3 healthier-for-you takes on the infamous TikTok pasta

Since the rise of TikTok, we haven’t stopped drooling (or eating). From dalgona coffee to hot chocolate bombs to salmon rice bowls, there truly are no shortages of delicious, easy-to-make meals. That’s why when the viral oven-baked feta pasta made its way to our feeds, we knew we had to try it. Pasta, tomatoes, feta, and olive oil—that’s it. What’s not to love?  

We’d be lying if we said we didn’t have this simple recipe on repeat (no shame). 

At Noom, we believe that no foods are off-limits (yes, you can enjoy all of your favorite pastas). We also believe that rather than eliminating foods from your diet, improving your health is about adding nutrition to your diet. So, we thought, why not apply this philosophy to TikTok’s beloved feta pasta?

Behold: 3 ways to elevate your (feta) pasta

There are always opportunities to add nutrition to any meal. These three ideas can be applied to any pasta dish—feta or otherwise—and will leave you feeling more satisfied. 

1. Make it nutrient-dense

Adding Noom green foods to your meal is always a good idea. Notice the vegetables sitting in your fridge that you bought earlier this week when you felt more ambitious to cook than you might be feeling now? They’re begging to be incorporated into your pasta dish. Add 1 to 2 cups of spinach, mushrooms, or any other low caloric density veggies you have on hand to feel full sooner. 

2. Incorporate more fiber

The traditional TikTok pasta calls for regular noodles of your choice. Swap regular pasta for whole wheat pasta, spaghetti squash, zucchini noodles, chickpea pasta, or black bean pasta. This swap will add a boost of fiber to your plate and your digestive tract will thank you later.

3. Add extra protein

While you’ll get some protein from the feta cheese and pasta, overall, this recipe is pretty low in protein. Not only is protein good for building and maintaining muscle, but it’s also the most satiating macronutrient. So, if you add your favorite protein to this recipe, you’ll leave the table feeling more satisfied. We love this recipe with shrimp, but it’s also great with grilled chicken, baked tofu, or chickpeas.

What healthier-for-you take are you going to try today? 

PS. If you’re looking for more healthy meal inspiration, be sure to check out the recipes section on the Noom app—we’re continuously adding new meals for you to try.