The best low calorie creamy pasta
So you’re in the mood for super creamy, cheesy pasta but don’t want to go over your calorie limit, what do you do? Make this low calorie creamy pasta! This pasta is inspired by the ‘GiGi Hadid’ pasta and is the perfect comfort food for weight loss. It is creamy, it is cheesy and it is so easy to make! And did I mention, it it just 370 calories for the entire dish?!
We’ve all heard the terrible rumour that in order to lose weight, we need to cut out carbs. That couldn’t be further from the truth. In all honesty, you could still lose weight eating absolutely anything! As long as you’re in a calorie deficit, you will lose weight.
It is obviously best to eat healthy, nutritious foods as our bodies need good, clean fuel. Carbs are what our bodies use for energy and so cutting it out would be unsustainable and unhealthy. That said, there are so many ways to keep eating your favorite carbs and keep the calories low. This low calorie creamy pasta recipe is super delicious, cheesy and satisfying for just 370 calories!!
You only need a handful of ingredients and 20 minutes to make your own creamy pasta. Plus, this recipe is single serve so you’ll be less likely to overeat. You can easily make this recipe vegan with just a few adjustments too!
Low calorie creamy pasta
Anyone on a weight loss journey knows how tempting it can be to order take-out after a long day because you just don’t have it in you to cook. This recipe is going to be one that you can go back to time and time again and it will always be delicious and satisfying. It is ready in just under 20 minutes making it the perfect quick and easy dinner recipe.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE:
- Super easy and simple to make!
- This recipe requires just 7 ingredients!
- Can easily be stored in the fridge and meal-prepped for the entire week!
- Requires just 20 minutes or less to make.
- This recipe can easily be made vegan and gluten-free.
- A hearty, filling portion size perfect for weight loss.
- This creamy pasta has just 370 calories!
- This recipe is single serve so there is no need to worry about over eating.
- The BEST low calorie creamy pasta ever!
Ingredients
Exact ingredient quantities can be found at the bottom of this page.
To make this low calorie creamy pasta you will need:
- Pasta – You can use any pasta of your choosing for this recipe. I like to use wholewheat penne or spaghetti for this sauce!
- Olive oil – The olive oil is used just to sauté the onions and give them a nice, soft texture. If you don’t want to use onion, you can leave out the olive oil too.
- Onion – Sautéed onions are a cooking staple. I use one small onion for this recipe but you can add less or more, thankfully onions are so low in calories!
- Passata – Passata is a thinned out tomato sauce, perfect for pasta sauces. You can use tomato paste or tomato puree here too.
- Philadelphia lightest – Philadelphia lightest is super low in calories whilst still being creamy, cheesy and thick. It is equivalent to 3% fat cream cheese. You can also use low-fat cream cheese which will increase the calories slightly. Use vegan cream cheese for a vegan alternative.
- Low fat cheese – You can’t have a creamy pasta without a little cheese! Low fat cheese is the best way to get the delicious creamy and cheesy flavor without the excess calories that regular cheese contains. Use vegan cheese for a vegan alternative.
- Seasonings – You can use any seasonings of your choice for this recipe. I like to keep it simple by using garlic powder, vegetable stock powder, dried parsley and crushed chillis.
- Pasta water – Set aside a little pasta water to thicken the sauce.
How to make low calorie creamy pasta
- In a small saucepan, sauté the onions in olive oil and cook until nicely browned, about 2 minutes.
- Add the passata to the saucepan and mix in your seasonings. Cook over medium heat until bubbling, about 3 minutes. Add in the cream cheese and pasta water, mix well and cook over medium heat until bubbling, about 3 minutes.
- Add the cheese and mix until it melts and combines with the sauce, then cook for a further 2 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Mix in the pasta until well coated with sauce, serve with a sprinkle of cheese and fresh parsley. Enjoy!
Storage
If you want to make this pasta ahead and meal-prep it, cook the pasta according to the instructions above, allow it to cool and then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can store this pasta for 4-5 days in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer.
more low calorie dinners…
370 Calorie Creamy Pasta
Ingredients
- 150 g cooked pasta of choice
- ½ tsp olive oil
- 1 small (50g) onion
- 50 g passata or tomato paste/puree
- 30 g Philadelphia lightest cream cheese
- 75 ml pasta water
- 20 g low fat cheese
- seasonings to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions and set aside 75ml of pasta water before draining.
- In a small saucepan, sauté the onions in olive oil and cook over medium heat until nicely browned, about 2 minutes. Add the passata to the saucepan and mix in your seasonings. Cook over medium heat until bubbling, about 3 minutes.
- Add in the cream cheese and pasta water, mix well and cook over medium heat until bubbling, about 3 minutes. Add the cheese and mix until it melts and combines with the sauce, then cook for a further 2 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Mix in the pasta until well coated with sauce, serve with a sprinkle of cheese and fresh parsley. Enjoy!
This was so good! I was skeptical about the amounts but once everything was put together, it was more than enough for one person. Thank you!
Hi Jacqui, so glad you enjoyed this recipe!
Hey how long would this typically last in the fridge or frizzier if I was to do meal prep
Hi Maryjane, I would suggest no more than 3 or 4 days to be safe!
Hi! What kind of low fat cheese do you recommend?
Hi Ethan, I don’t recommend any particular cheese tbh! I just use 50% reduced fat cheddar or mozzarella as they are my favorite taste-wise. For this recipe, I used 50% reduced fat cheddar cheese!
What is the serving size?
Hi Brooke, this recipe makes 1 serving so the entire dish is the serving!
Are you able to advise the amount of pasta uncooked? Is it the same? 150grams either way?
Hi Jen, 150g of cooked pasta is around 65-70g of uncooked pasta!
are the 230 calories for only the sauce or the sauce with the pasta ?
Hi Liv,
It’s for the sauce only! You can add as much pasta you like – I love to use 150g of cooked spaghetti which adds around 230 calories!