Calories in Creamy Parmesan Penne Pasta and Cheese Sauce

📏 Serving Size: 1 Serving (196.0g)

🧪 Nutrition Facts

Amount Per Serving
  • Calories 280.3
  • Total Fat 11.0 g
  • Saturated Fat 7.0 g
  • Cholesterol 29.4 mg
  • Sodium 860.4 mg
  • Potassium 0.0 mg
  • Total Carbohydrate 30.0 g
  • Dietary Fiber 2.9 g
  • Sugars 3.0 g
  • Protein 15.0 g
Vitamins & Minerals
  • Vitamin A 299.9 IU
  • Vitamin B-12 0.0 µg
  • Vitamin B-6 0.0 mg
  • Vitamin C 1.2 mg
  • Vitamin D 0.0 IU
  • Vitamin E 0.0 mg
  • Calcium 350.8 mg
  • Copper 0.0 mg
  • Folate 0.0 µg
  • Iron 1.1 mg
  • Magnesium 0.0 mg
  • Manganese 0.0 mg
  • Niacin 0.0 mg
  • Pantothenic Acid 0.0 mg
  • Phosphorus 0.0 mg
  • Riboflavin 0.0 mg
  • Thiamin 0.0 mg
  • Zinc 0.0 mg

Note: Nutrition information comes from the USDA Food Central Database. Daily values are based on a 2,000 calorie per day diet (FDA). Actual requirements vary by individual. Use at your own risk.

📋 Nutrition Summary

With 280.3 calories per serving (1 Serving (196.0g)), Creamy Parmesan Penne Pasta and Cheese Sauce is a moderately calorie-dense food worth tracking if you're managing your intake. Carbohydrates are the primary energy source at 30.0g per serving (43% of calories), with a good 2.9g of dietary fiber. One thing to note: a single serving contains 860.4mg of sodium (37% of the daily recommended limit), which is significant if you're watching your salt intake.

🏷️ Diet & Nutrition Tags

⚠️ High Sodium ⚠️ High Saturated Fat

Tags are generated automatically from USDA nutrition data using standard dietary thresholds. They are for general guidance only and are not medical advice.

📝 Ingredients

Cooked Pasta (water, Wheat Semolina, Whole Durum Wheat Flour, Egg White, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate [iron], Thiamin Mononitrate [vitamin B1], Riboflavin [vitamin B2], Folic Acid), Milk, Water, Parmesan Cheese (pasteurized Part-Skim Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes), Bean Puree, Contains Less than 2% of Cream, Salt, Cultured Dextrose, Cheese Culture, Stabilizers (carob Bean And/or Guar And/or Xanthan Gums), Vegetable Base (cooked Vegetables [carrots, Onions, Celery], Salt, Sugar, Corn Oil, Potato Flour, Carrot Powder), Parsley, Garlic, Spices, Citric Acid, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Natural Flavor, Coconut Oil, Nisin Preparation.

🔬 Ingredient Analysis

⚠️ Artificial Preservatives ⚠️ Flavour Enhancers ℹ️ Fortified / Enriched

Artificial Preservatives: Nisin

Flavour Enhancers: Yeast Extract, Autolyzed Yeast, Autolyzed Yeast Extract

Fortification / Enrichment Agents: Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Riboflavin, Folic Acid

Detected additives are based on the ingredient list in the USDA Food Central Database. Always read the full product label as formulations can change. Presence of these ingredients does not necessarily indicate a health risk — consult a healthcare professional for personalised dietary advice. Fortification agents are synthetic vitamins or minerals added to restore nutrients lost during processing or to boost nutritional content. They are added for public health reasons and are widely considered safe.

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📊 % Daily Value

The following shows how one serving of Creamy Parmesan Penne Pasta and Cheese Sauce contributes to the recommended daily intake for key nutrients, based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutrient Amount % Daily Value
Calories280.3 kcal14%
Total Fat11.0 g14%
Saturated Fat7.0 g35%
Cholesterol29.4 mg10%
Sodium860.4 mg37% ⚠️
Total Carbohydrate30.0 g11%
Dietary Fiber2.9 g10%
Protein15.0 g30%
Vitamin C1.2 mg1%
Calcium350.8 mg27%
Iron1.1 mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

🔥 Calorie Analysis

Creamy Parmesan Penne Pasta and Cheese Sauce accounts for 14% of a standard 2,000 calorie daily diet per serving. The majority of the calories for this food comes from carbohydrates. Carbohydrates make up 43% of the calories.

Fat 35.5%
Carbs 43%
Protein 21.5%
Fat 35.5% Carbs 43% Protein 21.5%

🏃 Exercise Burn Time

How long would it take to burn off the 280.3 calories in Creamy Parmesan Penne Pasta and Cheese Sauce? The table below shows burn time for a 170-pound person doing common exercises.

Exercise Minutes to Burn
Running: 10 minutes per mile 21.2 min
Walking: 17 minutes per mile 48.4 min
Cycling (Low Intensity) 30.6 min
HIIT 26.0 min
Ice Skating 29.7 min

Find more information on calories burned doing popular exercises.

💬 Nutrition Q&A: Creamy Parmesan Penne Pasta and Cheese Sauce

Is Creamy Parmesan Penne Pasta and Cheese Sauce good for weight loss?

This dish is moderate in calories at 280 per serving, but the high sodium content of 860mg is a concern for weight loss diets—excess sodium can increase water retention and cravings. The decent fiber at 2.9g helps with satiety, though you'd want to pair it with vegetables to boost fullness without adding many calories.

Is Creamy Parmesan Penne Pasta and Cheese Sauce good for muscle building?

With 15g of protein per serving, this pasta provides a meaningful amino acid contribution, though it's not protein-dense compared to dedicated muscle-building foods. The carbs help with workout recovery, but you'd likely want additional protein sources to optimize muscle synthesis.

Is Creamy Parmesan Penne Pasta and Cheese Sauce good post-workout fuel?

The combination of 30g carbs and 15g protein makes this reasonably suitable for post-workout recovery, as both nutrients help replenish glycogen and support muscle repair. However, you might want additional protein or a protein-rich side dish to maximize muscle recovery benefits.

Is Creamy Parmesan Penne Pasta and Cheese Sauce good fuel for endurance activities?

The carbohydrate content at 30g provides usable energy for endurance activities, and the modest fat helps with satiety during longer efforts. The high sodium could actually be helpful during extended exercise, though you'd want to test this during training rather than on race day.

What should I watch out for with Creamy Parmesan Penne Pasta and Cheese Sauce?

The sodium level at 860mg is quite high for a single serving—about 37% of the daily limit—so this isn't ideal if you're monitoring sodium intake or managing blood pressure. Saturated fat at 7g is also notable, so consider balancing this meal with lower-fat options throughout the day.

Nutrition Q&A answers are based on USDA nutritional data and are for general informational purposes only. They are not a substitute for professional dietary or medical advice.

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