How to Pump Up Your Pasta with Protein | Share the Pasta (2024)

How to Pump Up Your Pasta with Protein | Share the Pasta (1)

Protein is an essential nutrient required for your body to run smoothly and efficiently. Among its many benefits, protein is required for healthy skin and hair, strong muscles and bones and fighting off illnesses by keeping your immune system in tip top shape. When it comes to eating, high-protein foods can satisfy a hungry appetite. They can also keep you feeling full longer so you are less likely to overeat. For those people concerned about protein intake or looking for ways to increase protein in your diet, pasta is a perfect food to help pump up your intake. Here are some of our tips for adding a dose of protein to your meals:

  • Meat lovers – Add some lean poultry to pasta for an extra protein boost. In addition to a high protein content, chicken and turkey also provide a number of vitamins and minerals like B vitamins (especially B6 and niacin) and selenium and zinc. Low in fat and calories, lean chicken and turkey is a favorite among body builders. Check out our poultry recipes.
  • Vegetarians – Fill up on protein by adding in protein-rich plant foods. Some of the best sources in the plant world include beans, legumes, lentils, soy like tofu or edamame, seeds and nuts and some whole grains like quinoa. Certain vegetables also contain small amounts of protein like zucchini, kale and collards (think leafy greens). Pasta Fits has plenty of vegetarian and vegan recipes where you can look through veggie filled recipes to find exactly what you’re looking for.
  • Seafood – If you like fish, salmon is a healthy choice for adding in protein. It also features omega 3 fats. Check out our salmon recipes.
  • Eggs – Eggs are an exceptional sources of protein and easy to supplement in to meals. Making a breakfast pasta is a great option for adding in protein filled eggs early in the day!
  • Cheese – What better way to finish off a pasta dish than with a sprinkling of cheese? You can find protein in some cheeses like Parmesan, Romano, low-fat swiss, and low-fat cheddar which are all easy to sprinkle on your favorite pasta dish! Choose full-flavored sharper cheeses when possible because a little goes a long way.

For more pasta recipes, visit our recipe page.

November 30, 2017

How to Pump Up Your Pasta with Protein | Share the Pasta (2024)

FAQs

How to Pump Up Your Pasta with Protein | Share the Pasta? ›

Mixing cannellini beans or chickpeas, or any type of bean for that matter, into your noodle dishes can help add 6 to 8 grams of protein per 1/2-cup serving. Not only are you getting plant-based protein by embracing beans, but you're also getting a dose of fiber and important vitamins like folate.

How do I get more protein in my pasta? ›

Mixing cannellini beans or chickpeas, or any type of bean for that matter, into your noodle dishes can help add 6 to 8 grams of protein per 1/2-cup serving. Not only are you getting plant-based protein by embracing beans, but you're also getting a dose of fiber and important vitamins like folate.

What can you add to pasta to make a complete protein? ›

Any one of the following plant foods can be added to make a pasta dish a complete protein: Legumes (with the exception of soy) such as peas, and beans, including those that are dried, processed or baked.

What is often added to pasta to make it high protein? ›

Traditional pasta is crafted from wheat flour, but some brands enhance the protein content of their wheat-based pasta by incorporating protein-rich ingredients. These additions may encompass a combination of ingredients such as soy protein concentrate, lentils, chickpeas, and lupin bean flour.

What is the best protein content flour for pasta? ›

Semolina or durum wheat: best flour for egg free pasta

Durum wheat semolina is an exceptionally high protein flour with somewhere between 13%-14% protein content. This type of flour can be ground in different ways but usually is ground medium-fine for pasta making purposes.

What does more egg do to pasta? ›

The more egg white, the more pliable the dough; the more yolk, the richer the pasta will be. There are endless variations, but for a dough that works every time use: 1 whole egg plus 2 yolks for every 150g of flour.

What is the difference between pasta and protein pasta? ›

Unlike the regular pasta, protein pasta is not high on carbohydrate at all. If you are looking to reduce your carb-intake, then, it is an excellent option. With its characteristic combination of protein and complex carbohydrate, eating protein pasta will give you an unrivaled energy pump.

Can I put protein powder in pasta? ›

Do you feel that pasta dishes can sometimes be overloaded with carbohydrates and lack protein? If so, try this creamy savoury Pasta Alfredo boosted with protein power. Whey protein powder is a great way to add protein to your daily diet.

Is protein pasta good for weight loss? ›

Studies have shown that protein pasta is good for weight loss. This is because eating meals high in protein can help you stay in a caloric deficit by keeping you full for longer.

What is high protein pasta made of? ›

Made with delicious golden wheat and protein from lentils, chickpeas, and peas, Barilla Protein+® pasta provides a good source of protein for the whole family with 17g of protein per 3.5oz serving.

Does homemade pasta have more protein? ›

One cup of whole-wheat dried pasta from the store contains, on average, 8 grams of protein. Meanwhile, one cup serving of freshly made egg pasta prepared at home with a pasta maker contains a similar level of protein too.

How long to cook protein pasta? ›

COOKING YOUR PASTA

Cook Barilla Protein+® Penne in boiling water for 8 minutes, then drain and serve according to the recipe directions. For more tender pasta, boil an additional minute. Due to its higher protein content, Protein+® takes several more minutes to cook than traditional pasta.

Does cooking pasta in broth add protein? ›

If your child likes to eat plain pasta then try this simple hack of cooking it in bone broth. It adds protein, collagen and amino acids to make their favourite food a little healthier.

Where does pasta get its protein? ›

In order to obtain pasta with high nutritional protein value and with excellent cooking properties, various recipes have been formulated with different percentages of semolina and unconventional high-protein raw materials (peas and soy isolate proteins, egg white, whey proteins and Spirulina platensis).

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Pres. Carey Rath

Last Updated:

Views: 6108

Rating: 4 / 5 (61 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Pres. Carey Rath

Birthday: 1997-03-06

Address: 14955 Ledner Trail, East Rodrickfort, NE 85127-8369

Phone: +18682428114917

Job: National Technology Representative

Hobby: Sand art, Drama, Web surfing, Cycling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Leather crafting, Creative writing

Introduction: My name is Pres. Carey Rath, I am a faithful, funny, vast, joyous, lively, brave, glamorous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.