10+ Healthy Pasta Sauce Recipes to Elevate Your Meals
Pasta is a favorite meal for many, and the right sauce can elevate your dish to new heights. Healthy pasta sauce recipes not only boost the flavor of your meal but also add essential nutrients to your diet. With a variety of ingredients available, you can create delicious sauces that suit your taste and health goals.
Whether you prefer a creamy sauce or a fresh tomato blend, there are options that cater to every palate. You can easily incorporate vegetables, herbs, and proteins to make your pasta night satisfying and nutritious.
These healthy recipes offer simple ways to enjoy your favorite comfort food while staying mindful of your health.
1) Creamy Vegan Red Pepper Pasta Sauce
This creamy vegan red pepper pasta sauce is a quick and tasty option for any meal. It uses roasted red peppers blended with non-dairy milk for a smooth and rich texture.
You can enhance the flavor with garlic, lemon juice, and spices. This sauce is dairy-free and gluten-free, making it a healthy choice for everyone.
You will love how easy it is to prepare this dish. In just 20 minutes, you can have a delicious sauce ready for your pasta.
Ingredients
- 2 roasted red peppers
- 1 cup non-dairy milk
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Blend the roasted red peppers, non-dairy milk, garlic, lemon juice, and chili powder until smooth.
- Heat the sauce in a saucepan over medium heat (350°F/180°C).
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve over your favorite pasta. Enjoy!
2) High Protein Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce
High protein cottage cheese pasta sauce is a delicious and nutritious choice for pasta lovers. It combines the creaminess of cottage cheese with simple ingredients that boost flavor and nutrition.
You’ll need cottage cheese, which adds protein, and parmesan cheese for a tasty kick. Add onion and garlic for extra flavor. This sauce is not only creamy but also easy to make.
Start with chickpea pasta for a healthy twist that adds more protein too.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 1 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 10 oz chickpea pasta
Cooking Instructions
- Cook the chickpea pasta according to the package instructions.
- In a pan, sauté the onion and garlic until soft.
- Stir in the cottage cheese and parmesan cheese until well combined.
- Mix in the cooked pasta and serve warm.
3) Garlicky Greek Yogurt Pasta Sauce
Garlicky Greek yogurt pasta sauce is a tasty and healthy choice for your meals. This sauce is creamy, rich, and quick to make. It’s a wonderful alternative to heavy cream sauces.
To prepare, you will need Greek yogurt, parmesan cheese, garlic, and a few seasonings. This sauce pairs well with any pasta, veggie, or protein you like.
Simply mix the ingredients together in a bowl for a delicious, satisfying sauce. You can serve it hot or cold, making it versatile for different dishes.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh herbs (optional)
Cooking Instructions
- In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt, parmesan cheese, and minced garlic.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Mix until smooth and creamy.
- Toss with cooked pasta or use as a dip.
4) Healthy Hidden Veggie Pasta Sauce
This Healthy Hidden Veggie Pasta Sauce is a great way to sneak in more vegetables into your meals. It has a creamy texture and rich flavor that kids will love.
You can use ingredients like tomatoes, zucchini, and carrots to create a nutrient-packed sauce. Blending the vegetables makes them disappear into a smooth mix, keeping your dish tasty.
This sauce works well with any pasta you choose. You can also use it as a base for other recipes.
Ingredients
- 4 vine ripe tomatoes, halved
- 1 zucchini, roughly chopped
- 1 yellow onion, roughly chopped
- 2 carrots, roughly chopped
- 1 cup of vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place the tomatoes, zucchini, onion, and carrots on a baking sheet.
- Drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle salt and pepper.
- Roast for about 25 minutes until tender.
- Transfer veggies to a blender and add vegetable broth.
- Blend until smooth. Serve over your favorite pasta!
5) Quick & Healthy Green Spinach Sauce
This quick and healthy green spinach sauce is a great way to add flavor and nutrition to your pasta. It’s creamy, loaded with vitamins, and takes only minutes to prepare.
To make the sauce, you will need fresh spinach, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and your choice of cheese. The combination provides a delicious and fresh taste.
Start by sautéing garlic in olive oil. Then, add the spinach and cook until it’s wilted. Blend the mixture with lemon juice and cheese for creaminess. Serve it over your favorite pasta.
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt to taste
Cooking Instructions
- In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes.
- Stir in spinach and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes.
- Remove from heat and blend with lemon juice and Parmesan.
- Toss the sauce with cooked pasta and enjoy!
6) Homemade Tomato Basil Sauce
Homemade tomato basil sauce is fresh and simple to make. You can enjoy the bright flavors of tomatoes and basil in just a short time. This sauce brings a taste of summer to your table.
Start by dicing fresh tomatoes and chopping basil. Then, sauté garlic in olive oil for extra flavor. Add the tomatoes, basil, garlic salt, and a pinch of salt. Let it simmer until the tomatoes break down.
This sauce pairs perfectly with pasta or as a topping for bread. You can also use it as a base for many dishes.
Ingredients
- 8 small tomatoes, diced
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- Salt to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Heat olive oil and butter in a pan over medium heat.
- Sauté minced garlic until fragrant.
- Add diced tomatoes and garlic salt.
- Simmer for about 20 minutes.
- Stir in fresh basil and salt, and cook for 5 more minutes.
7) No-Nut Creamy Red Pepper Sauce
This creamy red pepper sauce is perfect for anyone looking for a nut-free option. It’s rich and flavorful, making it a great addition to your pasta dishes.
To make this sauce, you’ll need ripe red bell peppers, white beans, garlic, and spices. The beans will give the sauce a creamy texture without using any nuts.
Start by roasting the red peppers until they are soft. Blend them with cooked white beans, garlic, and chili powder until smooth. You’ll have a delicious sauce ready in no time!
Ingredients
- 2 red bell peppers
- 1 cup cooked white beans
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Roast the red bell peppers for 20 minutes until soft.
- Let them cool, then peel off the skins.
- In a blender, combine the roasted peppers, white beans, garlic, and chili powder.
- Blend until smooth and adjust seasoning if needed.
8) Blanched Spinach Basil Pasta Sauce
Blanched Spinach Basil Pasta Sauce is a simple and nutritious option. The bright green sauce adds a fresh flavor to your pasta dishes. You can whip it up in just a few minutes!
Start by blanching fresh spinach in boiling water for about 2 minutes. This helps keep the bright green color and makes the spinach easier to blend. After that, drain the spinach and let it cool.
Next, combine the blanched spinach with fresh basil leaves, garlic, olive oil, and a squeeze of lemon juice in a blender. Blend until smooth. You can add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste.
This sauce pairs well with spaghetti or fettuccine. It’s a great way to enjoy your greens with a delicious twist!
Ingredients
- Fresh spinach
- Fresh basil
- Garlic
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Salt
- Pepper
Cooking Instructions
- Boil water in a pot.
- Add spinach and blanch for 2 minutes.
- Drain and cool spinach.
- In a blender, combine spinach, basil, garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice.
- Blend until smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve with your choice of pasta.
9) Flavorful Dairy-Free Veggie Sauce
To make a delicious dairy-free veggie sauce, start with fresh vegetables. You can use bell peppers, zucchini, and tomatoes for a tasty mix. Sauté them until they are soft, about 5-7 minutes.
Next, add garlic and onion for extra flavor. Cook these until they are fragrant. Then, blend everything until smooth. If you like a little creaminess, include some dairy-free cream cheese.
Season with salt, pepper, and herbs like basil or oregano. This adds a boost of flavor. Simmer for a few more minutes to let the tastes meld together.
10) Simple Olive Oil and Garlic Sauce
A simple olive oil and garlic sauce is quick to make and full of flavor. You only need a few ingredients, and it pairs well with many types of pasta.
Start by cooking your pasta until it’s al dente. While the pasta cooks, heat extra virgin olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until golden. Make sure not to burn the garlic, as it can taste bitter.
Once the pasta is done, reserve some cooking water. Add the drained pasta to the pan with the garlic oil. Mix everything together and add a splash of the reserved water if needed.
Season with salt, pepper, and fresh herbs if you like.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb (450 grams) spaghetti or other long pasta
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 4-5 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Fresh parsley or red pepper flakes
Cooking Instructions:
- Cook pasta according to package instructions.
- In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and sauté until golden.
- Drain the pasta, saving some cooking water.
- Combine pasta with garlic oil in the pan.
- Add reserved water as needed, then season to taste.
- Serve hot with grated cheese if desired.