese with Tagliatelle & Buffalo Mozzarella

fromBroma Bakery

Mushrooms are meat’s understudyhere, we promise we’re none the wiser (it’s super hearty and filling).

February 2:Skinny One Pot Chicken Bacon Fettuccine Alfredo

from Cafe Delites

No heavy cream, no butter, no flour, no problem!This perfectly dreamy pasta is just as satisfying as the original Alfredo, but with a quarter of the calories. The fact that it’s also a one-pot meal is just the icing on the cake.

February 3: Vegetarian Zucchini Lasagna Spirals

from A Saucy Kitchen

This low-carb spin on lasagna is proof that gluten and grain-free dishes aren’t all boring.No flavor sacrificed here!

February 4: Creamy Basil Pesto Chicken Tetrazzini

from Whole and Heavenly Oven

This pasta bake isloaded with flavor, not calories.

February 5: Linguini and Zucchini Noodles with Shrimp

from FoodieCrush

Whole wheat linguini + fresh zucchini + lemony, garlicky shrimp = the perfect light and healthy noodle dish.

February 6:Whole Grain Pasta with Broccoli and Chicken Sausage

fromFork Knife Swoon

Whole grain pasta, lean chicken sausage, and leafy broccoli are the stars of this light pasta that we totally wouldn’tfeel guilty having seconds of.

February 7: Vegan Red Pepper Pasta

from Lazy Cat Kitchen

We’re not vegan, but this veggie-packed, Mediterranean-inspired pasta dish could probably convert us.

February 8: Creamy Pasta with Chicken and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

fromGimme Some Oven

You’d never know this creamy pasta was made with almond milk instead of cream. It also features whole wheat noodles and is loaded with zesty flavor.

February 9: Healthy Mushroom Alfredo Pasta Bake

fromPinch of Yum

Pan-roasted morsels of mushrooms, whole wheat penne, and a creamy cauliflower alfredo sauce, all baked under a golden sheath of Gruyere cheese — excuse us while we wipe the drool from our mouths. Oh yeah, cauliflower does it again!

February 10: Chicken-Broccoli Shells and Cheese

from Diethood

You don’t have to avoid mac and cheese like it’s the plague, just to stay healthy. This version has a lightened-up cheese sauce and is studded with lean chicken and healthy broccoli, andit’s’ ready in just 30 minutes.

February 11:Easy Chow Mein with Spiralized Zucchini

from Chelsea’s Messy Apron

This familiar takeout favorite gets a healthy makeover. Stir-fry noodles and spiralized zucchini co-mingle with tons of fresh veggies, in a light and zesty sauce. Bonus? It’s surprisingly filling for being a vegetarian dish, and it’s ready in just 20 minutes!

February 12: Caprese Chicken Pasta

from Well Plated

This pasta takes like summer in February. Need we really say more?

February 13:Chicken Stir Fry with Rice Noodles

from Natasha’s Kitchen

This flavorful stir-fry is full of veggies and made healthier with rice noodles, AND it can be on your table in 30 minutes. What’s not to love?

February 14:Easy Skinny Skillet Lasagna

from Life Made Sweeter

All of the flavor of lasagna, but in oneskillet, in just 30 minutes, sans the guilt. What’s not to love?

February 15: One-Pot Skinny Pasta Primavera

fromFoodieCrush

Spring is on the cusp with this vibrant, one-pot pasta, whichis a supertasty way to get in ahealthy dose of those daily veggies!

February 16:Chimichurri Avocado Pasta with Pan Seared Shrimp

from Joyful Healthy Eats

Loaded with protein, fiber, and a whole lotta flavor, this pasta gives us heart eyes.

February 17: Bacon, Brussels Sprouts Butternut Squash Pasta

from Recipe Runner

Roasted veggies, smoky bacon, whole grain pasta, and parmesan cheese — now this is our favorite kind of winter comfort food!

February 18: Spicy Sausage, Spinach, and Mushroom Gnocchi

from Table for Two

A healthy dinner in just 15 minutes, WITH gnocchi? You don’t have to twist our arms…

February 19:Creamy Spinach Artichoke Hummus Pasta

from Fooduzzi

This brilliant dish (which totally reminds us of one of our favorite dips of all time) has us questioning why we never thought to mix hummus into our pasta before.

February 20:Peanut Noodles with Chicken

from FoodieCrush

Packed with colorful, crunchy veggies and a garlicky-peanut butter dressing that will knock your socks off, pasta takes a backseat in this recipe (and that’s totally okay).

February 21: Healthy Beef Lasagna with Spinach and Basil

from Healthy Seasonal Recipes

You wouldn’t think you the words “healthy” and “lasagna” could exist in the same sentence, but this recipe proves otherwise. With gluten-free (or whole wheat) noodles, a mixture of grass-fed beef,mushrooms, and spinach,and lower-fatcheese, this recipe sounds healthy (because it is), but still tastes like the rich, indulgent lasagna we all know and love.

February 22: Skillet Chicken Fajita Whole Wheat Pasta

from Cook Nourish Bliss

Taking one of our favorite things to eat and turning it into a pasta dish is pretty much the greatest thing ever. Healthy fajita pasta for the win!

February 23: Cauliflower Bolognese

from Two Peas and Their Pod

We just couldn’t resist another healthy bolognese recipe!You would never know this one was meat-free and made with cauliflower and lentils.

February 24: One-Pot Whole Wheat Pasta with Chicken & Spinach

from Cookin’ Canuck

Healthy, hearty, and super flavorful, this dish is a one-pot pasta home run.

February 25: Roasted Vegetable Macaroni and Cheese

from Gimme Some Oven

This is the responsible, grown-up answer to mac and cheese, and with all of these colorful veggies, and a lighter sauce that’s still creamy and cheesy, we’re in love.

February 26: Easy Coconut Curry Stir Fry Noodles with Glazed Tofu

from Healthy Nibbles and Bits

This30-minute dishboasts protein-packed tofu, colorful veggies, gluten-free rice noodles, and a dreamy coconut stir-fry sauce.

February 27: Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta with Roasted Vegetables

from Cookie and Kate

Zesty sun-dried tomatoes and almondsarea welcomereprieve from traditional pesto, and help make this whole grain pasta dish extra hearty. Throw in some balsamic-roasted veggies and you’ve reached vegetarian nirvana.

February 28: Soba Noodles with Sriracha Meatballs

from FoodieCrush

This bowl has a lot of good stuff going on. Buckwheat noodles are loaded with protein and fiber, the Sriracha meatballs are made easy in the slow cooker (and pack quite the flavor punch), and fresh herbs and cool, crispy veggies round it all out. End the month with a bang, eh?

This recipe round-up was curated and written by FoodieCrush contributor Hayley Putnam. Follow her foodie tastes and other flights of fancyonPinterestandInstagram.

Thanks for stopping by and visiting FoodieCrush. Have something to say? I’d love to hear from you. Let me know in the comments below.

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28 Days of Lighter Pasta Recipes to Make in February (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest way to eat pasta? ›

It is recommended to cook pasta al dente (slightly firm and chewy). As well as stopping the pasta from becoming overcooked and mushy, al dente pasta is healthier because it has a lower GI.

How far in advance can I make fresh pasta? ›

Homemade pasta, however, can only be stored for around 24 hours in the refrigerator (although it's recommended to eat it within 18 hours).

Can pasta be prepared in advance? ›

You can prepare pasta up to 24 hours in advance. To do so, follow these instructions: Cook it for half the time recommended in the package instructions. Then, drain the pasta and spread it out on a cooking sheet and allow it to cool.

How to make pasta ahead for a crowd? ›

Pasta can be par-boiled until “al-dente”. Then, drain it, coat in a little olive oil, and seal it in zip-lock bags (restaurants do this in portions). It can stay in the fridge for a couple of days. You can save a little pasta water separately if you'll need it for when you make your sauce.

Can I eat pasta and still lose weight? ›

Dietitians and other health care professionals should consider pasta as a low-glycemic carbohydrate option within the context of a healthy diet or a weight loss/weight maintenance diet.

Can I eat pasta everyday and be healthy? ›

It is possible to eat pasta daily and still be healthy. The key to eating pasta every day is to limit your portion size and supplement your pasta bowl with essential nutrients. The recommended portion size is two ounces of dry pasta or one cup of cooked pasta.

What is the best flour for homemade pasta? ›

Semolina flour is good for pasta because it's a hard variety of wheat and has a high protein content. Both of these properties give more structure to pasta which provides that elusive 'al dente' quality to fresh pastas.

How many eggs for 1 cup of flour for pasta? ›

One large-size egg weighs about 2 ounces; one cup of flour weighs about 5 ounces. Use one large-size egg for each full serving you want to make, to that add 1 ½ the egg's weight in flour. (You can do this with a simple kitchen scale.) If you don't have a scale, use 2 eggs per 1 cup of flour to make 1 serving.

What flour to use for pasta? ›

Pasta dough also needs some plasticity for it to be moulded into all of those wonderful shapes. All-purpose flour does what it says on the tin, so it's perfectly fine to use for making pasta. However, most pasta recipes will recommend either semola or “00” flour.

How to cook pasta ahead of time and reheat? ›

Yes. You can cook the pasta all the way through, then shock it with ice water and let it drain, then put it in boiling water for 30 seconds when you want to reheat it. You can also cook it all the way through, drain it, and add oil to it to keep it soft so it can be reheated without having to boil it again.

Can you put pasta straight in the fridge after cooking? ›

Allow cooked pasta to cool slightly. It can then be stored in airtight containers (from $5, The Container Store) in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. Again, store pasta and sauce separately, if possible. To reheat, drop the pasta in boiling water for just a few seconds; drain.

How much pasta for 20 people? ›

If you're having pasta as your main meal, we'd suggest the following quantities: 100g of dried pasta per person. 120g of fresh pasta per person.

How do you cook pasta for a crowd and keep it warm? ›

The chafing dish method is probably not a realistic option for a small dinner party, but if you are cooking for a lot of people, a chafing dish is an ideal way to keep spaghetti noodles warm. Chafing dishes will also allow you to keep the sauce, meatballs, and other hot dishes warm throughout an event.

What's the best way to make pasta ahead of time? ›

Drizzle the pasta with a little bit of olive oil, 1 to 2 teaspoons of oil per pound of pasta. Toss to coat and spread the pasta in a single layer on a sheet pan to cool. Once completely cooled, put the pasta in an airtight container or ziplock bag for storage in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

How do restaurants pre-cook pasta? ›

98% of restaurants use dried pasta they then parboil it and store it ether in bundles wrapped in plastic for the day or out on baking sheets in a rack sometimes covered sometimes not. when ready to cook then drop it for a minute in boiling water then sauce it.

What to add to pasta to make it healthier? ›

Try this today: You can easily give almost any pasta dish an easy upgrade by piling on the nutrient-dense ingredients, like veggies. I like making macaroni and cheese and mixing in chickpeas, broccoli, zucchini, and Brussels sprouts to make it a healthy, high fiber meal!

Is it healthier to rinse pasta? ›

No, in almost every case, you should not rinse pasta after it's cooked. It's true that rinsing noodles or pasta after cooking halts the cooking process. “This is also known as shocking,” Tiess says. But rinsing also removes the starch water after the noodles are strained, which is what helps adhere sauce to noodles.

Which pasta sauce is the healthiest? ›

If you are buying a jarred or canned sauce, choose a tomato-based (marinara) sauce rather than a creamy sauce. Creamy sauces usually have more saturated fat and calories. Eating too much saturated fat has been linked to heart disease. Tomato-based sauces also contain more nutrients like vitamin A and lycopene.

Are egg noodles healthier than pasta? ›

Are Egg Noodles Healthy? Egg noodles can give you extra nutrients that regular pasta won't, though they also lack in some areas compared to pasta. Still, you don't have to choose only one. Add both to your pantry for a well-rounded diet and supplement each with vegetables, proteins, and other sources of nutrients.

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