Pasta with cream sauce, meat, and added vegetables, home recipe
Common food
A comforting home-cooked pasta dish where al dente noodles are coated in a rich, velvety cream sauce, studded with savory meat and tender vegetables. The texture is a satisfying blend of creamy, chewy, and hearty. Nutritionally, it provides a balanced mix of protein and carbs with a moderate fat content.
Calorie split: 16% protein · 45% carbs · 39% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its rich, savory flavor and creamy, comforting texture that makes it a classic comfort food. Its versatility allows for endless variations, from different meats to seasonal vegetables, making it a adaptable family favorite.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The cream sauce can be high in saturated fat and calories, and the dish may cause blood-sugar spikes due to its refined carbohydrate base. To counteract this, pair it with a side salad to increase fiber, use whole-grain pasta, or opt for a lighter sauce with Greek yogurt or broth.
Key benefits
- Provides a complete meal with protein, carbs, and fat.
- Contains vegetables for added fiber and micronutrients.
- High in energy, suitable for active individuals.
- Can be customized with various vegetables for different nutrients.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The classic Alfredo sauce, a staple of creamy pasta, was originally just butter and Parmigiano-Reggiano, with cream added later in American adaptations.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 69.5 g |
| Energy | 153 kcal |
| Protein | 6.1 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 6.5 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 17.0 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.1 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.86 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 27.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.93 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 14.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 68.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 90.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 200 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.95 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.08 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 17.1 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 4.2 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.15 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.13 mg |
| Niacin | 1.5 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.08 mg |
| Folate, total | 42.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 34.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 8.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 66.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 13.6 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.27 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 45.0 ug |
| Retinol | 41.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 38.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 1.0 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 9.0 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 51.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.18 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.20 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.90 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 3.2 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.10 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.08 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.05 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.11 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.14 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.46 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.6 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.59 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 1.7 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.13 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 1.6 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.41 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.31 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 21.0 mg |
FAQ
Is this dish high in calories?
At 153 kcal per 100g, it's moderately calorie-dense, primarily from the cream sauce and pasta. Portion control is key for calorie management.
Can I make it healthier?
Yes, use whole-wheat or legume-based pasta, swap some cream for low-fat milk or broth, and increase the proportion of vegetables.
What meat works best?
Chicken, ground beef, Italian sausage, or pancetta are popular choices, each adding a distinct flavor profile.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 1.53 kcal/g · 16% calories from protein · 1.1 g fiber · 0.9 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 2.22 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.