18 Healthy Pasta Recipes Packed With Protein

A nutritious dinner can be made of pasta as long as you are pairing it with some protein-supplemented foods and some vegetables as well. The majority of these high-protein pasta recipes are quick skillet recipes, creamy pasta sauces, baked pasta, and plant-based pasta. You can make them for hectic weeknights, family dinners, or Meal Prep. Simple ingredients, easy cooking instructions, and the estimated amount of protein per serving are listed for these high protein pasta recipes.

The amount of protein varies by the amount of portion size, brand, and ingredients. Aim for the quantities, not the nutrient values.

High Protein Pasta Recipes to Try at Home

The concepts feature common ingredients and simple preparation techniques. Most serve 2-4 people and times are approximate.

1. Chicken and Broccoli Pasta

Prep & cook time: 25-30 minutes | Protein per serving: 35- 45 g

Instructions: Cook 8 oz whole-wheat pasta, 2 cooked chicken breasts, 2 cups broccoli, 2 garlic cloves; add olive oil, Parmesan, and black pepper.

Follow the instructions on the pasta package. Cook the broccoli in the steamer until tender. Add the sliced chicken, broccoli, spaghetti, and Parmesan after cooking the garlic in the olive oil. Add a bit of pasta water and toss.

2. Creamy Cottage Cheese Pasta

20-30 g of protein within 20 min.

8 oz. Pasta, 1 cup cottage cheese, ¼ c. parmesan, 1 clove of garlic, black pepper to taste.

To make a smooth mixture from cottage cheese, parmesan, garlic, and pasta water, mix them. Gently reheat the sauce. Add the pasta (drained and mixed with) and stir. The sauce’s texture might change if it boils.

3. Tuna and Tomato Pasta

This recipe is ready to prepare and cook in 20 minutes and serves 25-35 g of protein per serving.

Pasta, 2 cans of tuna (drained), 1 cup of crushed tomatoes, 2 garlic cloves, olive oil, and dried oregano.

Boil pasta. Add oregano and cook until the garlic is done, then add tomatoes and cook for 8-10 minutes. Stir in tuna and cooked pasta. Bake until hot; add seasoning.

4. Lentil Bolognese

The recipe yields 3 to 4 servings and takes 35 minutes to prepare and cook.

Serves 4 People: 8 oz pasta, one and a half cups cooked lentils, one can of crushed tomatoes, one onion, one carrot, and half a teaspoon Italian spice.

Cook chopped onion and carrot until both are tender, 5–7 minutes. Add the lentils, tomatoes, and seasonings. Simmer for 15–20 minutes. Serve on top of cooked spaghetti.

5. Garlic Shrimp Pasta

It takes 20 minutes to prepare and cook and has 25–35 g of protein per serving.

There are 8 oz of linguine, 12 oz of peeled shrimp, and 3 cloves of garlic. There is 1 tablespoon of olive oil, lemon juice, and parsley.

Directions: Boil the pasta. Fry the garlic and add in the shrimp and fry until opaque and firm. Add pasta, lemon juice, parsley, and a bit of pasta water to toss together.

6. Turkey and Spinach Pasta

This recipe can be assembled and cooked in 30 minutes and provides 30- 40 g of protein per serving.

One cup of marinara sauce, two cups of spinach, eight ounces of pasta, twelve ounces of lean minced turkey, and Italian spice.

Brown the turkey in a frying pan. Add marinara and season, and cook until hot, 165°F (74°C). Add the spinach to the bottom, cover using the lid, and simmer until it wilts. mix with cooked pasta.

A pasta made with coconut and peanuts.Pasta with coconut & peanuts.

7. Chickpea and Spinach Pasta

Every dish provides 17-23 g of protein. Preparation and cooking time: 25 minutes.

Pasta, 1 can chickpeas (rinsed & drained in water), spinach, 2 cloves of garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice.

Sauté garlic til soft, add chickpeas and cook for 4-5 minutes. Add spinach and cook until wilted. Now add cooked pasta, lemon juice, and some of the pasta water.

8. Chicken Pesto Pasta

Total time: 25 minutes, protein per serving: 30-40g

8oz pasta, two cooked chicken breasts, three tablespoons of pesto, cherry tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese are the toppings.

Cook and drain pasta. When tossing, add sliced chicken, pesto, and sliced tomatoes. Add pasta water to loosen the sauce; then top with Parmesan.

9. Salmon and Lemon Pasta

Serving size: 1 – 2 servings daily.

8oz pasta, 12oz salmon, 2 cups of spinach, black pepper, olive oil, and 1 lemon.

Bake at 400°F (200°C) until the salmon is safe to eat, about 12-15 minutes or until it has a safe internal temperature. Add to cooked pasta, spinach, lemon juice, and olive oil; flake and toss.

10. Black Bean Taco Pasta

Serving size: 1 serving, serves 1-2 people.Prep and cook time: 25 minutes, serves 1-2.

8 oz pasta, 1 can black beans, 1 cup of salsa, ½ cup of grated cheddar, and taco seasoning.

Cook pasta, then drain. In a skillet, heat black beans, salsa, and seasoning. Add pasta and add cheese; stir until melted. Serve garnished with chopped coriander, if you like.

11. Beef and Tomato Pasta

Preparation and cooking time: 30 minutes, protein per serving: 25- 35 g.

8 ounces pasta, 12 ounces lean ground beef, 1 ½ cups tomato sauce, 1 onion, and Italian seasoning.

Chop the onion and brown the beef. Cook the ground beef to 160°F (71°C). Season and add tomato and simmer for 10 minutes. Serve pasta with the cooked mixture.

12. Tofu and Vegetable Pasta

Serving Size: 400 g. Serves 2 servings; Carbohydrate 28g; Fat 16g; Protein 18- 25 g per serving; Calories 230 per serving.

Pasta, 12 oz Firm Tofu, 2 cups Mixed Vegetables, Soy Sauce, Garlic.

Squeeze and cube the tofu. Add garlic and vegetables and pan-fry until they are golden. Combine cooked pasta and a little soy sauce.

13. Egg and Parmesan Pasta

The preparation and cooking time is 20 minutes; the protein per serving is 18-25 g.

Preparation: 8 ounces pasta, 3 eggs, ½ cup Parmesan, garlic, and black pepper.

Cook the pasta and reserve some cooking water. Crack the eggs and beat with Parmesan. Turn off the heat, and toss the hot pasta with the egg mixture and a splash of pasta water. Blanch and stir until a creamy coating is formed.

14. Chicken Alfredo With Greek Yogurt

This recipe yields 30- 40 g of protein per serving and takes 25 minutes to prepare and cook.

8oz pasta, 2 cooked chicken breasts, ¾ cup plain Greek yoghurt, ¼ cup Parmesan, and garlic.

Combine yogurt, Parmesan, garlic, and warm pasta water. Throw in the cooked chicken and pasta that has been drained. Stir over low heat, but do not bring to a boil.

15. Edamame and Sesame Noodles

This recipe takes 20 minutes to prep and cook, and provides 18-25 g of protein per serving.

8 oz noodles, 1 1⁄2 cups shelled edamame, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and spring onions.

Follow package directions for cooking noodles and edamame. Add the soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic. Mix together all the ingredients and top with spring onions.

16. Baked Spinach and Ricotta Pasta

Prepare and cook: 40 minutes per serving; protein: 20-28 g per serving.

8 oz pasta, 1 cup ricotta, 2 cups spinach, 1½ cups marinara, ½ cup mozzarella.

The pasta should only be cooked to firmness. Combine with ricotta, spinach, and marinara. Place mozzarella on and bake at 375F (190C) until hot and bubbling, 20-25 minutes.

17. White Bean and Tomato Pasta

Serves 20-30 and has 17- 23 g of protein per serve.Serving size: 20-30 and offers 17- 23 g of protein per serving.

Requirements: 8 oz Pasta, 1 can of white beans, 1½ cups of chopped tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and basil.

Cook in olive oil. Add tomatoes and cook for 10 minutes. Add drained beans and cooked pasta. Sprinkle with fresh basil.

18. High-Protein Pasta with Peas and Parmesan.

Serves 4, 200 calories per serving

8 oz chickpea pasta, 1½ cups peas, ½ cup parmesan, 2 cloves of garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil.

Cook chickpea pasta as per the instructions. Add peas for the last 5-6 minutes. Sauté garlic in olive oil, add pasta, parmesan, lemon juice, and pasta water.

Tips for Making Pasta Dinners More Protein-Rich

Serve pasta that is made from chickpeas or lentils, or add chicken, fish, tofu, beans, or cottage cheese to pasta. Add some veggies for additional variety and fiber. Note that the amount of protein in pasta can differ from one brand to another.

To create these healthy high protein pasta recipes, be careful not to use cheese or cream as the sole protein or sauce, but instead balance the pasta dish with the sauce, protein source, and vegetables. There are also additional portions available which may be prepared for lunch the next day. Cool foods quickly, reheat thoroughly.

Try out various flavors and ingredients in these protein-packed pasta dinners, and choose the recipe that’s right for you and your time.