Preparing a delicious pasta dish is hard work, especially when you’re counting calories. Everything is a factor to take into account: the type of pasta, the sauce and, above all, the toppings. But don’t worry, here are easy low-calorie dishes that don’t compromise on taste:

Tropical pesto pasta

Calorie count: 465 calories

What do you need:

• 2 cups spaghetti, cooked al dente

• 6 cloves of garlic

• 2 cups loose baby spinach leaves

• 1 cup basil leaves tightly packed

• 1/2 cup Pecorino-Romano cheese, diced

• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

• 1/4 cup lemon juice

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1/4 teaspoon lemon zest

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

In a food processor, grate Romano cheese until coarse, about 30 seconds. Add the garlic and process again until well combined with the cheese. Add the baby spinach, basil leaves, walnuts, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt and process again until the mixture forms a thick paste. Carefully pour olive oil over mixture and process until oil is incorporated. Place cooked pasta in a serving bowl and top with sauce. Toss to coat.

tomato and bean penne

Calorie count: 460 calories

What do you need:

• 1 cup penne pasta, cooked al dente

• 3 1/2 cups Italian-style diced tomatoes

• 2 1/4 cups cannellini beans

• 1 1/4 cups fresh spinach

• 1/2 cup feta cheese crumbled

In a large nonstick skillet, combine the tomatoes and cannellini beans and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Lower the heat and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes. Add spinach to skillet; cook and stir 2 more minutes until leaves have wilted. Place the cooked penne on a serving plate and pour the sauce over it. Top with feta cheese.

light zucchini pasta

Calorie count: 290 calories

What do you need:

• 1 cup linguine pasta, cooked al dente

• 3 zucchini, grated

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1/4 cup nonfat plain yogurt

• 1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• Salt and ground black pepper to taste

Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and sauté the garlic until golden brown. Add a handful of zucchini and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the rest of the zucchini and continue cooking for about 3 more minutes. Place cooked pasta in a serving bowl and toss with cooked zucchini, yogurt, and Cheddar cheese. Season with salt and black pepper before serving.

Now you can enjoy a delicious pasta dish without guilt and without counting calories. Try any of these healthy, low calorie pasta dishes now!