The best easy and healthy high-protein pasta recipes! From beef, chicken, shrimp, and vegetarian, all are packed with protein to help fill you up and reach your goals. You’ll be sure to find one you love!
I feel like you can never go wrong with pasta. It’s fairly easy to make (depending on the recipe), comes together quickly, and the combination of ingredients and flavors is endless. It’s a win in my book.
The thing is, sometimes pasta recipes can be a little heavy on carbs. Of course, we love carbs around here, but we also want to make sure we are getting a good balance of protein and fat with them to fill us up and feel our best! Check out our balanced plate guide if you need more guidance on building balanced meals!
So we are rounding up 22 high-protein pasta recipes to help inspire you. Broken down by protein options, dietary preferences, and different kinds, you are sure to find one you love!
Why we love high-protein pasta recipes
- high protein meals mean they will keep you full longer, help balance your blood sugar, help build and repair muscles, and more!
- they make a complete and macro-balanced meal – these recipes are packed with protein, vegetables, carbs, and healthy fats, making them a healthy well-balanced meal.
- customizable – swap out an ingredient or two depending on what you have on hand or what you like.
Is pasta high in protein?
While pasta isn’t necessarily a high-protein food, it does have protein in it. A standard serving (2 ounces dry/4 ounces cooked) of whole wheat pasta will give you 7 grams of protein. If looking to increase your protein, try a higher-protein pasta made from beans or legumes. Lentil and chickpea pasta can have 13-15 grams of protein per serving.
How to add protein to pasta
One of the great things about pasta is that it’s pretty neutral in taste and so many things can go with it. Here are some of my favorite proteins to add to pasta:
- chicken – chicken breasts or thighs, ground chicken, or shredded chicken
- ground turkey
- beef – ground beef, ground sirloin, ground bison, steak, or shredded beef
- sausage – pork, turkey, or chicken sausage
- seafood – shrimp, salmon, tuna…
- tofu
- tempeh
- beans and legumes – kidney beans, chickpeas, black beans, white beans, etc.
- edamame
- greek yogurt and cottage cheese – mixed into a sauce or as your pasta sauce!
High-protein chicken pasta recipes
Chicken parmesan pasta skillet is the ultimate comfort food, made healthy. Ready in 25 minutes and made from just 7 simple ingredients. Packed with protein, carbs, and healthy fats for the perfect easy dinner recipe.
Sun-dried tomato chicken pasta packed with protein, veggies, and sun-dried tomatoes and tossed with a delicious creamy sun-dried tomato pasta sauce without any cream or dairy! Ready in about 30 minutes with 40 grams of protein!
Tahini pasta made with chicken and fresh veggies and tossed with a simple lemon tahini sauce. It’s ready in 25 minutes, is light, yet comforting, and is full of flavor. Serve it for an easy well-balanced meal with protein, carbs, and healthy fats.
Goat cheese pasta made with chicken, tons of fresh vegetables like kale, broccoli, bell pepper, and cherry tomatoes, and a simple creamy goat cheese sauce. A light yet comforting dish packed with protein, carbs, and healthy fats for a well-balanced meal.
Chicken sausage pasta makes a tasty recipe for easy comfort food and a healthy dinner. Made with your favorite chicken sausage, pasta, spinach, mushrooms, sauce, and creamy goat cheese to finish it off. Ready in 25 minutes from start to finish.
High-protein beef pasta
Cheesy taco pasta takes the flavors of tacos and turns them into an easy and healthy pasta dish. Made with ground beef, veggies, and taco seasoning, and comes together with melted cheese. Full of flavor and absolutely delicious! Ready in 25 minutes and a meal everyone will love!
Fettuccini bolognese is a high-protein pasta recipe with beef and bacon meat sauce and fresh fettuccine. Each serving has more protein (32 grams!) than carbs and just 315 calories.
Ground beef pasta skillet is a perfect pasta dish the whole family will love! Ready in under 30 minutes, this cheesy pasta dinner is full of spinach, tomatoes, and just the right amount of Italian seasoning.
High-protein shrimp pasta
Shrimp rice noodles combine rice noodles, shrimp, veggies, and spices with a creamy Thai-inspired peanut butter sauce. It comes together in 30 minutes with just 10 ingredients and is perfect for an easy and healthy dinner recipe. Gluten-free and dairy-free.
Creamy cajun shrimp pasta with mushrooms, peppers, and onions. This 30-minute, one-pot pasta is perfect for weeknight cooking and will become a family favorite!
Garlic shrimp pasta in a bright lemon garlic sauce. Inspired by shrimp scampi, this healthy version is ready in 30!
High-protein vegetarian pasta
Lemon asparagus pasta combines pasta and asparagus with a creamy lemon feta sauce made from greek yogurt, feta, lemon juice, and herbs. It comes together in 20 minutes, is packed with protein, and is so delicious!
Protein mac and cheese fills you up and gets you going! Each serving packs 25 grams of protein and is so delicious. Simple to make and can easily be served baked or stovetop.
Broccoli pasta is the perfect quick and healthy pasta dish for busy weekdays. Made with garlic, onion, broccoli, and a cream sauce from cream cheese and lemon juice, it’s something that will please the whole family!
High protein vegan pasta
Creamy vegan pasta with veggies! Made with 10 ingredients and ready in 30 minutes. It will be your new go-to plant-based meal for an easy and comforting weeknight dinner. And it packs 17 grams of plant-based protein, fiber, and healthy fats for a well-balanced meal the whole family can get behind.
Vegan pesto pasta is veggie-loaded, bursting with flavor, and really easy to make on a weekday! Smothered in creamy, protein-rich pesto sauce, this 30-minute dinner will have your family licking their plates.
Vegan bolognese with mushrooms provides comparable richness and meaty texture to the classic ground meat sauce. Weeknight-approved and kid-friendly! Even the biggest meat lovers will love this vegan spaghetti bolognese.
Protein pasta salad
Buffalo chicken pasta salad with shredded chicken, veggies, pasta, hot sauce, and a Greek yogurt blue cheese dressing. Serve this pasta salad as a side dish for BBQs and picnics or as a full meal.
Vegan pasta salad with plenty of Southwest flair. Made with black beans, roasted corn, tomatoes, bell peppers, and an easy and creamy cashew southwest dressing. Perfect to make ahead for parties & quick dinners this summer.
Chicken caesar pasta salad combines pasta, chicken breast, lettuce, parmesan cheese, and a creamy healthy caesar dressing that is so delicious! Just one cup packs 23 grams of protein!
High protein pasta meal prep
Chicken ranch pasta with broccoli made with 6 simple ingredients for a cozy and comforting healthy dinner. Comes together in 30 minutes and is perfect for an easy weeknight meal or meal prep. It’s delicious cold or hot, making it great for meal prep!
Lightened-up hamburger helper with ground turkey is made with simple ingredients for a nostalgic, comforting dinner the whole family will love. This healthy hamburger helper takes just 30 minutes to make and is packed with flavor and protein! Options to add your fav veggies or spice it up if you’d like.
Healthy baked ziti is a lighter twist on a classic Italian dish. Baked Ziti Pasta is made with ground turkey for a delicious, simple dinner that anyone will love! Easily made gluten-free and simple to prepare!
And if you love quick and easy meals and want to learn how to build a balanced plate, check out our FREE How to Build a Balanced Plate Guide!
Dan says
Love the pasta dish’s
Kelly says
Thank you!