Domino’s pizza is one of the most popular pizza chains in the United States. Their menu offers a variety of pizza options, as well as side dishes like breadsticks, wings, and pasta.
One of the pasta options on the Domino’s menu is their Classic Marinara Pasta. This dish features penne pasta with a rich, herb-flavored marinara sauce. Many customers enjoy this pasta as a lighter alternative to pizza or as an additional side dish to complement their pizza order.
Nutrition Information for Domino’s Classic Marinara Pasta
If you’re wondering how many calories are in Domino’s Classic Marinara Pasta, here are the nutrition facts according to the Domino’s website:
- Serving Size: 1 cup (140g)
- Calories: 370
- Total Fat: 8g
- Sodium: 790mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 66g
- Dietary Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 13g
So a single serving cup of Domino’s Classic Marinara Pasta contains 370 calories. This makes it a higher calorie side dish compared to options like their breadsticks or cheesy bread.
Calorie and Nutrition Comparison to Other Domino’s Menu Items
To put the 370 calories for a cup of marinara pasta in perspective, here’s how it compares to some other popular items on the Domino’s menu:
| Menu Item | Calories |
|---|---|
| 1 cup Domino’s Classic Marinara Pasta | 370 |
| 1 slice (1/8th pizza) Domino’s Hand Tossed Cheese Pizza | 220 |
| 1 order Domino’s Oven Baked Cheese Bites | 360 |
| 1 order Domino’s Bread Twists | 190 |
| 1 order (10 pieces) Domino’s Chicken Kickers | 350 |
As you can see, one cup of marinara pasta contains about the same number of calories as an order of oven-baked cheese bites or chicken kickers. It has substantially more calories than a single slice of cheese pizza or an order of bread twists.
The pasta is a higher calorie option due to its large portion size and the calorie-dense marinara sauce. The sauce is made from tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, herbs and seasonings – ingredients that all pack a considerable number of calories.
Nutritional Value of Domino’s Marinara Pasta
While the marinara pasta is high in calories, it does provide some important nutrients:
- Carbs: The 66g of carbs comes mainly from the pasta itself which is enriched flour. This provides a good source of energy.
- Fiber: With 4g per serving, the pasta contributes some fiber to help regulate digestion.
- Protein: The 13g of protein comes from both the pasta and cheese. This helps with muscle repair and keeps you feeling fuller for longer.
- Vitamins and minerals: The tomatoes in the sauce provide vitamin C, potassium and lycopene.
So while the marinara pasta is high in calories, it does deliver some nutritional value. The protein, fiber and vitamins make it more nutrient-dense than other high-calorie sides like cheesy breadsticks or wings.
Lower Calorie Options for Domino’s Pasta
If you love pasta from Domino’s but want a lighter option, there are some ways to cut down on the calories:
- Order a smaller size. Choose a half order which is just 1/2 cup pasta (185 calories).
- Skip the cheese and request pasta with just marinara sauce.
- Order a side salad instead of pasta and use low-cal dressing.
- Choose veggie toppings on your pizza to fill up on veggies.
With a few tweaks, you can enjoy Domino’s pasta while keeping your meal a bit lighter overall.
Tips for Making Healthier Choices at Domino’s
In addition to ordering lower calorie sides, here are some other tips for cutting calories when eating at Domino’s:
- Split a pizza. Order a medium instead of a large and split it with a friend.
- Load up on veggies. Pick lots of lower calorie toppings like onions, mushrooms, peppers and spinach.
- Go thin crust. This saves around 70 calories per slice compared to hand-tossed.
- Limit high-fat meats like sausage, pepperoni and bacon.
- Ask for light cheese or half the usual amount.
- Use red sauce instead of white garlic sauce or Alfredo.
- Stick to one or two slices of pizza. Pair it with a side salad.
- Share an order of wings or desserts.
Being mindful about portions, loading up on veggie toppings, and limiting high-fat, high-calorie meats and cheeses are great ways to enjoy Domino’s pizza while still watching your calorie intake.
Making Healthy Low-Calorie Pasta at Home
In addition to ordering lighter options at Domino’s, you can also make healthier pasta dishes at home. Here are some tips:
- Use whole grain pasta varieties like whole wheat or chickpea.
- Make marinara sauce from scratch with tomatoes, onions, garlic and herbs.
- Bulk up pasta with veggies like mushrooms, spinach, broccoli or roasted red peppers.
- Use Greek yogurt or avocado instead of heavy cream or cheese for creamier sauce.
- Top with grilled chicken or shrimp instead of higher fat meats like sausage.
- Use portion control. Stick to 1 cup pasta per serving.
- Sprinkle with parmesan cheese rather than full-fat shredded cheese.
Whipping up veggie-packed pasta dishes at home with whole grain pastas and lighter sauces is a great way to enjoy this comforting food while controlling calories and increasing nutrition.
The Final Calories for Domino’s Marinara Pasta
So to recap, here are the key details on the calories and nutrition for Domino’s Classic Marinara Pasta:
- A 1 cup serving contains 370 calories
- It has 66g carbs, 4g fiber and 13g protein per serving
- It provides some nutrition from the tomato sauce and pasta
- It’s one of the higher calorie side dish options at Domino’s
If watching your calorie intake, go for a smaller size, pick veggie toppings, or pair it with a salad. Or make lighter pasta dishes at home.
Overall, while Domino’s pasta is a tasty indulgence, it is one of the higher calorie menu items. Being mindful of portions and rounding out your meal with lighter options can help keep calories under control.
