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Noodles come in clutch for quick, inexpensive weeknight cooking, but they often leave you hungry soon after.
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Which made us wonder: What options are there for high-protein pasta thatcanfill you up and leave you satisfied?
Traditional, white flour options come in at less, at roughly six grams per cooked cup.
But whats the best way to turn that plate of pasta into a high-protein dinner?
Here are some additions they use to shortcut their way to high-protein pasta meals on the reg.
Mash canned beans into marinara sauce.
Bean-forward pasta recipes arent your only option, though.
There are stealthy ways to include legumes in your go-to noodle dish without drastically changing the way it tastes.
Blitz silken tofu into a cream sauce.
Silken tofu in particular is a boon for building creamy pasta sauces sans real-deal dairy, Shariat says.
Put a fried egg on top.
Steam spinach into your favorite recipe.
That means they certainlyhelpyou get closer to the recommended amount per meal, says Peruvemba.
One option she particularly loves using in pasta?Spinach.
Dont fret if you dont have fresh spinach on hand either.
Add broccoli florets for a protein-rich spin on primavera pasta.
This is another place where using the frozen alternative will both cost less and save you time.
Turn to pesto in a pinch.
Cant find it in store?
Make a plant-based bolognese thats also protein-rich with lentils.
Cant imagine your bolo without meat?
Shred up rotisserie chicken for your next linguine Alfredo.
Try stirring it into mac and cheese, vodka sauce penne, or even into a quick pasta salad.
Make a creamy tomato sauce with cottage cheese.
It works great in baked pasta dishes like lasagna or even stirred into tomato-based sauces, Lopez says.
Crack open a can of tuna or sardines.
And such options are often cheaper to boot.
Finish your dish with crunchy, toasted walnuts.
Dont skimp on the Parmesan.
Parmesan adds: 2 grams protein per 1 tablespoon
Youre probably already adding Parm to some (all?)
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