Get ready to inhale all the heavenly pasta you want without all of the guilt afterwards. Whether you are a marathon runner looking to carbo-load with new recipes or simply just love pasta, enjoy all the deliciousness of restaurant-quality pasta dishes without the excess calories, cream, and butter.

There’s no reason to be using the same boring jar of tomato sauce when creating your very own fresh, savory sauce can be so easy. Considering making your dish even healthier by using whole wheat or gluten-free pasta.

Buon appetito.

1. Fresh & Spicy Tomato Pasta

pasta

Photo by Ashley Hamati

Easy

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10-15 minutes
Total Time: 20-25 minutes

Servings: 4-6 people

Ingredients:
Tomatoes
Olive oil
1 can of tomato paste
Fresh parsley, chopped
Fresh basil, chopped
2 tbsp. chili oil
Oregano or rosemary to taste
Salt to taste
Crushed red pepper to taste
1-2 cloves of garlic, crushed
Cooked pasta of your choice

Directions:
1. Wash and chop the tomatoes into a variety of sizes depending on how chunky you want your sauce.
2. In a large frying pan, pour olive oil to coat the base and turn a stove to medium or low heat, stirring. Fluctuate between medium and low heat as needed.
3. Finely chop garlic.
4. Add garlic, being careful not to singe it; you want it lightly sautéed. Keep stirring lightly.
5. Add the tomatoes, continuing to stir with a spatula or wooden spoon.
6. Drizzle 2 tbsp. chili oil and a little more olive oil.
7. Add a couple pinches of salt to taste, and keep stirring.
8. Add the contents of the 1 can of tomato paste, and mix well with the tomatoes.
9. Turn off heat completely.
10. Add the peppers, oregano, a little more salt to taste, and any excess garlic while stirring.
11. Garnish with basil and parsley; let cool.
12. Serve over pasta.

2. Creamy Avocado & Spinach Pasta

pasta

Photo courtesy of JoCooks

Easy

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients: 
1 clove garlic
1 avocado
1 cup fresh spinach
½ cup pecans
¼ cup basil
1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Cooked pasta of your choice

Directions:
1. Add all of the ingredients (except the pasta) to a blender, and blend until it turns into a smooth sauce.
2. Toss pasta with the sauce in a bowl.
3. Serve immediately.

3.  Zesty Lemon Parmesan Vinaigrette Pasta

pasta

Photo by Ashley Hamati

Easy

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10-15 minutes
Total Time: 20-25 minutes

Servings: 4-6 people

Ingredients:
Zest of 1 lemon
Juice of 1-2 lemons to taste
¼ cup of Italian parsley, finely chopped
¼ cup chili oil
Parmesan cheese for garnishing

Directions:
1. Whisk all together in a bowl.
2. Toss pasta with the sauce.
3. Serve garnished with lemon zest and Parmesan cheese.

 Still craving more pasta? Check out these recipes: