20 Must-Try Menu Items for Carb Lovers

Article posted in: Nutrisystem

You love pasta. You might love pizza even more. No need to choose your favorite: With Nutrisystem, you can enjoy all of these delicious carb-y foods.

Our goal is to create perfectly portioned versions of all of the classic choices you love. We cook up alternatives that are made with quality ingredients and packed with protein, fiber and nutrition. If you’re a carb lover, these well-balanced meals will keep you on track with your weight loss goals while filling you up with the flavors you crave.

Stock up your kitchen with these 20 must-try menu items:

1. Margherita Pizza

Margherita Pizza

This classic pie offers a crispy crust, zesty marinara, creamy mozzarella, fire-roasted tomatoes and fresh basil leaves—all for far fewer calories and fat than the slice you can order at your local pizza place. Plus, it’s packed with protein and fiber to leave you feeling satisfied and your taste buds happy.

2. Three Cheese Chicken

Add this dish to your weekday lunch rotation for three very good reasons: the pasta is curly, the cheese sauce is creamy and the chicken is super satisfying. This combination, along with bits of broccoli and tomato, creates a delicious dish you can feel good about eating.

3. Chicken Parmesan

Quintessential carb comfort food that won’t derail your weight loss? It exists in this dish. Breaded chicken topped with tomato sauce, melted mozzarella and tangy Asiago cheese is served over a bed of spaghetti—all in one perfectly portioned package. It’s also high in protein to help fill your belly while keeping your waist trim.

4. Italian Sausage and Turkey Pepperoni Pizza

Nutrisystem members love this pie. And it’s no wonder why! There’s turkey sausage, pepperoni, zesty tomato sauce and melted cheese all piled high on a thick, hearty crust. Bake it in the oven for the crunch of a pizzeria-style pie without all of the calories and fat. This meat lover’s meal is also high in protein!

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5. Garlic Cheese Flatbread

If you love a good flatbread, this one doesn’t disappoint! A buttery garlic sauce is drizzled over a thin, whole-wheat crust and topped with a sprinkle of cheese. It’s simply delicious all on its own. However, it can also serve as the perfect base for some sautéed peppers, onions, mushrooms and other non-starchy veggies. This versatile flatbread contains 250 calories, 10 grams of protein and five grams of satisfying fiber.

6. Ravioli with Meat Sauce

Mamma mia are you going to love this meal. Each tender ravioli is stuffed with the perfect trio of cheese—ricotta, mozzarella and Romano—and smothered in a hearty meat sauce. At only 220 calories, you can savor every square of pasta without an ounce of guilt.

7. Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

Nothing about “alfredo” sounds weight loss friendly. Rich and delicious? Yes. Healthy? Not so much. That is, until this version came along. Enjoy beautiful strands of fettuccini and tender pieces of chicken coated in a creamy blend of parmesan and Romano for only 220 calories. Plus, the dish packs in a whopping 18 grams of protein without sacrificing any flavor.

8. Rotini and Meatballs

This carb lover’s paradise has all the makings of a classic plate of pasta, such as rotini, flavorful crushed tomatoes, hearty meatballs and a pinch of parmesan. It’s loaded with protein and contains three grams of fiber, making it the perfect choice when you’re craving carbs (and not calories).

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9. Thick Crust Pizza

If pizza tops your list of favorite foods, you won’t be able to resist this thick crust pie. Lucky for you, you don’t have to. Sink your teeth into a hearty slice, then feel free to have another. In fact, you can enjoy the whole pie all to yourself. Topped with melted mozzarella, zesty sauce and Italian herbs, this cheesy carb goodness offers 10 grams of protein at only 230 calories.

10. Loaded Potato

This spud is mashed and loaded with cheddar, blue cheese and crunchy bacon bits to satisfy your protein needs, carb cravings and taste bud pleasures. All of that flavor is just 210 calories and less than five grams of fat.

11. Ravioli Formaggio

Inside each ravioli is a creamy blend of cheese. On top, a robust red sauce flavored with onion, garlic and Italian spices. And in your belly, a satisfying pasta dinner that’s high in protein (with 14 grams) and low in calories (270, to be exact).

12. White Cheddar Mac and Cheese

Nothing is more comforting than a bowl of cheesy carb goodness. The white cheddar sauce is thick and creamy, with each serving providing three grams of fiber and 10 grams of muscle-building protein. For extra nutrition and flavor, add your favorite non-starchy veggie like broccoli or spinach.

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13. Spicy Kung Pao Noodles

Stock up on this delightful Spicy Kung Pao Noodle dish for a satisfying lunch experience. These Asian-style noodles are bathed in a tantalizingly spicy soy sauce infused with rich flavors of garlic, shallots, fiery chili peppers, green onion, and topped off with a generous sprinkle of crunchy peanuts. The harmonious blend of these ingredients creates a lunchtime masterpiece that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more.

14. Mediterranean Flatbread

Take your taste buds on a Mediterranean journey from your kitchen! Indulge in our signature quinoa crust topped with feta cheese, black olives and ripe tomatoes. This sophisticated yet simple flatbread not only delights your palate but also aids in healthy weight management. Enjoy a burst of flavors in every bite!

15. Swedish-Style Meatballs with Green Beans

Satisfy your craving for delicious Swedish meatballs without the trip to the furniture store café. Indulge in our perfectly cooked Swedish-style meatballs drenched in a savory mushroom cream sauce. Enjoy them atop tender fettuccine pasta with green beans for a meal that outshines the typical store-made version. Plus, no assembly needed!

16. Bistro-Style Toasted Ravioli

No skimping on the cheese here! These beautiful ravioli are stuffed to the brim with a delicious mixture of creamy ricotta, parmesan and mozzarella. Finished in a crispy coating of seasoned bread crumbs, this restaurant-inspired dish is a good source of protein.

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17. Chicken Bianca Pizza

Step aside standard cheese pizza! This gourmet pie combines our light cream sauce with fresh mozzarella, sharp asiago, ripe cherry tomatoes, spinach and white meat chicken. The flavor is amazing. Finished with a dash of garlic and basil, it all comes together atop a crisp, whole wheat crust.

18. Mac and Cheese

A nostalgic and heartwarming comfort food favorite that will bring out the inner child in you! Picture this: tender elbow macaroni pasta enveloped in a rich, velvety smooth cheddar cheese sauce, perfectly seasoned to create a harmonious symphony of flavors that will surely satisfy your cravings.

19. Red Pepper Chicken and Pasta Sauté

Buon appetito! That’s Italian for ‘good appetite’ or ‘enjoy your meal.’ With cavatappi pasta smothered in a savory roasted red pepper sauce, you certainly will. This hearty plate of pasta is packed with protein, featuring char-grilled chicken breast, grilled red bell peppers and tender asparagus.

20. Caramelized Onion, Mushroom and Turkey Sausage Pizza

Indulge in a quick, gourmet pizza experience at home! Skip the wait and savor a cheesy pie straight from your oven. Featuring caramelized onions, mushrooms, zesty turkey sausage, mozzarella and tangy tomato sauce, this pizza satisfies your cravings in minutes. Enjoy the convenience and deliciousness without the long delivery time.