Healthy Italian recipes (2024)

Showing 1 to 24 of 38 results

Spinach crespolini
A star rating of 4.3 out of 5.4 ratings
Enjoy these healthy spelt pancakes filled with spinach, ricotta and tomato – they deliver all of your 5-a-day, plus spinach supports bone and eye health
- 1 hr 10 mins
- Easy
- Healthy
- Vegetarian
A star rating of 4.2 out of 5.22 ratings
Lentils make a low-fat addition to these minced pork patties for a healthier family favourite - still full of herby, garlicky flavour
- 1 hr 5 mins
- Easy
- Healthy
Herby lamb fillet with caponata
A star rating of 4.5 out of 5.8 ratings
Tick off all 5 of your 5 a day with this super-healthy Sunday roast. To make it vegetarian, omit the lamb and add chickpeas to the caponata.
- 35 mins
- Easy
- Healthy
- Gluten-free
Lighter chicken cacciatore
A star rating of 4.4 out of 5.120 ratings
The classic Italian 'hunter's stew' gets a healthy makeover, with low-fat chicken breasts, prosciutto and a rich herby tomato sauce
- 1 hr 5 mins
- Easy
- Healthy
A star rating of 4.3 out of 5.44 ratings
This prawn and fennel risotto gets a little extra kick from lemon zest and and rocket - perfect for a dinner party
- 50 mins
- Easy
- Healthy
A star rating of 4.3 out of 5.18 ratings
See Also
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Chilli, fennel seeds and smoked paprika add warmth and flavour to a rich tomato sauce, served with seafood in this quick pasta dish
- 20 mins
- Easy
- Healthy
Acquacotta
A star rating of 4.8 out of 5.12 ratings
This traditional Tuscan soup, which means 'cooked water', is served with a poached egg for extra richness - a perfect starter or light lunch
- 1 hr
- Easy
- Healthy
Roast pepper pesto with pasta
A star rating of 3.5 out of 5.8 ratings
Use leftovers from our Roast pepper & chorizo salad to make this easy pasta dish - see the recipe, below right
- 25 mins
- Easy
- Healthy
- Vegetarian
Whole stuffed roast fish with fennel
A star rating of 4.7 out of 5.3 ratings
This roast fish dish was inspired by Sicily, where the aromatic spices and dried fruit of Arabian cuisine meet with the fresh fish and veg of the Med
- 1 hr 5 mins
- Easy
- Healthy
Avocado panzanella
A star rating of 4.9 out of 5.29 ratings
With just 20 minutes preparation and no cooking time you'll be able to whip up this colourful avocado and bread salad in no time
- 20 mins
- Easy
- Healthy
- Vegan
Creamy tomato risotto
A star rating of 4.8 out of 5.256 ratings
A budget rice dish flavoured with rosemary, basil and sweet cherry tomatoes. It's healthy, filling and simple to make – an ideal midweek supper
- 40 mins
- Easy
- Healthy
A star rating of 4.9 out of 5.59 ratings
For a healthy no-fuss fish dish, try this all-in-one Italian-inspired bake with crispy potatoes, roasted peppers and olives
See Also
Pasta alla Carbonara Recipe | Gimme Some Oven
- 40 mins
- Easy
- Healthy
- Gluten-free
A star rating of 4.7 out of 5.21 ratings
Serve lean fillet steak with a rich, Italian-style pepper, olive and caper sauce and wilted spinach
- 40 mins
- Easy
- Healthy
- Gluten-free
A star rating of 4.3 out of 5.31 ratings
This fast, fresh pasta sauce with cherry tomatoes, prawns and crème fraîche is ideal for a midweek supper, and it's low-fat
- 35 mins
- Easy
- Healthy
A star rating of 4.4 out of 5.227 ratings
Serve your pasta with a budget-friendly bacon, tomato and paprika sauce. It's a healthy choice to boot
- 25 mins
- Easy
- Healthy
A star rating of 3.5 out of 5.18 ratings
Use your favourite wholemeal shapes and add roasted butternut, shallots, creamy Italian cheese and spinach for a hearty Italian pasta dish
- 55 mins
- Easy
- Healthy
- Vegetarian
Venetian duck ragu
A star rating of 4.8 out of 5.115 ratings
Cinnamon adds complexity to this slow-cooked pasta sauce, which goes perfectly with large tubular paccheri pasta, or ribbons of pappardelle
- 2 hrs 45 mins
- Easy
- Healthy
A star rating of 4.2 out of 5.16 ratings
This good-for-you baked chicken dish is perfect for entertaining. Serve on a bed of potatoes with a crisp side salad
- 1 hr 5 mins
- Easy
- Healthy
Low-fat turkey bolognese
A star rating of 4.4 out of 5.50 ratings
Swap your usual beef mince for turkey to reduce the fat content of this classic Italian sauce. Serve with wholemeal pasta for a hearty weeknight meal
- 55 mins
- Easy
- Healthy
Roasted pepper linguine with crisp crumbs
A star rating of 4.3 out of 5.8 ratings
A good-for-you vegetarian pasta served with roasted peppers, tangy green olives, sweet basil and chilli breadcrumbs
- 45 mins
- Easy
- Healthy
- Vegetarian
A star rating of 3.5 out of 5.10 ratings
Whizz up a quick homemade pesto with parsley and lemon juice, then serve spooned through hot pasta with fish, tomatoes and green beans
- 25 mins
- Easy
- Healthy
Sea bream in crazy water (Orata all’acqua pazza)
A star rating of 4.9 out of 5.30 ratings
Use super-ripe tomatoes in this Italian fish recipe to add extra sweetness to the spicy broth
- 40 mins
- Easy
- Healthy
- Gluten-free
A star rating of 4.7 out of 5.60 ratings
Try a new take on pesto and blend red peppers, cashew nuts and parsley then serve spooned through hot pasta
- 15 mins
- Easy
- Healthy
- Vegetarian
A star rating of 4 out of 5.4 ratings
A healthy, vegetarian pasta dish with tomatoes, capers, olives and lots of basil
- 15 mins
- Easy
- Healthy
- Vegetarian

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FAQs

Is the Italian cuisine healthy? ›

Although Italy is known for its pizza and pasta, it is the healthiest country in the world because of its food. Meals are both healthy and delicious, and you can still lose weight following an Italian diet. Healthy fats, fresh veggies, and, yes, wonderful pasta all contribute to the country's low obesity rates.

What is the number 1 Italian dish? ›

Pizza. Besides pasta, pizza is perhaps the most popular and recognized Italian food. Pizza is considered a national symbol representing Italy to the rest of the world, so much so that UNESCO has acknowledged pizza as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

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Is pasta or pizza healthier? ›

However, pizza has more calories than pasta, 285 in a slice of pizza versus 220 in a cup of cooked pasta. This is attributed to the fact that the fat content in a slice of cheese pizza is much higher – almost 9 grams higher – than in a cup of cooked pasta.

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Is pasta in Italy healthier? ›

Italian pasta is known for its simplicity in terms of ingredients. This traditional pasta is made from durum wheat semolina and water without additives often added to some American brands. Focusing on high-quality, minimalistic ingredients boosts Italian pasta's overall health profile.

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What Italian dish has the least calories? ›

Minestrone

An eight-ounce serving of broth-based minestrone at Olive Garden is only 110 calories with one gram of fat, making it an ideal option to help fill you up before the main course.

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What do Italians eat for a healthy breakfast? ›

Yoghurt and Fruit

Italians also love to have breakfast with yoghurt and fresh fruit. In order to be even more healthy, you may choose low-fat yoghurts and seasonal fruit. To have a complete meal you can add some dried fruit – highly satiating – and a teaspoon of honey.

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What do Italians eat daily? ›

A typical Italian diet consists of three meals in a day. The most common foods in the Italian diet include pasta, cheese, vegetables, olive oil, meats, and wine. Italians give a lot of importance to fresh ingredients. They use seasonal ingredients to prepare meals.

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How do Italians eat pasta and not get fat? ›

Have you ever wondered why the Italian do not get fat despite an abundance of pizza, pasta, and dairy? Well, it is because of the Mediterranean diet! People in Italy enjoy a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, beans, tomatoes, poultry, whole grains, olive oil, red wine, dairy ― and they consume very little red meat.

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Is Italian food healthier than American food? ›

Real Health Benefits Of The Italian Diet

Italians and those who eat the Mediterranean diet tend to have significantly lower body weight and far fewer heart problems such as heart attacks.

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What is a true Italian dinner? ›

Primi Piatti is the first official course in a traditional Italian meal. Pasta, risotto, soup, polenta, and casserole—the “pastabilities” are endless when choosing what primo piatto you want to indulge in. By the time primi rolls around, you're absolutely famished.

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What is the most eaten Italian food? ›

Pizza. A list of the most iconic foods to eat in Italy wouldn't be complete without the humble pizza. Easy, cheap, and filling, pizza has long been a common snack or meal, especially in Naples where tomato sauce was first added.

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What is a healthy Italian breakfast? ›

A healthy Italian breakfast might consist of some bread, butter, jam, some yogurt, and fruit. Italians also eat muesli and cereal in the mornings with yogurt or milk. A combination of dried fruit, fresh fruit, nuts, and yogurt is a healthy and popular option.

What is the most common diet in Italy? ›

The most common foods in the Italian diet include pasta, cheese, vegetables, olive oil, meats, and wine. Italians give a lot of importance to fresh ingredients. They use seasonal ingredients to prepare meals.

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Is Italian food heart healthy? ›

The staples in Mediterranean cuisine, such as fresh fish, olive oil, and salads are perfect for a heart-healthy diet. Many Italian ingredients, like spinach and onions, are also rich in Vitamin A, selenium, beta-carotene, lycopene, and unsaturated fats.

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