Energy
lower quarter102 kcalthis record per 100 g
- Corpus median
- 154 kcal
- Middle 50%
- 125–177 kcal
Based on 169 records reporting energy.
Pasta, rice & grainsmoderate variability
Pasta with sauce, meatless, school lunch calories: 255 per 1 cup (250 g)
This exact USDA record reports 255 calories for 1 cup (250 g). That answer belongs to this description and weight; it is not a universal value for every meal that shares the name.
Quick facts
1 cup · 250 g
- Calories
- 255 kcal
- Protein
- 9.5 g
- Carbohydrate
- 48.5 g
- Total fat
- 4 g
- Fiber
- 7.3 g
- Sodium
- 220 mg
Portion calculator
Estimate your portion
Choose a source measure or enter the weight you ate.
Estimated for 1 cup · 250 g
255calories
Pasta with sauce, meatless, school lunch
- Protein
- 9.5 g
- Carbs
- 48.5 g
- Fat
- 4 g
— means the source has no value available.
These values scale the selected reference food by weight. Ingredients, preparation, and portion size can change your meal’s estimate.
Nutrition facts, household measures, preparation notes and USDA sources
The editorial read
The useful answer has a weight, a composition, and an identity
Portion: the cited record reports about 255 calories for 1 cup at 250 grams. On a fixed-weight basis, the same record contains 102 calories per 100 grams. The first number answers a portion question; the second answers a concentration question.
Composition: that source amount also reports 9.5 g protein, 7.3 g fiber, and 220 mg sodium. Read those values together: a calorie total by itself cannot describe the nutrient profile.
Identity: the largest listed formulation input is pasta, whole-wheat, cooked (includes foods for usda's food distribution program), representing 51.8% of the record’s listed input weight. The record contains 3 source-input rows in all. These are provenance for a standardized calculation, not a recipe for your plate.
The source calls its underlying survey portion “Quantity not specified,” but it separately lists 1 cup at the identical weight. We use the familiar household label here without changing the source calculation.
Record-specific decision brief
What the numbers say—and what choice still belongs to you
This analysis belongs to USDA FDC 2708829: “Pasta with sauce, meatless, school lunch.” It separates gram-weight arithmetic, corpus context, label signals, and record selection so one number does not have to answer four different questions.
01 · Portion arithmetic
Three weights, one fixed composition
For FDC 2708829, each row multiplies the published per-100-gram values by its stated weight. “75% of the reference weight” through “125% of the reference weight” are weight scenarios: named measures come from USDA, while percentage labels are transparent arithmetic.
| Scenario | Weight | Energy | Protein | Fiber | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75% of the reference weightArithmetic scenario from the reference weight | 187.5 g | 191 kcal | 7.1 g | 5.4 g | 165 mg |
| 1 cupUSDA-listed household measure | 250 g | 255 kcal | 9.5 g | 7.3 g | 220 mg |
| 125% of the reference weightArithmetic scenario from the reference weight | 312.5 g | 319 kcal | 11.8 g | 9.1 g | 275 mg |
02 · Fixed-weight context
Where 100 grams sits inside Pasta mixed dishes, excludes macaroni and cheese
The comparison set contains 169 exact records in the Pasta mixed dishes, excludes macaroni and cheese USDA category. Here, “lower quarter” describes FDC 2708829’s energy position in that corpus—not nutritional quality, desirability, or a health rating.
Protein
lower quarter3.8 gthis record per 100 g
- Corpus median
- 5.8 g
- Middle 50%
- 4.4–6.3 g
Based on 169 records reporting protein.
Dietary fiber
upper quarter2.9 gthis record per 100 g
- Corpus median
- 1.5 g
- Middle 50%
- 1–2 g
Based on 169 records reporting dietary fiber.
Sodium
lower quarter88 mgthis record per 100 g
- Corpus median
- 336 mg
- Middle 50%
- 233–398 mg
Based on 169 records reporting sodium.
03 · FDA label lens
The strongest strength-side and tradeoff-side signals
At FDC 2708829’s 250 g reference weight, the largest strength-side percentage among the nutrients evaluated here is Dietary fiber; the larger tradeoff-side percentage is Sodium. Percentages use FDA label Daily Values, whose general “high” guide begins at 20% Daily Value. This is not an overall score or a personalized target.
Strength-side signals
Dietary fiber7.3 g
≈ 26% DV. This crosses the FDA’s 20% ‘high’ guide.
Magnesium93 mg
≈ 22% DV. This crosses the FDA’s 20% ‘high’ guide.
Tradeoff-side signals
Sodium220 mg
≈ 10% DV. This does not cross the FDA’s 20% ‘high’ guide.
Saturated fat0.5 g
≈ 3% DV. This does not cross the FDA’s 20% ‘high’ guide.
04 · Highest-impact checks
The three levers most worth resolving first
For “Pasta with sauce, meatless, school lunch,” the first-pass checks follow the evidence actually published: its named weights, the FDC 2708836 alternative, and its source-formulation identity.
- 01
Portion sensitivity around 250 g
A 25% weight move in either direction spans 187.5–312.5 g. When composition is held constant, those endpoints calculate to 191 kcal and 319 kcal.
- 02
Record choice: compare with FDC 2708836
At an equal 100 g, this record has 1.5 g less total fat than “Pasta with sauce and meat, from school lunch.” That is a record-level contrast; it does not identify which ingredient caused the difference.
- 03
Formulation anchor: Pasta, whole-wheat, cooked (Includes foods for USDA's Food Distribution Program)
The source formulation has 3 input rows; Pasta, whole-wheat, cooked (Includes foods for USDA's Food Distribution Program) supplies 51.8% of listed input weight. Those are standardized formulation inputs, not final plated percentages.
05 · Exact-record choice
Select by literal evidence, not the shortest name
Keep this record when “meatless; school lunch” fits. Inspect FDC 2708836 when “from school lunch” is the more literal description of the food and preparation.
Keep this profile when these fields fit
Pasta with sauce, meatless, school lunch
- Exact source wording
- “Pasta with sauce, meatless, school lunch”
- Source identity
- USDA FDC 2708829 · FNDDS 58146215
- Named qualifiers
- meatless · school lunch
Inspect this alternative when its fields fit better
Pasta with sauce and meat, from school lunch
- Exact source wording
- “Pasta with sauce and meat, from school lunch”
- Source identity
- USDA FDC 2708836 · FNDDS 58146315
- Named qualifiers
- from school lunch
- Source inputs unique in this pair
- Beef, ground
Choose the closest description
Which USDA record fits your meal?
Treat the long description as data. The phrases doing the most work here are “meatless” and “school lunch”. Match those details first; then compare the database weight with the amount you mean.
On smaller screens, focus a nutrition table and scroll horizontally to read every column.
| Exact record | Source serving | Calories / 100 g | Protein / 100 g | Fat / 100 g | Fiber / 100 g | Sodium / 100 g |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| This recordPasta with sauce, meatless, school lunch | 250 g255 kcal | 102 kcal | 3.8 g | 1.6 g | 2.9 g | 88 mg |
| Pasta with sauce and meat, from school lunch | 250 g293 kcal | 117 kcal | 6 g | 3.1 g | 2.6 g | 117 mg |
| Pasta with vegetables, no sauce or dressing | 150 g216 kcal | 144 kcal | 4.5 g | 3.5 g | 2.3 g | 148 mg |
| Pasta with tomato-based sauce and cheese | 250 g298 kcal | 119 kcal | 3.7 g | 4.8 g | 1.7 g | 403 mg |
| Pasta with tomato-based sauce, home recipe | 250 g265 kcal | 106 kcal | 3.7 g | 1.2 g | 1.8 g | 202 mg |
| Pasta with tomato-based sauce, ready-to-heat | 250 g300 kcal | 120 kcal | 3.6 g | 3 g | 1.8 g | 338 mg |
| Pasta with tomato-based sauce and beans or lentils | 227 g284 kcal | 125 kcal | 5.2 g | 2.3 g | 3 g | 250 mg |
How to compare FDC 2708829: its source amount is 250 g; every 100-gram column removes portion size from the record-to-record comparison. Neither denominator determines your plate’s weight or recipe.
Household measures
Compare listed portions
For FDC 2708829, the 1 displayed measure scale the same source composition by gram weight; rounding changes presentation, not the underlying ratio.
1 cup
255 kcal
250 g
At a glance
Nutrient signals in the source amount
For FDC 2708829, Dietary fiber is the largest displayed non-protein Daily Value signal. Read the set as label context—not a personalized score.
Dietary fiber
7.3 g≈ 26% Daily ValueMagnesium
92.5 mg≈ 22% Daily ValueThe percentages above apply to FDC 2708829’s 250 g reference amount. FDA Daily Values are general label references, not individualized energy or medical targets. Read the FDA explanation ↗
Why FDC 2708829 has no protein percentage here: Feast reports 9.5 g, but does not present grams divided by 50 as FDA protein %DV; applicable label rules account for protein quality and regulatory context.
Source-serving signals
What stands out in this record
These 1 calculated observation describe FDC 2708829 at 250 g—not a measured or recommended plate.
- The representative USDA portion supplies 7.3 g dietary fiber, about 26% of the Daily Value used on U.S. labels.
Nutrition facts
Compare the source serving with 100 grams
Values are rounded for readability. The source serving is 250 g.
| Nutrient | Amount | Approx. % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 255 kcal 102 kcal | Not established Not established |
| Protein | 9.5 g 3.8 g | Not shown Not shown |
| Carbohydrate | 48.5 g 19.4 g | 18% 7% |
| Total fat | 4 g 1.6 g | 5% 2% |
| Dietary fiber | 7.3 g 2.9 g | 26% 10% |
| Sugars | 7.6 g 3 g | Not established Not established |
| Sodium | 220 mg 88 mg | 10% 4% |
| Saturated fat | 0.5 g 0.2 g | 3% 1% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.7 g 0.3 g | Not established Not established |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.4 g 0.5 g | Not established Not established |
| Cholesterol | 2.5 mg 1 mg | 1% 0% |
| Potassium | 507.5 mg 203 mg | 11% 4% |
| Calcium | 50 mg 20 mg | 4% 2% |
| Iron | 3.2 mg 1.3 mg | 18% 7% |
| Magnesium | 92.5 mg 37 mg | 22% 9% |
| Vitamin C | 2.5 mg 1 mg | 3% 1% |
| Vitamin D | 0 µg 0 µg | 0% 0% |
| Vitamin A | 40 µg 16 µg | 4% 2% |
| Caffeine | 0 mg 0 mg | Not established Not established |
| Alcohol | 0 g 0 g | Not established Not established |
| Water | 185 g 74 g | Not established Not established |
For FDC 2708829, approximate percentages divide the displayed 250 g amount by FDA label Daily Values; they are not personalized targets. “Not established” means FDA sets no Daily Value for that row. Protein %DV remains unshown because adult-label use depends on regulatory context.
Inside the source record
Source formulation behind this USDA record
USDA links FDC 2708829 to 3 source inputs totaling 270.5 g in its standardized formulation. Publishing that exact provenance makes “Pasta with sauce, meatless, school lunch” inspectable beside similarly named records.
How to read this
3 listed components
The largest listed inputs by source weight are Pasta, whole-wheat, cooked (Includes foods for USDA's Food Distribution Program), Sauce, pasta, spaghetti/marinara, ready-to-serve, low sodium, Salt, table. The order and weights below come from the standardized USDA formulation, so they offer context for this exact database entry.
270.5 g total listed input weight across the formulation.
| # | USDA input | Listed amount | Input weight | Share of listed input weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pasta, whole-wheat, cooked (Includes foods for USDA's Food Distribution Program)USDA ingredient 20125 · encyclopedia page available | 140 GM | 140 g | 51.8% |
| 2 | Sauce, pasta, spaghetti/marinara, ready-to-serve, low sodiumUSDA ingredient 6976 · encyclopedia page available | 130 GM | 130 g | 48.1% |
| 3 | Salt, tableUSDA ingredient 2047 · encyclopedia page available | 0.5 GM | 0.5 g | 0.2% |
Exact-record context
What makes this USDA record distinct?
For FDC 2708829, the close-record rule searches the USDA “Pasta mixed dishes, excludes macaroni and cheese” category for shared description terms or source inputs. Any surviving pair is compared per 100 grams, so unlike source-serving sizes cannot manufacture the nutrient difference.
This record
Pasta with sauce, meatless, school lunch
- USDA category
- Pasta mixed dishes, excludes macaroni and cheese
- FDC ID
- 2708829
- FNDDS code
- 58146215
Closest inspectable record
Pasta with sauce and meat, from school lunch
- USDA category
- Pasta mixed dishes, excludes macaroni and cheese
- FDC ID
- 2708836
- FNDDS code
- 58146315
| Nutrient | This record | Comparison record | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 102 kcal | 117 kcal | −15 kcal |
| Protein | 3.8 g | 6 g | −2.2 g |
| Carbohydrate | 19.4 g | 17.5 g | +1.9 g |
| Total fat | 1.6 g | 3.1 g | −1.5 g |
| Dietary fiber | 2.9 g | 2.6 g | +0.3 g |
| Sodium | 88 mg | 117 mg | −29 mg |
Plain-English read
At the fixed 100-gram basis, this record lists 15 less calories, 2.2 g less protein, and 1.5 g less total fat than “Pasta with sauce and meat, from school lunch.”
Only the comparison record lists Beef, ground. Those formulation rows identify different source records; they do not prove which input caused a nutrient difference.
3 of the six displayed differences clear the documented materiality screen. It is a reading aid, not a health rating.
Formulation evidence
The listed formulations differ
The formulation rows differ, but the source data do not isolate which component caused any nutrient difference. Input weights describe the standardized formulation—not final plated proportions.
Shared listed inputs: Pasta, whole-wheat, cooked (Includes foods for USDA's Food Distribution Program); Sauce, pasta, spaghetti/marinara, ready-to-serve, low sodium; Salt, table.
Listed only in the comparison: Beef, ground.
Portion evidence
The listed portion sets match
This record’s reference amount is 250 g; a familiar listed measure is 1 cup (250 g).
The comparison record’s reference amount is 250 g; a familiar listed measure is 1 cup (250 g).
Use the 100-gram row to compare FDC 2708829 with FDC 2708836 at equal mass; use their 250 g and 250 g source amounts only for portion matching.
Evidence boundary: FDC 2708829 versus FDC 2708836 is a comparison of standardized source records—not a measurement of your meal, an overall food-quality rank, or proof that one input caused a difference.
Review the full pasta mixed dishes, excludes macaroni and cheese source category → Read the calculation and selection methodology →
Uncertainty, made actionable
What can change this estimate?
This is a standardized USDA survey-food profile, not a measurement of every preparation. Actual nutrition can change with amount served, cooked-to-dry ratio, sauce or mix-ins, added fat.
For “Pasta with sauce, meatless, school lunch,” resolve amount served first, then move through the remaining 3 published levers. Unknowns should remain visible rather than expanding every assumption at once.
- 01
amount served
When composition is held constant, nutrient totals scale directly with grams. A 20% weight correction produces the same 20% correction to the scaled totals.
- 02
cooked-to-dry ratio
Match the food state before matching the number. Cooking, draining, or added liquid can change grams and concentration even when the food name barely changes.
- 03
sauce or mix-ins
Check whether the exact source description already includes it. If not, keep the addition separate rather than silently folding it into the base record.
- 04
added fat
Match the named cooking-fat state when possible. Fat used, retained, or left behind is preparation information that a dish name alone cannot recover.
How we estimated this
The arithmetic is simple; the provenance is the point
FDC 2708829 comes from FoodData Central Survey Foods (FNDDS). Its 102 kcal per 100 g becomes 255 kcal at 250 g through nutrient per portion = nutrient per 100 g × portion grams ÷ 100; this page adds no second nutrition estimate.
About the serving label: USDA describes the underlying survey portion as “Quantity not specified.” The separately listed 1 cup has the same gram weight, so the familiar label can be shown without changing the calculation.
Data cycle: 2021–2023, published October 31, 2024
FoodData Central ID: 2708829
FNDDS food code: 58146215
The scaling for FDC 2708829 can be exact while the match to “Pasta with sauce, meatless, school lunch” is wrong. That is why this profile keeps its 250 g weight, 3-row source formulation, and selection uncertainty beside the arithmetic.
Source release October 31, 2024. Review USDA’s data-type documentation ↗ · Read Feast’s full nutrition methodology.