Ready & Packaged Foods
All →Vegetables & Legumes
All →Desserts & Confectionery
All →Meat & Protein
All →Grains & Bakery
All →Beverages
All →Milk & Dairy
All →
Low-fat cheese penne pasta Calories
Lower-fat pasta dish providing protein and calcium
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
Quick answer
1 cup (medium) of Low-fat cheese penne pasta (180 g) has 295 calories. That works out to 164 calories per 100 g. It contains 46.4 g of carbs, 14.6 g of protein, 5.8 g of fat and 2.7 g of fiber. Its 29.2 µg of Selenium covers 53% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 52 (medium), so it raises blood sugar at a moderate pace.
Low-fat cheese penne pasta Nutrition Facts
Selected: 1 cup (medium) · 180 g
295
KCAL / 180G
Carbs
46.4g
· 17% DV
Protein
14.6g
· 29% DV
Fat
5.8g
· 7% DV
Fiber
2.7g
· 10% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 63% · Protein 20% · Fat 17%
Low-fat cheese penne pasta nutrition facts table · 1 cup (medium) (180 g)
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 295 kcal | |
| Total fat | 5.8 g | 7% |
| Saturated fat | 2.77 g | 14% |
| Trans fat | 0.09 g | |
| Sodium | 511 mg | 22% |
| Total carbohydrate | 46.4 g | 17% |
| Fiber | 2.7 g | 10% |
| Protein | 14.6 g | 29% |
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.
Log this food in EatBetter
100,000+ people use it
- Get your daily calorie target
- Snap your meal, log it in seconds
- See every vitamin and mineral
📸 Scan the code to get the app free.
How Many Calories in 1 Cup of Low-fat cheese penne pasta?
| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cup (medium) | 180 g | 295 kcal |
| ½ cup (small) | 90 g | 148 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 164 kcal |
| 1 serving (small) | 150 g | 246 kcal |
| 1 serving (large) | 250 g | 410 kcal |
| 1.5 cup (large) | 270 g | 443 kcal |
| 1 pack (medium) | 300 g | 492 kcal |
| 2 cup (extra large) | 360 g | 590 kcal |
Calculated from 164 calories per 100 g.
Frequently Asked Questions About Low-fat cheese penne pasta
How do you make low-fat cheese penne pasta?
Cook the penne until just tender, then drain it and stir in grated low-fat cheese with a splash of reserved pasta water. Take the pan off the heat before adding the cheese; gentle heat helps it melt without turning grainy.
What cheese melts best in low-fat cheese penne pasta?
A reduced-fat mozzarella or a low-fat cheese made for melting works well in low-fat cheese penne pasta. Reduced-fat cheeses can melt less smoothly than full-fat varieties, so add them off the heat and loosen the sauce with pasta water.
Can you bake low-fat cheese penne pasta?
Yes. Mix cooked penne with the cheese and a little milk or pasta water, transfer it to an oven-safe dish, and bake until hot and lightly browned. Avoid baking it for too long, since low-fat cheese can dry out more easily.
Why does low-fat cheese penne pasta turn dry?
Low-fat cheese penne pasta can dry out when it is overbaked or reheated without extra liquid. Stir in a splash of milk, water, or pasta water before warming it, and stop cooking once the cheese has melted and the pasta is hot.
What sauce goes with low-fat cheese penne pasta?
A light tomato sauce, garlic-and-herb sauce, or a small amount of milk-based sauce pairs well with low-fat cheese penne pasta. Keep the sauce fairly light so it complements rather than overwhelms the cheese.
Can you make low-fat cheese penne pasta ahead of time?
Yes, you can cook low-fat cheese penne pasta ahead and refrigerate it in a covered container. For the best texture, store it promptly after cooking and add a little milk or water when reheating, since the pasta absorbs sauce as it sits.
How long does low-fat cheese penne pasta last in the fridge?
Low-fat cheese penne pasta keeps for about three to four days in the refrigerator when stored promptly in a covered container. Refrigerate leftovers within two hours of cooking, and reheat only the portion you plan to eat.
What can you serve with low-fat cheese penne pasta?
Serve low-fat cheese penne pasta with a crisp green salad, roasted vegetables, or steamed broccoli. Fresh, lightly dressed vegetables balance the creamy, cheesy pasta without adding another rich dish to the meal.
Can you add vegetables to low-fat cheese penne pasta?
Yes. Spinach, mushrooms, broccoli, and zucchini all work in low-fat cheese penne pasta. Cook vegetables that release water first, then combine them with the pasta and cheese so the finished sauce does not become watery.
How do you stop low-fat cheese penne pasta from becoming lumpy?
To keep low-fat cheese penne pasta smooth, grate the cheese finely and stir it in after removing the pan from the heat. Add it gradually with a little hot pasta water; boiling the cheese directly can make the sauce clump.
Low-fat cheese penne pasta Vitamins & Minerals
Vitamins
B1
0.29mg · 24% DV
Folate
88.2µg · 22% DV
B12
0.5µg · 21% DV
B2
0.25mg · 19% DV
Minerals
Selenium
29µg · 53% DV
Phosphorus
277mg · 40% DV
Calcium
238mg · 24% DV
Sodium
511mg · 22% DV
Potassium ⭐
164mg · 5% DV
Low-fat cheese penne pasta Glycemic Index
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
How to Burn Off Low-fat cheese penne pasta
To burn the 295 calories in 1 cup (medium) (180 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 Low-fat cheese penne pasta?
Low-fat cheese penne pasta combines penne—short, ridged tubes from Italian cooking—with cheese made with less fat. It is a straightforward pasta dish rather than a single fixed recipe, so the cheese and any additions can vary from one kitchen to another.
Serve it warm as a simple lunch or dinner; a green salad or cooked vegetables make an easy accompaniment. The cheese contributes protein and calcium, while choosing lower-fat cheese keeps the dish lighter than richer cheese pastas. It provides 8.1 g of protein per 100 g. Add vegetables for extra variety, or keep the sauce modest if you want the cheese and pasta to remain the focus.
How Nutritious Is Low-fat cheese penne pasta?
Nutrient density
Medium
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 Low-fat cheese penne 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 Low-fat cheese penne pasta Contain Allergens?
Contains these allergens:
Which Diets Is Low-fat cheese penne 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
Low-fat cheese penne pasta Fat Profile
SATURATED
2.77g
MONOUNSATURATED
1.42g
POLYUNSATURATED
0.76g
Omega 6:3 ratio 9.7:1
Above the ideal 4:1 (9.7:1).
Compare Low-fat cheese penne pasta
Foods Similar to Low-fat cheese penne pasta
Have another question about Low-fat cheese penne pasta?
Ask the AI nutrition coach — calories, portions, alternatives and more, answered in seconds in the app.
Scan calories with your camera
Instant AI nutrition analysis
Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.