Viva Italiano! 14 Lightened-Up Italian Recipes

For a refreshing salad with an Italian twist, whip up this caprese salad that is packed with both fiber and protein.

If you love the bright flavor of traditional pesto but you want to skip all the calories, this basil pesto recipe is a healthy topping for pasta or pizza.

For a 357-calorie dinner that packs in 47 grams of protein, enjoy a serving of baked chicken parmesan that's crunchy and bursting with Italian flavor.

This Paleo spin on spaghetti and meatballs uses spaghetti squash as a nutrient-rich alternative to traditional pasta.

Instead of the traditional stuffed shells, whip up this vegan recipe for a lightened-up alternative that truly tastes like the real thing.

Penne alla vodka is an Italian staple that heavily lays on the cream and calories. Even without the booze and significantly less dairy thrown into the pot, this penne alla "not-ka" brings the same tangy flavor and comforting texture indicative of the original.

Instead of veal or chicken, try out lightened-up fish parmigiana. It's far less fattening and calorie-laden than the restaurant options.

Why buy a pizza when it takes less time to make one? Gluten-free pizza crust is incredibly simple to make and packs in enough protein to forgo the meat if you choose!

Another gluten-free option! Cute quinoa pizza bites bring all the classic flavors of pizza to the table. They hold their cute shape after being cooked in a muffin tin.

This fettuccine alfredo dramatically lightens the load by making wise (low-fat) dairy choices that don't affect the flavor or texture and by skipping the butter altogether. And it's fewer than 350 calories per serving!

Bring some grain power to the table with a variation on the classic Italian staple. Turkey and quinoa balls stuffed with goat cheese make an elegant appetizer for cocktail hour or a healthier addition to your spaghetti.

Heavy layers of meat and cup upon cup of cheese go into classic lasagna, but this recipe for spicy cauliflower lasagna takes a guilt-free twist on tradition.

Gooey Italian-style spinach dip is always a welcome treat that packs on the calories. This creamy kale ricotta dip is surprisingly delicious! And at only 24 calories per 1/4-cup serving (not to mention a good dose of vitamin A), it's practically guilt-free.

Cut the calories with this recipe for 30-minute oven-baked eggplant parmesan. Not only will you save calories, but you'll also save plenty of time by cutting out all that coating and frying.