Spring is a season of renewal, not just for nature but also for our kitchens. As the chill of winter fades away, we welcome the warmer, longer days with open arms and empty plates, ready to be filled with the vibrant flavors of the season. The arrival of spring brings with it a bounty of fresh produce, from crisp asparagus to sweet peas, tender greens to early strawberries, all begging to be transformed into delightful dishes. Among the many ways to celebrate these seasonal offerings, spring pasta recipes stand out as a versatile canvas, perfect for showcasing the bright, fresh flavors of spring.
Rediscover the joy of cooking with the freshest ingredients the season has to offer. These fresh and healthy spring pasta recipes are a testament to the beauty of simplicity, each dish designed to highlight the unique flavors and textures of spring produce. From light, lemony fettuccine to robust ravioli tossed with verdant vegetables, there’s something to satisfy every palate.
Prepare to be inspired by a selection of pasta dishes that are as colorful as they are flavorful. Whether you’re planning a casual weeknight dinner, a festive spring brunch or a special occasion meal, these recipes are sure to impress. So, grab your apron, and let’s celebrate the essence of spring, one delicious pasta dish at a time.
1. Spring Sausage and Herb Pasta
If you and your family love sweet or spicy sausage, try it in this dish that’s popping with flavor. We use lean pork sausage, but you can also try turkey or chicken sausage. It’s paired with the whole wheat pasta of your choice, along with fresh spring peas, parsley and mint. A simple lemon sauce bathes it all in a bright yet savory flavor.
Get the Spring Sausage and Herb Pasta recipe.
2. Healthy Lemon Salmon Pasta
Salmon is one of your best choices for a PowerFuel. It’s high in protein and rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Most of all, salmon has a light flavor that blends well with other ingredients. For this dish, we toss chunks of the cooked fish with fresh asparagus tips and whole wheat pasta. It’s finished with a light sauce of lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic and basil. You can enjoy this meal warm or lightly chilled on a balmy day.
Get the Healthy Lemon Salmon Pasta recipe.
3. Spinach and Artichoke Orzo Pasta
Orzo is small, oval-shaped pasta that looks a lot like rice. The whole wheat version makes a hearty foundation to this dish featuring two spring vegetables. Fresh spinach leaves and artichoke hearts provide lots of essential vitamins and minerals, while a sauce made with a blend of Parmesan and cream cheese adds melty pleasure to it all. You can make this an even more satisfying meal by simply adding a PowerFuel like chicken breast or shrimp.
Get the Spinach and Artichoke Orzo Pasta recipe.
4. Simple Spring Green Pasta Salad
You can punch up any spring meal with this colorful and tasty side dish. It features seasonal favorites like green peas, asparagus tips and watercress, a super-nutritious green with a peppery flavor. The vegetables and the whole wheat rotini absorb the rich flavor of the easy-to-prepare lemon dressing. If you’re sharing this dish with guests or just like a little extra salty flavor, shave some parmesan cheese on top.
Get the Simple Spring Green Pasta Salad recipe.
5. Lemon Leek Pasta
Spring vegetables including leeks, kale and shaved Brussels sprouts are front and center in this simple and flavorful meal. The veggies are matched with whole wheat fettucine and flavored with fresh lemon juice. The dish is topped with pine nuts and asiago cheese for a balanced medley of flavors and textures.
Get the Lemon Leek Pasta recipe.
6. Shrimp Pasta with Garlic Asparagus
Sweet and juicy shrimp are mild in flavor, light in calories and loaded with protein. That makes them an ideal companion for bowtie pasta seasoned with zesty garlic, fresh basil and lemons. Asparagus adds color, flavor and potent nutrients. This dish is elegant enough to serve to guests, but if you buy frozen shrimp, it can be a budget-friendly dinner any day of the week.
Get the Shrimp Asparagus Pasta recipe.
7. Air Fried Toasted Ravioli with Fresh Green Sauce
You can use Nutrisystem Bistro-Style Toasted Ravioli to create a spring-flavored meal that’s worthy of your favorite local Italian restaurant. In the air fryer, the ravioli become crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside. They’re dressed with a green pesto sauce made from zucchini, spinach, basil and onions, plus Parmesan and cream cheese.
Get the Air Fried Toasted Ravioli with Fresh Green Sauce recipe.
8. Seafood Pasta Salad
Seafood and pasta together make a meal that feels light yet is truly filling. We prepare this chilled salad with imitation crab, a paste made from shredded pollock or other white fish that’s blended to have a taste and texture similar to real crab meat, but costs less. You can use real crab, if you prefer. Whichever you choose, the seafood is paired with hardboiled eggs for even more protein, plus whole wheat elbow macaroni, bell peppers, carrots, red onions, celery and fresh parsley. The ingredients are tossed with a dressing featuring Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard and white wine vinegar for a tangy, zesty flavor.
Get the Seafood Pasta Salad recipe.
9. Green Mac and Cheese
We took a classic family favorite and made it even better with more nutritious ingredients while keeping everything that you love about it. We use whole wheat macaroni and top it with a rich sauce made with low-fat cheese and almond milk. Spinach, broccoli and spiralized zucchini add fiber, key nutrients and color to the dish. Serve it once and it is sure to become a hit in your household.
Get the Green Mac and Cheese recipe.
10. Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Gnocchi
Succulent shrimp, sweet peas and tender pasta offer you a satisfying contrast of flavors and textures. This dish starts with whole wheat gnocchi, which are plump, soft dumplings made from potatoes. They’re tossed with the shellfish, peas and fresh spinach in a quick sauce of Parmesan cheese, cream cheese and lemon juice. This dish may seem too decadent for you when you’re eating for weight loss, but rest assured, it has been approved by Nutrisystem dietitians!
Get the Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Gnocchi recipe.
11. Spring Beet Orzo Risotto
Beets are at their peak of freshness in spring. They infuse this dish with their brilliant hue and naturally sweet, earthy taste. The beets are roasted and then pureed to create a smooth sauce, which is mixed with the cooked orzo, onions, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. A few dollops of creamy goat cheese and a sprinkling of toasted almonds on top complete the dish.
Get the Spring Beet Orzo Risotto recipe.
12. Healthy Lemon Chicken Piccata
The traditional Italian piccata dish is made with veal, but we prefer using chicken breast, which can be as tender as veal but is lower in saturated fats and less expensive. After the chicken is breaded and sauteed for a crispy outside, it is coated in a light, flavorful sauce made with chicken broth, lemon juice, garlic cloves, capers and a little Greek yogurt for creaminess. Serve it with your choice of pasta and a non-starchy vegetable to create a balanced Flex meal.
Get the Healthy Lemon Chicken Piccata recipe.
13. Creamy Avocado Pasta with Vegetables
“Primavera” is Italian for “spring” and this version of pasta primavera is as delicious as the classic and even more nutritious. The whole wheat pasta, cherry tomatoes and asparagus tips are tossed in a creamy, flavorful sauce made with avocado, olive oil, lemon juice and garlic. If you and your family don’t care for tomatoes or asparagus, you can substitute any veggies you like, such as mushrooms, zucchini and bell peppers.
Get the Creamy Avocado Pasta recipe.
14. Artichoke and Chicken Pasta
Take a popular Nutrisystem meal, Artichoke and Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast, pair it with pasta and make a complete and balanced dinner. Cook up any whole wheat pasta you like and toss it with two spring vegetables, fresh artichokes and spinach, plus light cream cheese. Top it with your chicken breast and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
Get the Artichoke and Chicken Pasta recipe.
15. Lemon Ricotta Pasta
Indulge in a delightful dish of al dente whole grain spaghetti coated in a creamy mix of ricotta and parmesan, complemented by a burst of lemon zest and a hint of garlic and black pepper. Elevate your meals with this luxurious Lemon Ricotta Pasta recipe, showcasing the art of combining simple, wholesome ingredients for a flavorful weeknight dinner.
Get the Lemon Ricotta Pasta recipe.
16. Penne Pasta Primavera
Celebrate nature’s bounty with our delicious Penne Pasta Primavera recipe! Embrace spring’s freshness with whole grain penne pasta and a variety of colorful vegetables, all infused with the zesty flavor of lemon, Italian seasoning and parmesan cheese. A delightful dish to savor at your dinner table!
Get the Pasta Primavera recipe.
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