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Cardinal pasta Calories
Creamy tomato pasta with cheese
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
Quick answer
1 cup (medium) of Cardinal pasta (220 g) has 370 calories. That works out to 168 calories per 100 g. It contains 49.3 g of carbs, 12.8 g of protein, 13.4 g of fat and 3.7 g of fiber. Its 26.4 µg of Selenium covers 48% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 48 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.
Cardinal pasta Nutrition Facts
Selected: 1 cup (medium) · 220 g
370
KCAL / 220G
Carbs
49.3g
· 18% DV
Protein
12.8g
· 26% DV
Fat
13.4g
· 17% DV
Fiber
3.7g
· 13% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 53% · Protein 14% · Fat 33%
Cardinal pasta nutrition facts table · 1 cup (medium) (220 g)
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 370 kcal | |
| Total fat | 13.4 g | 17% |
| Saturated fat | 4.62 g | 23% |
| Trans fat | 0.18 g | |
| Sodium | 638 mg | 28% |
| Total carbohydrate | 49.3 g | 18% |
| Fiber | 3.7 g | 13% |
| Protein | 12.8 g | 26% |
Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.
Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.
Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.
Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.
Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.
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How Many Calories in 1 Cup of Cardinal pasta?
| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cup (medium) | 220 g | 370 kcal |
| 1 ounce (extra small) | 28 g | 47 kcal |
| 1 piece (mini) | 90 g | 151 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 168 kcal |
| 1 serving (small) | 160 g | 269 kcal |
| 2 piece (double) | 180 g | 302 kcal |
| 1 serving (large) | 260 g | 437 kcal |
| 1 cup (large) | 300 g | 504 kcal |
Calculated from 168 calories per 100 g.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cardinal pasta
What is Cardinal pasta?
Cardinal pasta is a creamy tomato pasta dish made with cheese. Recipes can vary, but the defining combination is tomato sauce and a creamy element tossed with cooked pasta, usually served warm.
Is Cardinal pasta a traditional Italian dish?
Cardinal pasta is not a single, widely standardized Italian classic with one agreed recipe. The name is used for creamy tomato-and-cheese pasta preparations, so its ingredients and origin may vary between restaurants and home cooks.
How do you make Cardinal pasta sauce creamy?
To make Cardinal pasta sauce creamy, stir cream into the cooked tomato sauce over low heat, then add cheese and cooked pasta. Avoid boiling the sauce hard after adding dairy, which can make it separate.
Can you make Cardinal pasta with fresh tomatoes?
Yes, fresh tomatoes work in Cardinal pasta. Cook them until soft and reduced before adding cream and cheese, so their extra moisture does not leave the sauce watery; ripe tomatoes give the sauce a fuller flavor.
Which cheese melts best in Cardinal pasta?
A cheese that melts smoothly works best in Cardinal pasta, but there is no single required variety. Add it gradually off high heat, since very hot sauce can make some cheeses turn stringy or oily.
Should Cardinal pasta be made with penne or a different shape?
Cardinal pasta does not require one specific shape. Penne, fusilli, and other short pasta are convenient because they hold the creamy tomato sauce, while long pasta can also work if thoroughly coated.
Can you make Cardinal pasta spicy?
Yes, you can make Cardinal pasta spicy by adding chili flakes or fresh chili to the tomato sauce as it cooks. Add a small amount first, then adjust before mixing in the pasta and cheese.
Can Cardinal pasta be frozen?
Cardinal pasta can be frozen, but its creamy sauce may separate or become grainy after thawing. Freeze it in an airtight container, thaw it in the refrigerator, and reheat gently while stirring to bring the sauce together.
Can you prepare Cardinal pasta ahead of time?
Yes, prepare the sauce ahead and store it separately from the cooked pasta when possible. Combine them shortly before serving; this helps the pasta keep its texture instead of soaking up the sauce and becoming soft.
What goes well with Cardinal pasta?
A crisp green salad or simply cooked vegetables pair well with Cardinal pasta. Their fresh, lighter flavors balance the rich tomato-and-cheese sauce without competing with it, making them easy sides for a meal.
Cardinal pasta Vitamins & Minerals
Vitamins
B12
0.4µg · 17% DV
Biotin
4.62µg · 15% DV
B2
0.2mg · 15% DV
B3
2.42mg · 15% DV
Minerals
Selenium
26µg · 47% DV
Phosphorus
211mg · 30% DV
Sodium
638mg · 28% DV
Manganese
0.53mg · 23% DV
Potassium ⭐
308mg · 9% DV
Cardinal pasta Glycemic Index
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
How to Burn Off Cardinal pasta
To burn the 370 calories in 1 cup (medium) (220 g):
🚶
Walking (5 km/h)
🏃
Running (8 km/h)
🚴
Cycling
🏊
Swimming
Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.
What is Cardinal pasta?
Cardinal pasta is pasta coated in a creamy tomato sauce and finished with cheese. The name does not point to one universally standardised regional recipe, so the exact sauce and cheese can vary from one version to another.
Serve it hot as a straightforward main meal or a substantial side. Its soft, creamy texture balances the tang of tomato and savoury cheese; a green salad or roasted vegetables make an easy accompaniment. It is mainly a carbohydrate-based dish, with some protein from the pasta and cheese. For a lighter plate, use a little less cream and cheese and add vegetables such as spinach, peppers or mushrooms.
How Nutritious Is Cardinal pasta?
Nutrient density
Low
How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.
Satiety score
Medium
An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.
Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.
Is Cardinal pasta Processed?
NOVA 3
Processed
1. Unprocessed
2. Minimally Processed
3. Processed
4. Ultra-Processed
NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.
Does Cardinal pasta Contain Allergens?
Contains these allergens:
Which Diets Is Cardinal pasta Good For?
Vegan
— Not suitable
Vegetarian
✓ Suitable
Gluten-Free
— Not suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
✓ Suitable
Paleo
— Not suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
— Not suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
Cardinal pasta Fat Profile
SATURATED
4.62g
MONOUNSATURATED
4.4g
POLYUNSATURATED
1.98g
Omega 6:3 ratio 19.1:1
Above the ideal 4:1 (19.1:1).
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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.