18 healthy Italian recipes

Check out our ideas below, and then take a look at our healthy curry recipes, healthy takeaways and healthy pasta recipes.

18 healthy Italian recipes

Chicken traybake with lemon, orzo and olives

This chicken tray bake with lemon, olives and orzo is a great midweek meal for all the family. It's super simple, and low in calories.

Healthy spaghetti bolognese

This spaghetti bolognese has slightly less meat in than usual but no less flavour, and is bulked out with lentils for healthy fibre. You could also use vegetarian mince, if you like.

Vegan risotto

Fennel, courgette, peas and parsley make for a wonderfully green risotto. Flavoured with nutritional yeast in place of parmesan, it's a lovely, light version of this Italian favourite.

Marinated summer veg antipasti

Our antipasti recipe uses a colourful combination of summer veg. It's a healthy mix of aubergines, peppers, courgette and mushrooms – serve with crusty bread to mop up the juices.

Chicken, red pepper and olive cacciatore

This summery Italian one-pot is simple to make and freezes brilliantly, plus, it's a great healthy dinner idea and gluten-free. The recipe is easily halved if you only want three or four portions. See more of our easy chicken casserole recipes.

Cod, cherry tomato and green olive traybake

This recipe for cod, cherry tomato and green olive tray roast is so quick and easy to prepare but looks impressive when you pull it out of the oven. Serve with a big bowl of buttered orzo.

Italian sausage and veg tray roast

For a low-calorie dinner, try this easy traybake. It's ideal when you're short on time. Just bang it all in the oven and you have yourself a hearty meal.

Healthy prawn linguine with ’nduja

'Nduja is a spicy, spreadable sausage from Italy. It works really well in this healthy prawn pasta, which is super-quick and easy to make, but is packed with big Italian flavours. This is perfect for a midweek meal.

Orzo deli salad

Check out this super simple orzo salad recipe with crunchy red onion and sweet SunBlush tomatoes. This vegan salad recipe is easy to make and low in calories.

Orecchiette pasta salad with prawns, basil, feta and tomato caper dressing

Check out this pasta salad with crumbly feta, prawns, basil and a simple caper and tomato dressing. This quick dish is low in calories and ready in under 30 minutes.

Tuscan bean and barley stew

This stew is a perfect one to have on hand for a quick and healthy dinner. It's ready in 30 minutes, serves four and is incredibly nourishing. You can use any leafy greens for this, just whatever you have around. We've got plenty more 30-minute dinner recipes.

Tuscan pork steaks

This quick pork dish ticks all the healthy-eating boxes. It's filling, low in fat, low in sugar, low in salt and high in protein.

Pasta alla norma

Check out this easy gluten free tomato penne alla norma with aubergine topped with fresh basil. This simple recipe is veggie friendly and low in calories.

Spicy prawn linguine

This spicy prawn linguine has a rich tomato sauce with a good chilli kick. It's great served with a rocket salad on the side.

Sicilian-style fish stew

Here, white fish is gently simmered in a tomato and couscous sauce and topped with zesty gremolata. A filling and healthy dinner idea that is light but still packed with protein.

Spinach and risotto-stuffed tomatoes

This is a simple, healthy meat-free dinner made from leftover risotto, pine nuts and lots of spinach.

Butternut squash lasagne

This vegetarian take on a family favourite is perfect if you're trying to pack in more veg at meal times. It's ready in just 30 minutes, too.

Lentil ‘meatballs’ with fresh tomato sauce

Lentils are a great way to make a meal vegetarian. Here, they're used to create an alternative to traditional meatballs and are served with orzo pasta, Italian style.