Choosing to have healthy Italian meals doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice flavor. I’ve listed below a number of recipes that are healthy that you can try. From salads to desserts, I hope this collection will inspire you and your cooking.
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Healthy Italian Recipes You’ll Love
Italian food is not about heavy cheese and heaps of spaghetti – well okay maybe heaps of spaghetti! But it is so much more.
Italy is part of the Mediterranean region, and so Italian cuisine naturally falls in the Mediterranean Diet category. That means lots of healthy food options, including vegetables and fruit – even if next to a plate of pasta!
Ready? Let’s get started!
Healthy Appetizers, Salads and Soup
Here are some recipes that are great for rounding out a meal or even using as a snack.
1
Stuffed Mini Peppers With Ricotta
This recipe uses Ricotta with fresh raw sweet mini peppers. Perfect for a snack or light finger food.
Check out this recipe
2
Zucchini Bruschetta Recipe
Here's a fun way to reduce carbs by replacing bread with zucchini rounds.
Check out this recipe
3
Caprese Salad with Cherry Tomatoes
Quick and easy, this recipe is perfect for a refreshing salad. Make sure to use high quality extra virgin olive oil otherwise it will just taste oily without much flavor! Love tomatoes? Check out my other tomato recipes.
Check out this recipe
4
Italian Breaded Mushrooms
What I love about this recipe is that you can either fry or bake. Choose to bake these mushrooms for a healthier option. You'll love it!
Check out this recipe
5
Green Salad
This salad is a very basic salad, but with the right ingredients it's a delicious flavor!
Check out this recipe
6
Easy Italian Fruit Salad
Fruit salads don't have to be boring. This Italian fruit salad has a few tricks up it's sleeve to make it taste so good!
Check out this recipe
7
Awesome Recipe for Italian Cannellini Bean Salad
I love to make this salad for a nice lunch or even as a side dish. It has vegetables and beans which provide protein in your diet.
Check out this recipe
8
Italian Chickpea Salad
This Italian salad uses canned chickpeas and I cannot promote it enough. It's always a hit at family parties and get togethers. Even tastes better the next day!
Check out this recipe
9
Italian Wedding Soup Recipe
I chose to include this wedding soup as a healthy soup simple because it is so flavorful with so few ingredients. It's easy to make and tastes better than store bought that is loaded with unnecessary sodium!
Check out this recipe
10
Minestrone Soup Recipe
Minestrone soup is a go-to recipe when I'm feeding anyone on a diet. Not only is it very flexible, it is satisfying!
Check out this recipe
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11
Kale Soup Recipe
Here's another Italian homemade soup that uses kale and potatoes. My husband makes it for me when I'm sick and it always seems to help!
Check out this recipe
Healthy Italian Side Dishes
Here are some ideas for healthy side dishes that go great with many Italian recipes. These side dishes are easy to make and delicious.
12
Sauteed kale and cannellini beans
This side dish goes great with chicken. It's healthy, easy, and a great combination!
Check out this recipe
13
Roasted Cauliflower with Romano Cheese
What I love about this recipe is that the cauliflower actually tastes amazing! Topped with Romano cheese, and roasted in the oven, this dish is always enjoyed.
Check out this recipe
14
Italian String Beans and Tomatoes
If you're looking for a new way to cook up your green beans, give this Italian recipe a try. It's now only colorful, but delicious too!
Check out this recipe
15
Roasted Red Potatoes with Rosemary and Garlic
These potatoes are roasted in the oven and cooked with rosemary and garlic. Not only does it smell amazing it's so easy and delicious. This recipes goes great with beef or chicken recipes!
Check out this recipe
16
Italian Broccoli
Broccoli is full of vitamins so it's a shame it has such a bad rap. But this Italian recipe might change that! Simple and easy, it's a must-try!
Check out this recipe
17
Marinated Roasted Sweet Peppers
Delicious peppers roasted in the oven and flavored with a simple marinade.
Check out this recipe
Healthy Italian Dinner Recipes
Now that we’ve covered side dishes and appetizers, let’s talk about some healthy main dishes to serve for dinner!
18
Pasta Bowties with Zucchini and Tomatoes
One of my favorite ways to use pasta is with vegetables. Zucchini and tomatoes are an amazing combo that I add to my pasta dishes regularly!
Check out this recipe
19
Eggplant Pizza
This recipe uses eggplant on your pizza along with roasted red pepper. The key is to slice the eggplant thin so it's not soggy! Check out the full recipe!
Check out this recipe
20
Chicken with Dry Italian Seasoning Mix
Here's a delicious chicken recipe that is full of flavor. I use store bought seasoning, but you have to be careful with what's inside. I explain it all here!
Check out this recipe
21
Roasted Vegetables with Herbs
Enjoy this healthy side dish that is easy and uses simple ingredients for big flavors!
Check out this recipe
22
Farro Stuffed Peppers
I use farro in this healthy recipe so I don't have to use so much beef. So it's a healthier version of regular stuffed peppers!
Check out this recipe
23
Baked Zucchini Pizza Boats
If you're craving pizza, but don't want all the carbs, try my zucchini pizza boats recipe. It's fun and delicious!
Check out this recipe
24
Pasta with Spinach and Cannellini Beans Recipe
Here's a delicious way to enjoy your pasta guilt-free. Combined with spinach and cannellini beans it's healthy and very Mediterranean!
Check out this recipe
25
Easy Chicken Piccata
If you're looking for a chicken dish that shouts Italian, but is easy and healthy – give this a try. No heavy sauces and a delight to make.
Check out this recipe
26
Easy and Healthy Chicken Marsala
Chicken marsala might sound intimidating, but I break it down for you quite simply. The best part, I created this recipe as a healthier version so it's not swimming in a heavy cream sauce!
Check out this recipe
Guilt-Free Italian Desserts
27
Easy Chocolate Espresso Pudding Recipe
What I love about this recipe is that it's not loaded with tons of sugar. It's sweet but it also has a bitterness thanks to the espresso. Nothing beats homemade – give it a try!
Check out this recipe
28
Ricotta with Cacao
Cacao has health benefits, but it also has natural caffeine – so beware if you're sensitive to it. This dessert is literally two ingredients and so tasty!
Check out this recipe
Make sure to check out our entire Italian dessert recipes for more!
