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Small Pasta Calories
Small pasta, quick-cooking and versatile carbohydrate source.
In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
Quick answer
1 serving (small) of Small Pasta (60 g) has 94 calories. That works out to 157 calories per 100 g. It contains 18.4 g of carbs, 3.4 g of protein, 0.5 g of fat and 1.1 g of fiber. Its 9 µg of Selenium covers 16% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 45 (medium), so it raises blood sugar at a moderate pace.
Small Pasta Nutrition Facts
Selected: 1 serving (small) · 60 g
94
KCAL / 60G
Carbs
18.4g
· 7% DV
Protein
3.4g
· 7% DV
Fat
0.5g
· 1% DV
Fiber
1.1g
· 4% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 80% · Protein 15% · Fat 5%
Small Pasta nutrition facts table · 1 serving (small) (60 g)
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 94 kcal | |
| Total fat | 0.5 g | 1% |
| Saturated fat | 0.11 g | 1% |
| Trans fat | 0 g | |
| Sodium | 0.6 mg | 0% |
| Total carbohydrate | 18.4 g | 7% |
| Fiber | 1.1 g | 4% |
| Protein | 3.4 g | 7% |
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 Serving of Small Pasta?
| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 serving (small) | 60 g | 94 kcal |
| 1 piece (mini) | 40 g | 63 kcal |
| 1 cup (small) | 70 g | 110 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 157 kcal |
| 1 serving (medium) | 100 g | 157 kcal |
| 1 cup (medium) | 120 g | 188 kcal |
| 2 serving (double) | 120 g | 188 kcal |
| 1 serving (large) | 150 g | 236 kcal |
| 1 serving (jumbo) | 200 g | 314 kcal |
Calculated from 157 calories per 100 g.
Frequently Asked Questions About Small Pasta
How long does small pasta take to cook?
Small pasta cooks quickly, but the exact time varies by shape and brand. Follow the package directions and taste a piece near the end of cooking; small shapes can turn mushy if left in boiling water too long.
What is small pasta used for?
Small pasta is often used in soups, pasta salads, and one-pot meals because its pieces are easy to eat by the spoonful. Add it near the end of soup cooking so it does not overcook while the broth simmers.
Should you rinse small pasta after cooking?
Usually, no: rinsing small pasta removes surface starch that helps sauce cling. Rinse it under cold water only when you are making a cold pasta salad and want to stop the cooking quickly.
Can small pasta be used in soup?
Yes, small pasta works well in soup. Cook it directly in the broth or boil it separately and add it before serving; cooking separately helps keep the pasta from soaking up too much broth in leftovers.
How do you stop small pasta from sticking together?
Stir small pasta soon after adding it to boiling water, then drain it as soon as it is tender. If you are not serving it immediately, toss it with sauce rather than letting the drained pasta sit in a clump.
What is the best way to make small pasta salad?
Cook small pasta until just tender, drain it, and cool it before adding chopped vegetables and dressing. Mix the dressing in gradually, since small pieces can absorb it quickly and make the salad feel dry or heavy.
What sauces go well with small pasta?
Small pasta pairs well with smooth tomato sauces, pesto, and light creamy sauces that coat its little pieces. For chunky sauces, cut the vegetables small enough that they mix evenly with the pasta.
Can you cook small pasta directly in a sauce?
Yes, small pasta can cook directly in a thin, simmering sauce if there is enough liquid for it to absorb. Stir often and add more liquid as needed; otherwise the sauce may thicken before the pasta is tender.
Can you freeze cooked small pasta?
Yes, cooked small pasta can be frozen, though it may be softer after thawing. Freeze it in meal-sized airtight portions, preferably with sauce, and reheat it thoroughly for a soup or a saucy dish.
How should you store leftover small pasta?
Store leftover small pasta in a covered container in the refrigerator once it has cooled. Keep it separate from soup if possible, since it will continue absorbing broth; add a splash of water or sauce when reheating if it seems dry.
Small Pasta Vitamins & Minerals
Vitamins
B1
0.07mg · 6% DV
B3
0.66mg · 4% DV
B5
0.14mg · 3% DV
B6
0.02mg · 1% DV
Minerals
Selenium
9µg · 16% DV
Manganese
0.13mg · 6% DV
Phosphorus
32mg · 5% DV
Copper
0.04mg · 4% DV
Potassium ⭐
26mg · 1% DV
Sodium
0.6mg · 0% DV
Small Pasta Glycemic Index
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
How to Burn Off Small Pasta
To burn the 94 calories in 1 serving (small) (60 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 Small Pasta?
Small Pasta refers to tiny or short pasta shapes, usually made from wheat flour or semolina. These shapes are part of the Italian pasta tradition and are now used in home cooking around the world. They cook quickly and have a mild flavour with a tender, soft bite, making them easy to pair with other ingredients.
In Italy and elsewhere, small pasta is often stirred into soups, including minestrone, or served in pasta salads and simple sauced dishes. It is mainly a carbohydrate source, with 5.7 g of protein per 100 g. For a more balanced meal, toss it with vegetables and beans, or keep the sauce light and serve it alongside a protein-rich main.
How Nutritious Is Small 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 Small 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 Small Pasta Contain Allergens?
Contains these allergens:
Which Diets Is Small Pasta Good For?
Vegan
— Not suitable
Vegetarian
✓ Suitable
Gluten-Free
— Not suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
— Not suitable
Paleo
— Not suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
— Not suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
Small Pasta Fat Profile
SATURATED
0.11g
MONOUNSATURATED
0.05g
POLYUNSATURATED
0.11g
Omega 6:3 ratio 11:1
Above the ideal 4:1 (11:1).
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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.