Not every Italian dish needs to be smothered in mozzarella. Check out some of our favorite low-calorie Italian recipes including caponata, frittata, soups and much more.
25 Low-Calorie Italian Recipes You’ll Fall in Amore With
Garlic Tomato Bruschetta
This appetizer or side dish makes a crispy complement to any Italian entree. I just started with my grandmother’s bruschetta recipe and added fresh tomatoes! It’s one of the yummiest bruschetta recipes I’ve found. —Jean Franzoni, Rutland, Vermont
1/24
2/24
Frittata Florentine
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My family is all about brunchy meals like this gorgeous Italian omelet. Lucky for us, it’s loaded with ingredients we tend to have at the ready. —Jenny Flake, Newport Beach, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 176 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 174mg cholesterol, 451mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 15g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 medium-fat meat, 1/2 fat.
3/24
Slow-Cooker Caponata
Total Time
5 hours 20 min
Servings
6 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
This Italian eggplant dip preps quickly and actually gets better as it stands. Serve it warm or at room temperature. Try adding a little leftover caponata to scrambled eggs for a savory breakfast. —Nancy Beckman, Helena, Montana
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup: 34 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 189mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein.
4/24
Feta Tomato-Basil Fish
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I rely on my husband for the main ingredient in this fuss-free dish. He fills our freezer after his summer fishing trip. —Alicia Szeszol, Lindenhurst, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 241 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 113mg cholesterol, 660mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 28g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1 fat.
5/24
Italian Cornmeal Spritz Cookies
Total Time
45 min
Servings
5-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
A chef at a local culinary school gave me this recipe, and I've been using it for years. Italian cornmeal cookies are from the Piedmont region of northern Italy. They're not too sweet, and the glazed cherries add just the right touch. — Kristine Chayes, Smithtown, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 47 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 18mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
6/24
Artichoke Caprese Platter
Total Time
15 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I dressed up the classic Italian trio of mozzarella, tomatoes and basil with marinated artichokes. It looks so yummy on a pretty platter set out on a buffet. Using fresh mozzarella is the key to its great taste. —Margaret Wilson, San Bernardino, California
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 192 calories, 16g fat (7g saturated fat), 30mg cholesterol, 179mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 7g protein.
7/24
Air-Fryer Eggplant
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My kids love these air-fryer fries, and I like that they're healthy. Coated with Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese and garlic salt, these eggplant fries are delicious and guilt-free. —Mary Murphy, Atwater, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 135 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 577mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 9g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 fat, 0.500 starch.
8/24
Italian Sausage Orzo Soup
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I always look for recipes high in taste and nutrition but low on prep time and fat. This thick, chunky soup fills the bill and is such a family favorite that I serve it at least once a month! —Deborah Redfield, Buena Park, California
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 236 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 819mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 4g fiber), 12g protein.
9/24
Italian Wedding Cookies
Total Time
40 min
Servings
about 7 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Of all the Italian cookie recipes I make, this is my favorite. These sprinkle cookies take some time, but, believe me, they are well worth it! My husband and I used to operate an Italian American restaurant, and this recipe goes back generations. —Gloria Cracchiolo, Newburgh, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 87 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 13mg cholesterol, 49mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
10/24
Sausage Orzo
Total Time
40 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This light dish is perfect for any night of the week, and it looks as good as it tastes! If you have leftover sauteed mushrooms or other vegetables, toss them in as well. —Lisa Speer, Palm Beach, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 265 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 37mg cholesterol, 623mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 7g fiber), 16g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 lean meat.
11/24
12/24
Chicken Provolone
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Chicken Provolone, though one of my simplest dishes, is one of my husband’s favorites. It is easy to prepare and looks fancy served on a dark plate with a garnish of fresh parsley or basil. Add some buttered noodles for an easy side dish. —Dawn Bryant, Thedford, Nebraska
Nutrition Facts:
1 chicken breast half: 236 calories, 11g fat (6g saturated fat), 89mg cholesterol, 435mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 33g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat.
13/24
Pressure-Cooker Sicilian Steamed Leeks
Total Time
15 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love the challenge of developing recipes for the fresh leek from my garden, a delicious but underused vegetable. This Italian-flavored dish is a family favorite. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 83 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 77mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1/2 fat.
14/24
Mediterranean Broccoli & Cheese Omelet
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My Italian mother-in-law taught me to make this omelet years ago—she would make it for breakfast, lunch or dinner and eat it on Italian bread. This is one of my favorite ways to use up leftover broccoli. —Mary Licata, Pembroke Pines, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 wedge (calculated without shaved Romano cheese): 229 calories, 17g fat (5g saturated fat), 290mg cholesterol, 775mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 15g protein.
15/24
Slow-Cooker Italian Mushrooms
Total Time
5 hours 10 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For big family gatherings, I love to make these mushrooms—everyone always wants to know what the secret ingredient is! They’re a star as a side dish, and leftovers go well with steaks or a roast. —Becky Schmitz, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 221 calories, 19g fat (11g saturated fat), 46mg cholesterol, 1394mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.
16/24
Hearty Minestrone Soup
Total Time
55 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This fresh-tasting minestrone soup gets its zesty flavor from Italian sausage. When you want to use up your garden bounty of zucchini, try this recipe. If your family likes food extra spicy, use hot bulk Italian sausage instead. —Donna Smith, Fairport, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 224 calories, 16g fat (6g saturated fat), 38mg cholesterol, 901mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 4g fiber), 10g protein.
17/24
Mini Mediterranean Pizza
Total Time
19 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I was on a mini pizza kick and had already served up Mexican and Italian variations, so I opted for a Mediterranean version and came up with these. —Jenny Dubinsky, Inwood, West Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
1 pizza: 287 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol, 783mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 4g fiber), 21g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat.
18/24
Italian Cloud Eggs
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Drop egg yolks on nests of whipped Italian-seasoned egg whites, then bake in a cast-iron skillet. Dreamy!—Matthew Hass, Franklin, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 96 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 190mg cholesterol, 234mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 8g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 medium-fat meat.
19/24
Eggplant Roll-Ups
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We love these easy Italian eggplant roll-ups stuffed with creamy ricotta and spinach. The fact that they are vegetarian is a bonus! —Laura Haugen, Portland, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
3 roll-ups: 257 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 652mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 8g fiber), 12g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 medium-fat meat, 1/2 fat.
20/24
Sicilian Brussels Sprouts
Total Time
50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love to make this dish because the flavors jumping around in your mouth keep you coming back bite after bite. Other nuts can be used in place of the pine nuts. — Marsha Gillett, Yukon, Oklahoma
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 235 calories, 17g fat (4g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 723mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 4g fiber), 9g protein.
21/24
Chicken Meatball Soup
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings (3 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
In North Dakota, it's pretty common for winter temps to fall below zero. Hearty soups like this are a must. —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 265 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 61mg cholesterol, 828mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 8g fiber), 20g protein.
22/24
Chocolate Amaretti
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These classic almond paste cookies are like ones you'd find in an Italian bakery. My husband and children are always excited when I include these goodies in my holiday baking lineup. —Kathy Long, Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 92 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 6mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
23/24
Roasted Tomato Soup
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Just before the first frost of the season, we gather up all of the tomatoes from my mom’s garden to create this flavor-packed soup. Although it sounds like a lot of garlic, when it’s roasted, the garlic becomes mellow and almost sweet. We serve this soup with toasted bread spread with pesto. —Kaitlyn Lerdahl, Madison, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 276 calories, 22g fat (6g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 421mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 5g fiber), 4g protein.
24/24
Italian Shredded Pork Stew
Total Time
8 hours 20 min
Servings
9 servings (about 3-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Need a warm meal for a chilly night? Throw together this slow-cooked stew that’s brightened with fresh sweet potatoes, kale and Italian seasoning. The shredded pork is so tender, you’re going to want to make this dish all season long. —Robin Jungers, Campbellsport, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 283 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 78mg cholesterol, 860mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 24g protein.