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Yep, you can follow a diabetes-appropriate diet and still enjoy a bowl of pasta now and again. These recipes, from pasta skillets to flavor-packed noodle bowls, are lower in saturated fat and sodium, and they focus on incorporating complex carbs, like whole grains, whenever possible. Recipes like our colorful Cabbage Lo Mein and Garlicky Chicken & Spinach Skillet Pasta with Lemon & Parmesan will help you meet your blood glucose and heart health goals with every tasty bite.
01of 25Chicken & Spinach Skillet Pasta with Lemon & ParmesanView RecipeThis one-pan pasta that combines lean chicken breast and sautéed spinach for a one-bowl meal is garlicky, lemony and best served with a little Parm on top. I call it “Mom’s Skillet Pasta” and she called it “Devon’s Favorite Pasta.” Either way it’s a quick and easy weeknight dinner we created together and scribbled on a little recipe card more than a decade ago, and it remains in my weekly dinner rotation to this day. It’s a simple dinner the whole family will love.
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Chicken & Spinach Skillet Pasta with Lemon & Parmesan
View Recipe
This one-pan pasta that combines lean chicken breast and sautéed spinach for a one-bowl meal is garlicky, lemony and best served with a little Parm on top. I call it “Mom’s Skillet Pasta” and she called it “Devon’s Favorite Pasta.” Either way it’s a quick and easy weeknight dinner we created together and scribbled on a little recipe card more than a decade ago, and it remains in my weekly dinner rotation to this day. It’s a simple dinner the whole family will love.
02of 25Linguine with Creamy White Clam SauceView RecipeRipe tomato and fresh basil give this quick recipe tons of flavor. Serve this healthy pasta dinner with crusty garlic bread and steamed green beans.
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Linguine with Creamy White Clam Sauce
Ripe tomato and fresh basil give this quick recipe tons of flavor. Serve this healthy pasta dinner with crusty garlic bread and steamed green beans.
03of 25Cabbage Lo MeinView RecipeJam-packed with a colorful medley of vegetables, this classic noodle dish relies on a bold sesame-soy sauce to tie all the flavors and textures together.
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Cabbage Lo Mein
Jam-packed with a colorful medley of vegetables, this classic noodle dish relies on a bold sesame-soy sauce to tie all the flavors and textures together.
04of 25Fresh Herb Shrimp LinguiniView RecipeHave this fresh shrimp and pasta meal on the table in 30 minutes.
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Fresh Herb Shrimp Linguini
Have this fresh shrimp and pasta meal on the table in 30 minutes.
05of 25Skillet Broccoli-Cheddar Mac & CheeseView RecipeJoy HowardBroccoli—just like pasta—makes a tasty pairing with sharp Cheddar. Here, we’ve combined all three ingredients in a homey casserole that’s baked in a cast-iron skillet. Replacing some of the pasta in the dish with vegetables makes it more nutritious and helps you cut down on carbs.
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Skillet Broccoli-Cheddar Mac & Cheese
Joy Howard
Broccoli—just like pasta—makes a tasty pairing with sharp Cheddar. Here, we’ve combined all three ingredients in a homey casserole that’s baked in a cast-iron skillet. Replacing some of the pasta in the dish with vegetables makes it more nutritious and helps you cut down on carbs.
06of 25Peppery Barbecue-Glazed Shrimp with Vegetables & OrzoView RecipeIn this healthy BBQ shrimp recipe, shrimp are seasoned with a peppery spice blend and served with zucchini, peppers and whole-grain orzo for a delicious and easy dinner that’s ready in just 30 minutes. The shrimp and veggies are cooked in the same skillet, so cleanup is a snap too.
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Peppery Barbecue-Glazed Shrimp with Vegetables & Orzo
In this healthy BBQ shrimp recipe, shrimp are seasoned with a peppery spice blend and served with zucchini, peppers and whole-grain orzo for a delicious and easy dinner that’s ready in just 30 minutes. The shrimp and veggies are cooked in the same skillet, so cleanup is a snap too.
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Lemon Chicken Pasta
08of 25Shrimp ScampiView RecipeShrimp scampi is a favorite dish at many Italian restaurants but our version takes just 20 minutes to prepare, so it’s perfect for a weeknight dinner at home. Large shrimp are cooked with garlic and then served over linguine pasta with a buttery-wine sauce–it’s so good your family may think you ordered takeout!
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Shrimp Scampi
Shrimp scampi is a favorite dish at many Italian restaurants but our version takes just 20 minutes to prepare, so it’s perfect for a weeknight dinner at home. Large shrimp are cooked with garlic and then served over linguine pasta with a buttery-wine sauce–it’s so good your family may think you ordered takeout!
09of 25Lemon-Garlic Chicken Penne with Pesto and SpinachView RecipeFresh pesto brilliantly compliments the lemon and garlic flavors of this juicy chicken dinner.
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Lemon-Garlic Chicken Penne with Pesto and Spinach
Fresh pesto brilliantly compliments the lemon and garlic flavors of this juicy chicken dinner.
10of 25Easy Pea & Spinach CarbonaraView RecipeFresh pasta cooks up faster than dried, making it a must-have for fast weeknight dinners like this luscious yet healthy meal. Eggs are the base of the creamy sauce. They don’t get fully cooked, so use pasteurized-in-the-shell eggs if you prefer.
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Easy Pea & Spinach Carbonara
Fresh pasta cooks up faster than dried, making it a must-have for fast weeknight dinners like this luscious yet healthy meal. Eggs are the base of the creamy sauce. They don’t get fully cooked, so use pasteurized-in-the-shell eggs if you prefer.
11of 25Vegan Pad Thai with TofuView RecipeYou won’t miss the scrambled eggs and fish sauce in this vegan version of the Thai favorite because the flavorful sauce hits just the right balance of sweet, spicy and umami.
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Vegan Pad Thai with Tofu
You won’t miss the scrambled eggs and fish sauce in this vegan version of the Thai favorite because the flavorful sauce hits just the right balance of sweet, spicy and umami.
12of 25Sesame-Garlic Beef & Broccoli with Whole-Wheat NoodlesView RecipeA savory marinade with garlic, ginger, soy sauce and sesame oil infuses flavor into sirloin steak pieces in this healthy beef and broccoli stir-fry recipe. Tip: Partially freeze the beef for easier slicing.
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Sesame-Garlic Beef & Broccoli with Whole-Wheat Noodles
A savory marinade with garlic, ginger, soy sauce and sesame oil infuses flavor into sirloin steak pieces in this healthy beef and broccoli stir-fry recipe. Tip: Partially freeze the beef for easier slicing.
13of 25Vegan Cauliflower Fettuccine Alfredo with KaleView RecipeIn this date-night-worthy vegan fettuccine Alfredo recipe, cooked cauliflower transforms into a rich, luscious sauce when it’s blended with softened cashews. A high-speed blender will give you the creamiest results. Opt for whole-wheat fettuccine to add fiber to this vegan pasta recipe.
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Vegan Cauliflower Fettuccine Alfredo with Kale
In this date-night-worthy vegan fettuccine Alfredo recipe, cooked cauliflower transforms into a rich, luscious sauce when it’s blended with softened cashews. A high-speed blender will give you the creamiest results. Opt for whole-wheat fettuccine to add fiber to this vegan pasta recipe.
14of 25Kale, Sausage & Pepper PastaView RecipeThis entire healthy pasta recipe cooks in one skillet, so there’s only one pot to clean! Try it with any greens you have in the fridge, such as chard or spinach.
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Kale, Sausage & Pepper Pasta
This entire healthy pasta recipe cooks in one skillet, so there’s only one pot to clean! Try it with any greens you have in the fridge, such as chard or spinach.
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Creamy Chicken, Brussels Sprouts & Mushrooms One-Pot Pasta
16of 25Lemon Shrimp & Orzo SaladView RecipeConsider making a double batch of this easy pasta salad–it’s delicious the next day. The orzo will absorb the dressing as it sits, so add a little more olive oil and lemon juice if you’d like.
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Lemon Shrimp & Orzo Salad
Consider making a double batch of this easy pasta salad–it’s delicious the next day. The orzo will absorb the dressing as it sits, so add a little more olive oil and lemon juice if you’d like.
17of 25Italian-Style Turkey & Penne SkilletView RecipeThis delicious one-skillet pasta meal-for-two is ready in just 35 minutes! Turkey–seasoned with a spicy Italian-seasoning blend–is served with tomato sauce and wilted spinach over multi-grain pasta.
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Italian-Style Turkey & Penne Skillet
This delicious one-skillet pasta meal-for-two is ready in just 35 minutes! Turkey–seasoned with a spicy Italian-seasoning blend–is served with tomato sauce and wilted spinach over multi-grain pasta.
18of 25Lemon-Garlic Pasta with SalmonView RecipeWondering what to do with leftover salmon? This is a delicious and easy way to turn it into another weeknight-friendly, quick dinner. Don’t forget to reserve some pasta water–its starch thickens the lemon-garlic pasta sauce and makes it silky-smooth.
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Lemon-Garlic Pasta with Salmon
Wondering what to do with leftover salmon? This is a delicious and easy way to turn it into another weeknight-friendly, quick dinner. Don’t forget to reserve some pasta water–its starch thickens the lemon-garlic pasta sauce and makes it silky-smooth.
19of 25Creamy One-Pot Orecchiette with Sausage & PeasView RecipePhotographer / Brie Passano, Food Stylist / Annie ProbstThis easy one-pot pasta recipe earns the title “creamy” thanks to the addition of sour cream and Parmesan, which combine to create a savory cheese sauce that clings to the orecchiette, peas and sausage. The best part about this recipe is that it only requires one vessel to cook everything—pasta included. By using the exact amount of liquid you need to cook the pasta, the starch that usually gets drained off with your pasta water stays in the pot, adding even more creaminess. If you like spicy but not too spicy, use a mix of sweet and hot Italian sausages.
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Creamy One-Pot Orecchiette with Sausage & Peas
Photographer / Brie Passano, Food Stylist / Annie Probst
This easy one-pot pasta recipe earns the title “creamy” thanks to the addition of sour cream and Parmesan, which combine to create a savory cheese sauce that clings to the orecchiette, peas and sausage. The best part about this recipe is that it only requires one vessel to cook everything—pasta included. By using the exact amount of liquid you need to cook the pasta, the starch that usually gets drained off with your pasta water stays in the pot, adding even more creaminess. If you like spicy but not too spicy, use a mix of sweet and hot Italian sausages.
20of 25Farfalle with Tuna, Lemon, and FennelView RecipeThis warm, flaked tuna and lemon pasta recipe is ready in 30 minutes.
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Farfalle with Tuna, Lemon, and Fennel
This warm, flaked tuna and lemon pasta recipe is ready in 30 minutes.
21of 25Fusilli with Green Sauce & Burst Cherry TomatoesView RecipePhotographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Martgaret Dickey Prop Stylist: Kay ClarkeThis vegetarian dinner is packed with flavor, thanks to a lemon-herb shallot sauce. The herbaceous green sauce uses plenty of fresh herbs, including cilantro, dill and parsley. Use any leftover sauce as a dressing for grain bowls and salads.
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Fusilli with Green Sauce & Burst Cherry Tomatoes
Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Martgaret Dickey Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke
This vegetarian dinner is packed with flavor, thanks to a lemon-herb shallot sauce. The herbaceous green sauce uses plenty of fresh herbs, including cilantro, dill and parsley. Use any leftover sauce as a dressing for grain bowls and salads.
22of 25Baked Cavatelli CasseroleView RecipeThis easy to make, comforting dish will keep you warm on a cold day.
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Baked Cavatelli Casserole
This easy to make, comforting dish will keep you warm on a cold day.
23of 25Slow-Cooker Vegetable LasagnaView RecipeThis vegetarian lasagna couldn’t be easier, thanks to jarred pasta sauce and no-boil lasagna noodles. Prep it in the morning and let your crock pot do the work.
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Slow-Cooker Vegetable Lasagna
This vegetarian lasagna couldn’t be easier, thanks to jarred pasta sauce and no-boil lasagna noodles. Prep it in the morning and let your crock pot do the work.
24of 25Cheesy Chipotle-Cauliflower MacView RecipeYou’ll barely notice the cauliflower in this comforting skillet pasta–it’s pureed and mixed into the creamy cheese sauce.
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Cheesy Chipotle-Cauliflower Mac
You’ll barely notice the cauliflower in this comforting skillet pasta–it’s pureed and mixed into the creamy cheese sauce.
25of 25Shrimp and Avocado-Cream PastaView RecipeThis recipe has a tasty secret: the creamy sauce is made with nutritious avocado! Mix it together with multigrain pasta for a healthy dinner option.
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Shrimp and Avocado-Cream Pasta
This recipe has a tasty secret: the creamy sauce is made with nutritious avocado! Mix it together with multigrain pasta for a healthy dinner option.
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