Recipes & Cooking International Recipes Italian Recipes 17 Healthy Italian Recipes That Don't Skimp on Flavor At less than 400 calories a serving, these good-for-you meals will quickly become dinnertime favorites. By Karla Walsh Karla Walsh Karla Walsh began her career at FITNESS magazine in 2010. Since, she's worked at a wide variety of publications full-time, including BHG.com, Recipe.com and as a cross-brand social media specialist. From search engine optimization to features for print to video strategy, she has a diverse background in all things magazines. At the start of 2019, Karla chose to pursue full-time freelance writing and has contributed to more than 3 dozen brands. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on October 25, 2023 Close Photo: Andy Lyons Carbs aren't the only thing Italians are good at. These healthy Italian recipes—from zoodle bowls and cauliflower crust pizza to saucy Italian meatball subs—go way beyond pasta and sauce. Plus, each of these protein-packed dishes has less than 400 calories per serving. 19 Slow Cooker Italian Recipes for Low-Key Weeknight Dinners 01 of 17 Pressure Cooker Ziti with Italian Chicken Sausage View Recipe Andy Lyons Bye-bye, baked ziti. We've moved on to Instant Pot ziti. "Baking" the healthy Italian sausage recipe in the handy appliance means you can have the easy, cheesy meal ready to dish up in less than 30 minutes. 24 of Our Favorite and Most Delicious Classic Italian Recipes 02 of 17 Zoodle Bowls with Tomato Sauce and Sausage View Recipe Blaine Moats Paleo-friendly pasta does exist. Swap regular spaghetti for zucchini noodles, and—voila!—you have a carb-smart base that will hold all the tasty toppings, including chicken sausage, tomatoes, and lots of fresh herbs. For a twist on this healthy Italian recipe, try it with beans, shredded chicken, or shrimp instead of the sausage. 03 of 17 Italian Barley and Sausage Casserole View Recipe Jason Donnelly Scoop up a Sunday dinner-worthy dish any night of the week. Instead of white rice or pasta, whole-grain barley is the base of this vegetable-rich healthy Italian sausage recipe. Because each casserole serving cooks in a ramekin, portion control is automatic and easy. Buy It: Sur la Table 12-ounce Round Gratin Dish, $12.00, Sur la Table 04 of 17 Ravioli Lasagna with Baby Kale and Italian Sausage View Recipe Andy Lyons Reduce prep time and infuse even more flavor into your next lasagna dinner by substituting standard lasagna noodles with cheese-filled ravioli. The puffy pillows are a breeze to layer with satisfying chicken sausage and piles of kale (we see you, vitamin K). Pair this healthy Italian recipe with a side salad for a well-balanced, restaurant-quality meal. 15 Main Dish Salad Recipes Perfect for Fresh Weeknight Meals 05 of 17 Lightened-Up Spaghetti Pie View Recipe Andy Lyons Indulge your carb cravings with a slice of this healthy spaghetti pie—each slice clocks in at only 256 calories! Three key steps lighten the recipe: folding in lots of veggies, choosing lean ground turkey over regular beef, and topping the savory pie with reduced-fat cheese. Easy as (spaghetti) pie! 06 of 17 Cauliflower-Crusted Pizza View Recipe Andy Lyons Looking to cut the calories and carbs from your pizza? Try a cheese and cauliflower crust as the base for this healthy Italian recipe. The texture is surprisingly like regular pizza dough, and once topped with marinara, plenty of vegetables, and a light sprinkle of cheese, you won't even know the difference. Pizza Dough 07 of 17 Italian-Style Turkey and Penne Toss View Recipe Andy Lyons Penne, you've never looked better. Toss multigrain noodles with herb-packed tomato sauce, iron-rich baby spinach, and lean turkey breast for a healthy Italian recipe in just 35 minutes. Even more tempting news than that speedy timeline? A generous 2-cup serving of the easy, healthy Italian recipe is only 301 calories. 08 of 17 Zoodle Pizza Casserole View Recipe Andy Lyons When you hear pizza and casserole, you're probably more likely to think of comfort food than calorie-conscious eating. But here's the good news: This spiralized zucchini recipe satisfies all those wants. The easy, healthy Italian recipe features the perfect ratio of melty cheese topping, mini pepperonis, and pastalike zoodles. Grandma Pizza Is the New York Classic You Need to Try 09 of 17 Italian Meatball Rolls View Recipe Karla Conrad These aren't your regular meatball subs—they're better! Chow down on fresh cremini mushrooms, protein-packed turkey meatballs, and Italy's quintessential duo of balsamic and mozzarella. Loads of added flavor comes from herbs, garlic, and vinegar—not fat and salt. 10 of 17 Italian Roasted Chicken and Veggie Toss View Recipe Jacob Fox Here's the good news: A gluten-free Italian entrée is possible. Load up a sheet pan with chicken and veggies, roast, then pile the toasty ingredients on a bed of leafy greens. Drizzle with a balsamic vinaigrette, and your healthy Italian recipe is officially done. 11 of 17 Mini Spaghetti and Meatball Pies View Recipe Andy Lyons Go ahead, enjoy a double fix of spaghetti. This healthy Italian recipe calls for reduced-fat Italian cheese and a lighter, sugar-free version of your favorite tomato-basil sauce so you can feel good about going back for seconds. Two mini pies come in at under 300 calories. 12 of 17 Italian Pesto Pasta Salad View Recipe Andy Lyons Stretch four servings of pasta to serve ten people (yes, 10). The secret? A slew of other fiber-filled, tasty ingredients. Mix the mac with hearty canned beans, punchy basil pesto, and peppery arugula for quite possibly the freshest pasta salad recipe you'll ever taste. 13 of 17 Roasted Salmon with Broccoli and Tomatoes View Recipe Blaine Moats So much flavor for 276 calories per serving! Basil and parsley infuse this sheet-pan supper's finishing sauce with fresh Mediterranean flavors. Make a double batch of the light lemon drizzle and use one portion in this healthy Italian recipe and the other over tomorrow's lunch salad. 14 of 17 Make-Ahead Chicken-Spinach Calzones View Recipe Blaine Moats Snag some refrigerated pizza dough and roll it out into a party-worthy calzone dinner. These nutrition-packed versions ooze with (skim) mozzarella, chopped chicken, and garlicky spinach. Plus, these healthy Italian baked chicken calzones can be made up to a month ahead and frozen until a craving hits. 15 Make-Ahead Recipes to Stock Your Freezer With Right Now 15 of 17 Whole Grain Panzanella View Recipe Andy Lyons Calling all carb fans: This healthy Italian recipe includes bread and potatoes. And yes, it's good for you! Instead of white bread, this entrée salad calls for cubes of whole wheat baguette and diced potatoes to pack more nutrition into every bite. To make it more of a meal, toss in a handful of protein-rich grilled chicken. 16 of 17 Farfalle with Mushrooms and Spinach View Recipe Kritsada Panichgul Olive oil, garlic, spinach—this healthy Italian recipe is jam-packed with all sorts of Mediterranean diet delights. Plus, it can be made in minutes with ingredients you probably already have on hand. Cut mushrooms into thick slices for more of a meaty texture in this vegetarian entrée. 16 Vegetarian High-Protein Recipes the Entire Family Will Enjoy 17 of 17 Vegetable Lasagna View Recipe Blaine Moats Go on, give in to your love of lasagna. Our veggie-packed version features all the melty mozzarella goodness you love, plus layers of fresh mushrooms, spinach, and broccoli keep it low-cal and full of vitamins. To cut down on prep time, rely on a mix of fresh and frozen vegetables. Test Kitchen Tip Prepare ingredients and assemble the lasagna over the weekend or on an evening when you have some extra time, then refrigerate for up to two days before baking (and devouring). More Healthy Recipe Ideas Healthy Italian recipes are just the start of the good-for-you meals to make if you're goal is to reduce calories in your eating plan. Watching your cholesterol intake? These recipes will keep you on track. Indulge in your favorite stir-fry meal with only 400 calories a serving. These are 12 of our favorite chicken stir-fries to make that are quick and simple. When entertaining a crowd, it can be challenging to find a healthy option, but we've got you covered with 24 Healthy Potluck Recipes, including a fabulous oven-fried chicken. If snacks are a must but the calorie counts are a no-no, these healthy snack ideas will make it easy to stay on track. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit