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Healthy Italian Recipes and Menus

Featured Recipes

Penne with Vodka Sauce & Capicola

Our velvety tomato sauce is spiked with cubes of salty capicola and a few shots of vodka. Make it a Meal: Caesar salad and a glass of Pinot Noir will shine with this dish.

» Penne with Vodka Sauce & Capicola

Pork Tenderloin "Rosa di Parma"

This is a traditional roast from the Italian province of Parma, often served for special family celebrations. (“Rosa di Parma” means it's stuffed with Parmigiano-Reggiano and prosciutto.) Typically made with beef, it is equally delicious and more economical made with pork tenderloin and ideal for entertaining parties of 8 to 10. Seek out true Italian Prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano-Reggiano for this dish—even though they are more costly, the superior flavor is worth the expense.

» Pork Tenderloin "Rosa di Parma"

Chicken Piccata with Pasta & Mushrooms

Our chicken piccata, served over whole-wheat pasta, has a rich lemon-caper sauce that's made with extra-virgin olive oil and just a touch of butter for flavor. If you like, you can use a mild fish like tilapia or even shrimp instead of chicken breast.

» Chicken Piccata with Pasta & Mushrooms

Italian Hazelnut Cookies

These crispy cookies are made with Piedmontese staples—hazelnuts and eggs—and called Brutti Ma Buoni: literally, “Ugly But Good.” But they are really more plain-looking than “ugly,” and pack a powerful, sweet, nutty burst of flavor, making them welcome at any table.

» Italian Hazelnut Cookies

Grissini

Long, crispy, thin breadsticks like these grissini are laid right on the tablecloth at many Piedmontese restaurants.

» Grissini

Hunter's Chicken Stew

Hunter's Chicken is found across Northern Italy, with many variations. This version uses meaty bone-in chicken thighs and is full of onions, mushrooms and tomatoes. It's also delicious served over egg noodles.

» Hunter's Chicken Stew

Creamy Polenta

This easy polenta takes only a few minutes of stirring before it's left to cook on its own to creamy perfection. If you have leftovers, chill them overnight in a greased pan, slice into slabs, brush with canola oil and broil until both sides begin to crisp. Serve as a side dish at supper or for breakfast with maple syrup or honey.

» Creamy Polenta


Enjoy the healthy flavors of rustic Italy—from quick salads and sides to delicious main dishes.

Italian food is more than just pasta—the cuisine of Italy has a diverse range of dishes to please every palate. Each region has iconic dishes influenced by its terrain and any neighboring countries. Italian cuisine is emblematic of the Mediterranean Diet, recognized as one of the world’s healthiest. The tenets of the Mediterranean Diet tie together Italian food: lots of fresh vegetables, fruits and grains; beans and fresh fish as the main sources of protein as well as lots of olive oil. Meat is used sparingly, rather than being a daily staple. Start enjoying one of the world’s healthiest diets with these healthy, tasty Italian-inspired recipes.

Healthy Main Dish Recipes

Use any vegetable in place of pungent broccoli rabe to make this a family-pleaser....
The assertive flavor of broccoli rabe can be a schoolyard bully in dishes. But here...
Escarole adds an assertive bite to an Italian-themed soup that would otherwise be...
Don't be afraid of escarole, which looks like slightly frilly romaine lettuce,...
Dried porcini give an earthy, punch to this Italian classic. Although it tastes...
We use just a touch of pancetta—cured Italian-style bacon—to balance the sweet...
For this recipe, convenient store-bought potato gnocchi are tossed with delicate...
Grilled polenta tops sweet shrimp tossed with a spicy tomato and escarole sauce for...
Hunter's Chicken is found across Northern Italy, with many variations. This...
Our velvety tomato sauce is spiked with cubes of salty capicola and a few shots of...
This healthful and comforting vegetarian casserole is perfect on a cool night or any...
This dish showcases how deliciously pork complements the sweet and tart tastes of...
This is a traditional roast from the Italian province of Parma, often served for...
Eggplant gives this pasta sauce a rich meatiness that complements the ground beef....
This recipe is an example of a favorite Italian trick--getting two dishes out of one...
Superfine angel hair and delicate scallops are coated with a light lemon, white wine...
In this version, the eggs are cooked into a custardlike sauce. An extra step, yes,...
Domestic white (or “button”) mushrooms stand in for the meat in this still-hearty...
Everyone knows tortellini make a quick weeknight pasta dinner—but they also add...
Inspired by the Italian dish spaghetti al tonno e pomodoro, this quick and healthy...
This dish is elegant enough for company, yet easy enough to serve on a weeknight....

Healthy Salads & Side Dishes

Pungent broccoli rabe (or broccoli rape, broccoli raab or rapini) is tossed with a...
For this simple sautéed chard, flavored with rich-tasting pancetta and walnuts, we...
This easy polenta takes only a few minutes of stirring before it's left to cook...
Long, crispy, thin breadsticks like these grissini are laid right on the tablecloth...

Healthy Dessert Recipes

This Italian-inspired dessert is velvety in texture. Milk powder added to the mix...
Here's how we make our luscious Tiramisù with about a third of the fat and half...

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