Carbs aren’t always a high-calorie endeavor. These healthy Italian recipes—from lightened-up spaghetti pie to veggie lasagna—go way beyond pasta and sauce. Plus, each of these protein-packed dishes has less than 400 calories per serving.
Italian Barley and Sausage Casserole
Credit: 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.
Lightened-Up Spaghetti Pie
Credit: 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!
Italian-Style Turkey and Penne Toss
Credit: 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.
Italian Roasted Chicken and Veggie Toss
Credit: 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.
Roasted Salmon with Broccoli and Tomatoes
Credit: 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.
Farfalle with Mushrooms and Spinach
Credit: 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.
Vegetable Lasagna
Credit: 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).
Skillet Lasagna
Credit: Jacob Fox
Lasagna can be a big undertaking, but this skillet version has all your favorite Italian flavors without the same effort of layering a full lasagna. It’s less mess and takes just 30 minutes to make from start to finish. And with 315 calories and 21 grams of protein per serving, the nutrition stats stack up!
Italian-Style Slow Cooker Meatloaf
Credit:
Grant Webster
Tomatoes. parsley and feta cheese add an Italian flair to this hearty staple. With 20 grams of protein per serving and just 194 calories, you’ll definitely feel full.