Easy pasta recipes

1. Spaghetti and meatballs

When you want to look after your heart and crave the rich flavours of Italy, this spaghetti and meatballs recipe is just the thing. We’ve used extra lean minced beef to keep the saturated fat content low and added grated courgettes to the meatballs for a clever way to help contribute to your five-a-day. Bellissimo!

• Get the recipe for spaghetti and meatballs (pictured above)

2. Tuna and sweetcorn pasta bake

We all like a bit of comfort food once in a while, but it can be tricky to find recipes for meals that are both satisfying and healthy. This tuna and sweetcorn pasta bake could be just what you’re looking for. The pasta is stirred through with a creamy cheese sauce, golden sweetcorn, meaty flakes of tuna, and fresh chives. Then it’s finished off with an extra scattering of reduced-fat cheese for a crispy topping. You’d never know that this pasta bake was heart-healthy! For some extra fibre, you could also use wholewheat pasta, which works just as well in this recipe.

• Get the recipe for tuna and sweetcorn pasta bake

3. Green pesto pasta

Our take on a classic pesto sauce has the full flavour of sweet, aromatic basil, and a hint of umami from Parmesan cheese. To make it healthier, we’ve swapped the oil that you find in traditional pesto sauces, for fat-free fromage frais instead. This clever tweak to the recipe allows you to enjoy the familiar intense flavours, while still being kind to your heart. Hey presto!

• Get the recipe for green pesto pasta

4. Tagliatelle with salmon and courgettes

Creamy, filling, and packed full of vegetables – this pasta recipe has it all! We’ve used tinned salmon instead of fresh, as a cost-effective alternative that still delivers on flavour. Using cornflour to thicken sauces, as we’ve done here, is another great tip for achieving a creamy texture without the saturated fat that cream or cheese would add. Ideal to share with friends or family this spring, or at any time of the year.

• Get the recipe for tagliatelle with salmon and courgettes

5. Chicken and chestnut mushroom pasta bake

When you want a meal that’s warming and filling, a pasta bake can be a tempting choice. But traditional pasta bake recipes can be much higher in salt and saturated fat if they are topped with lots of melted cheese, use red and processed meats like standard mince, sausage or bacon, and contain sauces made with butter or cream. Our heart-healthy version uses chicken breast, a good source of lean protein, along with earthy chestnut mushrooms. A touch of mustard and fresh parsley in the cheese sauce heightens the flavour hit, while the scattering of golden breadcrumbs gives it a deliciously crispy topping. Why not try using wholewheat pasta for some extra added fibre?

• Get the recipe for chicken and chestnut mushroom pasta bake

6. Creamy prawn pasta

For a vibrant meal that’s quick to make, our creamy prawn pasta is a real winner. Juicy red tomatoes, sweet green peas and a scattering of peppery rocket make for a colourful plate that will delight your taste buds too. If you like, you can add a hint of fresh chilli to really bring the flavours alive. If we haven’t convinced you yet, then you might be pleased to know that this easy pasta recipe takes just 35 minutes to prepare and cook.

• Get the recipe for creamy prawn pasta

7. Pasta with purple sprouting broccoli

This simple and speedy meal can be made mostly using ingredients you’d find in your store-cupboard, such as dried pasta, olive oil, onion and garlic. However, the star of this dish is the fresh and tender purple sprouting broccoli. It’s in season over the winter months until early May, although it can easily be substituted with any other type of broccoli and eaten year-round.

• Get the recipe for pasta with purple sprouting broccoli

8. Wholewheat spaghetti with sardines and cherry tomatoes

This meal is a great option if you like Mediterranean flavours, and it’s recommended to eat at least one portion of oily fish a week. While fresh fish can be expensive, the tinned sardines that we’ve used are much cheaper and can be stored for longer. They work brilliantly in combination with the delicate basil and fresh tomatoes, although tinned mackerel is also a good alternative. The best part is that this easy pasta recipe only takes 25 minutes to make. Try it out today!

• Get the recipe for wholewheat spaghetti with sardines and cherry tomatoes

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