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Pasta is our go-to weeknight dinner because it’s so easy.

cold italian or greek pasta salad

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Dinner that comes together in less than 15 minutes where do we sign up?

Buteating pasta every daycan have its drawbacks, namely weight gain.

Did you know that the recommended serving size for pasta is just 2 ounces?

house salad side in bowl

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That’s almost five times more than the recommended serving size!

We said it: it’s possible to eat this Italian staple and still maintain a trim figure.

For carb-lovers, hearing that bit of news feels a bit like winning the lottery.

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Simply use our time-tested tips to whip up tasty, guilt-free pasta dishes and keep shedding those extra pounds.

Bonus: Add a tablespoon of dressing to your greens.

A bit of fat can help the body absorb cancer-fighting and heart-healthy nutrients like lycopene and beta-carotene.

Zucchini noodles spiralized

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Just confirm you’re not using one ofThe Most Toxic Salad Dressing on Grocery Shelves.

What’s the trouble with that?

And naturally, that also means it’s high in calories: 352 per cup to be precise.

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Cut the carbs, and the calories, by switching to low carb veggies.

Spiralize zucchini, carrots, or squash to make low-carb, low-calorie spaghetti!

This swap is among the22 Genius Tips To Cut Carbs, According to Experts.

vegetable pasta primavera with carrots zucchini peppers peas

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Additionally, aNutrition & Metabolismstudy found that these resistant starches can promote fat oxidation.

Or, simply eat your pasta leftovers cold!

The likely reason: Veggies boost the amount of satiating fiber on your plate while also adding bulk.

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The result: You’ll likely feel satisfied while taking in fewer calories.

Typically add meat to your lasagna?

Replace half of it with fresh spinach and slices of yellow squash and mushrooms.

Red meat sauce beef penne pasta

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Don’t do that.

As a result, you’ll likely wind up adding even more to your portion once it’s plated.

To healthify your dinner, only sprinkle the cheese on top of the dishafterit’s on your plate.

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Plus, every calorie counts when you’re fighting back against the bulge.

For the top options, don’t miss our exclusive report:40 Best and Worst Pasta Sauces.

The Cheesecake Factory’s chicken-filled take on the dish carries 2,300 calories and 103 grams of saturated fat.

Avocado sauce herb pesto pasta

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That’s the fat equivalent of 51 Chicken McNuggets!

And buying a canned alfredo sauce isn’t much better.

Let’s face it: carbs just aren’t really that filling.

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verify you’re pairing your pasta with at least one digestion-slowing food.

Add Heat

Arrabbiata sauce not only tastes great, but can also help you lose weight.

What gives the classic pasta topper its better-body super powers?

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It’s made with red chili peppers, which contain a spicy, appetite-suppressing compound called capsaicin.

The compound also helps boost thermogenesisthe body’s ability to burn food as energyand keeps your metabolism going strong.

Whip up a homemade version of the sauce yourself or pick up a bottle of Cucina Antica Spicy Arrabbiata.

Spicing up your dishes just happens to be one of the55 Best-Ever Ways to Boost Your Metabolism.