Kidney-Friendly Pasta Recipes for a Renal Diet

By Andrea Cohen
Published 2/22/2026
Dietitian Reviewed: Rachel Comstock, MS, RDN
In This Article
Kidney-Friendly Pasta Recipes for a Renal Diet
Photo Credit: Adobe Stock

Pasta can be a comforting food and is a surprisingly kidney-friendly option when prepared thoughtfully. Many varieties of pasta are naturally low in potassium, sodium, and phosphorus, and can also be high in fiber with some added protein. That’s why when paired with low-potassium vegetables, lean proteins, and homemade sauces, kidney-friendly pasta recipes can be a delicious dinner choice for those following a renal diet.

Tips for Making Renal Diet Pasta Recipes

With the right ingredients and portions, there are endless varieties of pasta dishes that can be enjoyed on a renal diet. Making simple swaps, such as using flavorful olive-oil based sauces instead of tomato-based sauces, can lower the amount of potassium in any pasta dish. Adding herbs and spices instead of salt can be beneficial for your heart and your kidneys. And reducing the amount of cheese and heavy cream can help you avoid excess phosphorus, sodium, and saturated fat. By making these types of adjustments to your pasta dishes, you’ll find that enjoying pasta can be one of the simplest and safest options if you’re following a renal diet. 

If you’re not sure what types of pasta dishes work best on a renal diet, give one of these kidney-friendly pasta recipes a try. They’ve been developed by Health eCooks chefs and approved by our registered dietitians to align with a renal diet so there’s no guesswork involved in figuring out if they’re safe to eat when you’re concerned about kidney health. And you’ll find they’re delicious and easy to make, too!

5 Pasta Recipes That Are Kidney-Friendly

These renal pasta recipes are not only gentle on your kidneys but are delicious and nutritious. Whether you’re craving comfort food or are looking for a family-friendly meal idea that everyone will enjoy, you’ll find something worth cooking here. And since they’ve all been approved for a kidney-friendly diet, you can enjoy these pasta recipes along with everyone at the table.

  1. 01

    Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

    Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
    Photo Credit: Jessica Kielman, Baldwin Publishing
    35 mins

    Opting for an olive-oil based sauce rather than a traditional tomato sauce keeps this dish at 503 mg of potassium. Substituting almond milk for regular milk also keeps it low in phosphorus with only 202 mg of phosphorus per serving. Chicken adds a good source of protein, adding to a balanced meal, which is important if you’re on a renal diet.

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  2. 02

    Low Sodium Mac and Cheese

    Low Sodium Mac and Cheese
    Photo Credit: Jessica Kielman, Baldwin Publishing
    30 mins

    Mac and Cheese might seem off limits for people with chronic kidney disease, but with a few swaps it can easily be made kidney friendly. Most of the phosphorus and sodium in traditional mac and cheese comes from the hefty portion of cheese added to the sauce. But nutritional yeast is used in this recipe to add a classic cheesy flavor, which significantly reduces the amount of phosphorus. This recipe contains only 122 mg of phosphorus and 192 mg of potassium, keeping this classic recipe kidney-friendly.

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  3. 03

    Chicken Pot Pie Pasta Casserole

    Healthy Chicken Pot Pie Casserole
    Photo Credit: Adam Fisher, Baldwin Publishing
    185 mins

    Chicken pot pie is not typically the first meal people think of when preparing kidney-friendly foods. Regular chicken pot pie is loaded with salt and is full of potatoes, which are high in potassium. But when turned into a low-sodium pasta dish, you can enjoy the traditional flavors of chicken pot pie while keeping this recipe to 243 mg of phosphorus and 470 mg of potassium.

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  4. 04

    Creamy Lemon Pasta with Mussels

    Heart Healthy Creamy Lemon Pasta with Mussels
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    30 mins

    “Creamy” pasta might not be thought of as safe for someone on a renal diet, since the phosphorus found in most creamy pastas can be quite high. But this pasta stays rich and creamy without the need for heavy cream or cheese. Low in sodium, and with 409 mg of potassium and 279 mg of phosphorus, this indulgent pasta can be enjoyed on a kidney-friendly diet.

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  5. 05

    Beef Stroganoff with Mushroom Gravy

    Healthy Beef Stroganoff
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    45 mins

    This recipe is a great example of how a few small swaps can turn pasta recipes into kidney-friendly options. Choosing unsalted beef broth and reduced sodium Worcestershire sauce keeps the sodium low in this recipe. And at 478 mg of potassium and 241 mg of phosphorus, this recipe can be safely enjoyed on a kidney-friendly diet.

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More Kidney-Friendly Recipes

Looking for more delicious ideas to get a healthy meal on the table? Check out these other renal diet recipes, all approved by registered dietitians to be easy on your kidneys:

  • 8 Delicious Kidney Friendly Chicken Recipes
  • Start the Day with These Renal Diet Breakfast Recipes
  • Recipes for Kidney Disease and Diabetes That Are Easy to Make
  • 5 Kidney Friendly Ground Turkey Recipes
  • Enjoy Takeout Favorites with These Renal Diet Air Fryer Recipes

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