Pasta lovers, rejoice! If you’re looking for meals that are comforting, delicious, and packed with protein, you’ve come to the right place.

With fitness goals on the rise and a growing interest in nutritious eating, high-protein pasta recipes are more popular than ever.

Whether you’re an athlete, on a weight-loss journey, or simply want to feel fuller for longer, these meals offer the perfect balance of flavor and nourishment.

This curated list of 15 high-protein pasta dishes includes something for everyone—vegetarians, meat lovers, and even plant-based eaters. Let’s dive into this mouthwatering collection!

1. Creamy Chicken & Spinach Protein Penne

A creamy, guilt-free pasta dish made with lean chicken breast, fresh spinach, and Greek yogurt for a protein-packed twist on Alfredo.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups whole wheat penne pasta
• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Cook penne according to package instructions; drain and set aside.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Cook chicken until golden and no longer pink. Remove and slice.
3. In the same skillet, add garlic and spinach; sauté until wilted.
4. Lower heat and stir in Greek yogurt and Parmesan until creamy.
5. Add chicken and pasta to the skillet; mix well and season to taste.

2. Turkey Taco Pasta Bake

A bold, Tex-Mex inspired pasta bake with lean ground turkey, beans, and a spicy cheese topping.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups high-protein pasta shells
• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 can black beans, drained
• 1 cup corn
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook pasta and set aside.
3. In a skillet, cook turkey with spices until browned.
4. Add beans, corn, salsa, and cooked pasta. Stir well.
5. Transfer to a baking dish, top with cheese, and bake for 15 minutes.

3. Shrimp & Edamame Protein Linguine

A light and zesty pasta featuring shrimp, protein-rich edamame, and whole-grain linguine.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz whole grain linguine
• 1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup shelled edamame
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook linguine and edamame; drain and set aside.
2. In a pan, heat oil and sauté garlic. Add shrimp and cook until pink.
3. Toss shrimp, edamame, and pasta with lemon juice and seasoning.

4. Beef & Lentil Protein Pasta Skillet

A hearty one-skillet meal that pairs savory ground beef with protein-packed lentils.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups red lentil pasta
• 1/2 lb ground beef (90% lean)
• 1/2 cup cooked lentils
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1 tsp oregano
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta; drain.
2. In a skillet, cook beef and onion until browned.
3. Add lentils, tomato sauce, and spices. Simmer 5 minutes.
4. Mix in pasta and heat through.

5. Cottage Cheese Alfredo Protein Fettuccine

An ultra-creamy Alfredo sauce made with protein-rich cottage cheese instead of heavy cream.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz fettuccine
• 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1/2 cup milk
• Salt, pepper, and parsley

Instructions:

1. Blend cottage cheese, garlic, milk, and Parmesan until smooth.
2. Cook fettuccine and drain.
3. Heat sauce in a skillet; toss pasta in and garnish with parsley.

6. Tofu Pesto Pasta Bowl

A vibrant green pasta bowl with high-protein tofu and homemade pesto.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups chickpea pasta
• 1/2 block extra firm tofu, cubed
• 1 cup fresh basil
• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Blend basil, garlic, nuts, oil, and lemon juice for pesto.
2. Cook pasta and sauté tofu until golden.
3. Toss everything together and serve warm.

7. Salmon & Broccoli Protein Mac

Omega-3-rich salmon and fiber-filled broccoli combine in this creamy, high-protein mac and cheese.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups protein pasta elbows
• 1 can wild-caught salmon
• 1 cup steamed broccoli florets
• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar
• Salt, pepper, garlic powder

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta and broccoli.
2. Mix salmon, yogurt, cheese, and seasoning in a bowl.
3. Stir into pasta and heat gently until creamy.

8. Baked Ricotta & Chickpea Pasta

A vegetarian delight loaded with chickpeas and creamy baked ricotta for a protein punch.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups whole wheat pasta
• 1 can chickpeas, rinsed
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce
• Fresh basil, salt, and pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook pasta and mix with chickpeas and sauce.
3. Transfer to baking dish, top with ricotta, and bake 20 minutes.

9. Tuna & White Bean Pasta Salad

A cold pasta salad that’s great for meal prep and packed with lean tuna and white beans.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups rotini pasta
• 1 can tuna in water
• 1/2 cup canned white beans
• 1/4 red onion, sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Lemon juice, salt, and pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta, rinse in cold water.
2. Mix tuna, beans, onion, oil, and lemon juice.
3. Combine with pasta and chill before serving.

10. Ground Chicken & Quinoa Pasta

This protein powerhouse combines ground chicken with quinoa-based pasta and savory spices.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups quinoa pasta
• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 1 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook quinoa pasta and drain.
2. Sauté chicken, onion, and pepper with spices.
3. Mix with pasta and serve hot.

11. Egg & Veggie Breakfast Pasta

A unique breakfast-for-dinner option with scrambled eggs and mixed veggies over pasta.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole wheat spaghetti
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup mixed bell peppers
• 1/4 cup diced tomatoes
• Salt, pepper, olive oil

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta.
2. Sauté veggies in oil; add beaten eggs and scramble.
3. Toss in pasta and season to taste.

12. Vegan Lentil Bolognese

A plant-based take on the classic Bolognese using lentils and tomato sauce over high-protein pasta.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups lentil pasta
• 1 cup cooked brown lentils
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 1 carrot, grated
• Garlic, basil, salt

Instructions:

1. Sauté onion, carrot, and garlic.
2. Add lentils and sauce; simmer 10 minutes.
3. Mix with pasta and garnish with basil.

13. Greek Yogurt Chicken Pasta Salad

A cool, creamy chicken pasta salad made with Greek yogurt and crunchy veggies.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups rotini pasta
• 1 cup cooked shredded chicken
• 1/2 cup chopped cucumber
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tsp dill
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta and let cool.
2. Mix yogurt, dill, and seasoning.
3. Toss all ingredients together and refrigerate.

14. Bison & Spinach Protein Pasta

Lean bison and iron-rich spinach come together in a bold, flavorful dish.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups red lentil penne
• 1/2 lb ground bison
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 1/2 cup marinara sauce
• Garlic, onion, salt, pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta.
2. Brown bison with garlic and onion; add spinach and cook until wilted.
3. Stir in marinara and pasta; mix well.

15. Protein Carbonara with Turkey Bacon

A healthy spin on classic carbonara using turkey bacon and a high-protein egg-based sauce.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups whole wheat spaghetti
• 4 slices turkey bacon
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
• Black pepper, salt

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta. In a separate pan, cook turkey bacon and chop.
2. Beat eggs with Parmesan and pepper.
3. Mix hot pasta with egg mixture quickly, then add bacon. Serve immediately.

Conclusion:

These 15 high-protein pasta recipes prove that you don’t have to choose between delicious and nutritious.

Whether you’re bulking up, slimming down, or simply trying to eat more balanced meals, there’s a dish here that fits your lifestyle.

Best of all, many of these meals can be prepped in advance, making healthy eating more convenient.