Pasta with tomato-based sauce and poultry, restaurant
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a classic comfort dish of tender pasta coated in a rich, savory tomato sauce with shredded or diced poultry, typically chicken or turkey. The texture is a satisfying mix of soft noodles and tender meat, with the sauce providing a bright, slightly tangy and savory backbone. Nutritionally, it's a balanced meal offering a good source of protein and carbohydrates, with a moderate fat content.
Calorie split: 13% protein · 42% carbs · 45% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its deep, familiar flavors—the savory umami of the meat melding with the sweet and tangy tomato sauce—and its comforting, hearty texture. It's a versatile canvas that can be adapted with countless herbs, spices, and vegetable additions.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The dish can be high in sodium, especially with canned sauces or restaurant preparations, and the refined pasta may cause blood-sugar spikes for some. To counteract this, opt for whole-grain pasta, control portion sizes, and boost fiber by adding extra vegetables like spinach or bell peppers to the sauce.
Key benefits
- Provides a good balance of protein and carbohydrates for sustained energy.
- Tomato sauce is a source of the antioxidant lycopene.
- Poultry is a lean source of high-quality protein.
- Can be a relatively lower-calorie comfort food option compared to cream-based pasta dishes.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The classic Italian dish 'Pasta al Pomodoro con Pollo' is often a way to use leftover roast chicken, making it a historic 'clean-out-the-fridge' meal.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 66.9 g |
| Energy | 171 kcal |
| Protein | 5.6 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 8.5 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 17.7 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.5 g |
| Total Sugars | 2.3 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 15.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.99 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 17.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 61.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 161 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 382 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.51 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.09 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 15.3 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.70 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.15 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.10 mg |
| Niacin | 3.0 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.12 mg |
| Folate, total | 41.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 32.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 9.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 62.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 13.8 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.09 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 13.0 ug |
| Retinol | 1.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 141 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 4602 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 72.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 2.2 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 11.9 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 1.2 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.88 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.26 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 3.3 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.05 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 3.2 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.05 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 3.1 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 2.8 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.35 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 | 9.0 mg |
FAQ
Is this dish healthy?
It can be a balanced part of a healthy diet. The protein from poultry and carbohydrates from pasta provide energy. To maximize health benefits, choose whole-grain pasta, use a low-sugar tomato sauce, and load it with vegetables.
How can I make it lighter?
Use whole-wheat or legume-based pasta for more fiber. Choose skinless poultry and trim excess fat. Incorporate plenty of vegetables like mushrooms, onions, and zucchini into the sauce to add volume and nutrients without many calories.
Is it suitable for meal prep?
Yes, it's excellent for meal prep. Store the cooked pasta and sauce separately to prevent sogginess, then combine when reheating. It typically keeps well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
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 1.71 kcal/g · 13% calories from protein · 1.5 g fiber · 2.3 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: 2.37 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.