Healthy Italian Recipes

Pasta, pizza, and eggplant Parma can all be part of a healthy diet. Try these lighter versions of Italian recipes from chefs.

Shells stuffed with mushrooms and spinach

Fill large pasta shells with a delicious mixture of spinach, mushrooms, and three types of cheese (part-skim mozzarella, cottage cheese, and Parmesan). Then bake in a tomato sauce with garlic and fennel seeds.

Recipe: Shells stuffed with mushrooms and spinach

Baked chicken with eggplant and cheese

A little Parmesan and part-skim mozzarella keep the calories down. This dish also makes a great sandwich: serve on a toasted, soft whole-grain bun.

Recipe: Baked chicken with eggplant and cheese

Healthy Pizza with Spinach and Ricotta

When you decide to have pizza night, don't order delivery. Make your own pizza with a homemade crust (made with whole-wheat flour), herb-infused tomato sauce, spinach, and two delicious cheeses: part-skim mozzarella and ricotta.

Recipe: Healthy Pizza with Spinach and Ricotta

Low-Calorie Fettuccine Alfredo Pasta

Low-fat cream cheese is the perfect substitute for heavy cream in a light version of Alfredo sauce; it creates a rich, luxurious texture without the extra calories.

Recipe: Low-Calorie Fettuccine Alfredo Pasta

Healthy risotto

Use brown rice and pearl barley for a quick and creamy risotto. Top the dish with asparagus, mushrooms, and Parmesan and cream cheese.

Recipe: Healthy risotto

Fried eggplant and tomato sauce for pasta

Classic Parmigiana is very high in calories, but our dish is healthier, lighter, and just as delicious. Cubed eggplant is mixed with homemade marinara sauce.

Recipe: Fried eggplant and tomato sauce for pasta

Chicken Cacciatore

A healthier version of the classic Italian dish, skinless chicken breasts are cooked in a delicious tomato sauce with onions, peppers, mushrooms, and white wine.

Recipe: Hunter's-style chicken with porcini mushrooms

Lasagna with turkey sausage

With a touch of turkey sausage and a soft layer of part-skim ricotta and cottage cheese, this Italian classic is every bit as filling and delicious as the original.

Recipe: Lasagna with turkey sausage

Spaghetti with Pistachio and Kale Pesto Sauce

This isn't your average pesto: it's loaded with nutritious kale, plus parsley and pistachios. The sauce is paired with whole-wheat spaghetti.

Recipe: Spaghetti with Pistachio and Kale Pesto Sauce

Chicken Parma

Moderation is key in this recipe. Fry the chicken in a small amount of oil until crispy, then add plenty of cheese and a generous dollop of sauce.

Recipe: Chicken Parmesan

Chicken Piccata with Capers

Classic piccata is made with a rich butter and wine sauce. But our take on these ingredients is minimal, delivering a rich flavor without the extra calories.

Recipe: Chicken Piccata with Capers

Rollatini with Chicken Parmesan Filling

Chicken Parma can be very fatty and calorie-dense. Make a lighter version as a stuffed roulade, without sacrificing the cheese or crispy crust. Serve with soft polenta on the side.

Recipe: Rollatini with Chicken Parmesan Filling

Penne Pasta Casserole with Spinach and Cheese

When making homemade tomato sauce, you can customize the ingredients to your liking. Here, the sauce is mixed with mozzarella pieces for an extra cheesy flavor, as well as cottage cheese—it's just as filling as ricotta, but lower in fat and calories.

Recipe: Penne Pasta Casserole with Spinach and Cheese

Halibut with white beans and endive

The combination of halibut and white beans provides this dish with filling protein (41 g) and fiber (12.5 g). Roasted bell peppers, rosemary, and parsley add a touch of Italian flavor.

Recipe: Halibut with white beans and endive

Chicken with a side dish of sun-dried tomatoes and eggplant

This chicken dish already includes vegetables—a balanced meal in one bowl. Eggplant and sun-dried tomatoes are stewed with chicken cutlets, which are then topped with ricotta cheese.

Recipe: Chicken with a side dish of sun-dried tomatoes and eggplant

Linguine “Puttanesca” with tuna

A classic puttanesca sauce of tomatoes, olives and capers is complemented by tuna in oil, a source of lean protein.

Recipe: Linguine “Puttanesca” with tuna

Chicken Saltimbocca

Giada transforms ordinary chicken tenders into something special by stuffing them with spinach and prosciutto. Best of all, the recipe only takes 35 minutes.

Recipe: Chicken Saltimbocca

Turkey meatballs in a quick spicy tomato sauce with whole wheat spaghetti

The abundance of herbs and the heat of the spices in the sauce create a multifaceted flavor without excess fat, while the carrots, onions, and Parmesan add richness and volume to the dish.

Recipe: Turkey meatballs in a quick spicy tomato sauce with whole wheat spaghetti