Whole grain pasta has long been hailed as a healthier alternative to regular pasta. The fact that the flour that is used to make the pasta noodles is whole wheat flour provides extra nutrients that may be missing from regular pasta.
The nutrients that are still present in whole grain help contribute to the healthy function of your body and organs. In this article, we will look at 10 delicious whole grain pasta recipes that you are sure to love.
1. Whole Wheat Chili Mac
Starting strong, this whole wheat chili mac is one of the most warming and delicious recipes on this list. The whole wheat macaroni noodles provide essential nutrients that support your body’s health and natural function.
The chili meat sauce that covers the noodles is not only bursting with flavor but is also full of extra nutrients that complement the noodles perfectly.
2. Whole Wheat Spaghetti With Sausage And Peppers
Another great meat option is this recipe for whole wheat spaghetti noodles with sausage and peppers. The natural, underlying sweetness of the sausage meat and the peppers complement each other perfectly.
The whole wheat spaghetti is less sweet than regular spaghetti noodles which balances the dish nicely. You can change up this recipe by using different types of sausage.
A spicy Italian sausage would do really well with this recipe.
3. Whole Grain Pasta & Beef Bolognese
Bolognese is a classic dish that is most commonly accompanied by pasta noodles. A bolognese sauce that is made at home from scratch is one of the healthiest pasta sauces that you can make.
While it might not be the lowest in calories, it is a well-balanced sauce that provides a rounded and satisfying meal.
The whole wheat pasta noodles provide a healthy source of carbohydrates that make this a filling dinner option.
4. Whole Grain Pasta With Fresh Veggies
There are also many great whole grain pasta recipes that are suitable for vegetarians and even vegans.
This recipe for whole grain pasta with fresh veggies is a super simple option for vegetarians who want a really easy and low-effort lunch or dinner option.
This recipe is super simple to convert to a vegan-friendly recipe by purchasing or making vegan whole grain pasta. There are many places that stock this type of pasta or many recipes available online to make it yourself.
5. Whole Wheat Penne In Fresh Tomato Sauce
Tomatoes contain so many different vitamins and minerals that help to contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Using them to make a fresh tomato sauce to accompany your whole grain pasta.
The combination of ingredients in this recipe creates a light and refreshing meal that is bursting with healthy nutrients that can support the proper function of the organs and systems in your body.
This is a recipe that is great for lunch or dinner.
6. Whole Wheat Macaroni And Cheese
Macaroni and cheese is a classic pasta dish that has long been a staple of comfort foods, cookouts, and holiday celebrations. However, it isn’t often associated with a healthy diet or a balanced meal.
Thankfully, a simple change can turn this favorite comfort food into a more healthy, but just as comforting dish. Best of all, the simple change doesn’t affect the flavor of the dish in any way.
All you have to do is swap your regular pasta noodles for whole grain pasta noodles.
7. Whole Wheat Spaghetti With Lemon, Basil, And Salmon
For some people, when they think of pasta dishes, they think of heavy and stodgy meals that are going to sit in your stomach and make you feel lethargic and bloated. However, that doesn’t have to be the case.
There are some incredible recipes that create a deliciously flavorful dish without being too heavy.
This recipe for whole wheat spaghetti with lemon, basil, and salmon is a wonderfully light dish that is perfect for a light lunch or a late dinner that isn’t going to sit in your stomach too much and affect your sleep.
8. Whole Wheat Pasta With Shrimp And Herbs
Another delicious light pasta option that is perfect for those nights when you don’t have a chance to eat until late is this recipe for whole wheat pasta with shrimp and herbs.
The shrimp and herb combination creates a meal that is full of flavor but is easily digested. This means that you can eat this dish and not worry about it sitting in your stomach late into the evening and causing digestive issues.
The use of whole grain pasta also helps with that.
9. Whole Wheat Greek Pasta Salad
Pasta salads are a great option for an easy lunch or for a delicious dinner on a hot day. This can also be a great recipe to bring to a family gathering or a cookout.
This whole wheat Greek pasta salad is one of the most nutritious dishes on this list.
The ingredients such as olives and artichokes provide a ton of nutrients to this recipe that complements the nutrient profile of the whole wheat pasta perfectly.
10. Whole Wheat Pasta With Lemon Kale Chicken
This recipe for whole wheat pasta with lemon kale and chicken is another great option for the warmer months when you want a light but filling meal that isn’t going to require too much effort from your body to digest.
Not only is the whole wheat pasta packed with nutrients, but the kale is also bursting with its own health benefits that make this recipe the perfect healthy dinner option.
The chicken provides a light protein source that absorbs the flavors of the lemon perfectly.
11. Whole Wheat Roasted Vegetable Lasagna
This recipe for whole wheat roasted vegetable lasagna is an absolute game changer for anyone who has been taught to demonize pasta dishes. For some people, the thought of regularly eating pasta dishes is unhealthy.
However, with this recipe, you will see that eating pasta dishes can not only be healthy, but they can also be delicious and burst with flavor. This recipe is a great way to enjoy lasagna without the hassle of making a meat sauce.
Why Is Whole Grain Pasta Good For You?
There are so many reasons why whole grain pasta is good for you. One of the main reasons why it is better than regular pasta is that it has not gone through as much processing as regular pasta.
This means that there are more nutrients left over from the base ingredients.
Whole wheat pasta has been shown to help improve the overall health of the digestive system in people who consume it regularly. The same improvements aren’t seen in people who regularly consume regular pasta.
Whole grain pasta has also been known to help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, obesity, and other life-threatening diseases.
This is thanks in large part to the lower glycemic index rating of whole grain pasta when compared to regular pasta.
The nutrients that are present in whole grain pasta are the stars of this particular food item. In whole grain pasta, you get a decent amount of iron, protein, antioxidants, zinc, copper, vitamin b, selenium, and magnesium among others.
All of these vitamins and minerals help contribute to healthy organs and overall health and fitness.
How Is Whole Grain Pasta Different From Regular Pasta?
There are a few ways in which whole grain pasta and regular pasta are different. Aside from the differences in the nutrient profile of the two food items, there are some physical differences too.
Regular pasta often has a much lighter and fluffier texture than whole grain pasta. This is because of the refined flour that is used to make the noodles.
On the other hand, whole grain pasta has a heavier and heartier texture which makes it a more filling option than regular pasta.
A lot of people are put off from eating whole wheat pasta because of the differences in texture mentioned above.
You may sometimes hear people describe whole grain pasta as tasting like cardboard because of its firmer texture. This tougher texture often happens because the whole grain pasta has been cooked in the same way as regular pasta.
Because of the difference in the texture of this pasta, it requires slightly different cooking methods. It is important to make sure that you are cooking whole grain pasta for longer than regular pasta to get the same, desirable texture.
There is no reason why whole grain pasta should feel like you are eating cardboard.
Final Thoughts
Whole grain pasta is a great way to get more grains into your diet while avoiding overly processed foods.
While there are some adjustments that need to be made when cooking with whole grain pasta, the dishes that you can make are just as delicious as regular pasta dishes.
Best of all, they are bursting with nutrients that help support a healthy body and lifestyle.
