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6 Healthy Italian Recipes That Are Surprisingly Easy to Make

6 Healthy Italian Recipes That Are Surprisingly Easy to Make

By Liz Mervosh

August 05, 2020

Credit: Greg DuPree

While Italian food might make you think of pizza, meatballs, and everything parmigiana, the cuisine also celebrates light, healthy ingredients, prepared simply to let them shine.

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1 of 6

Charred Vegetable Orecchiette

Credit: Greg DuPree

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Anchovies add depth of flavor, not to mention protein and heart-healthy omega-3s. And believe it or not, there's no fishy taste.

Ingredients: head cauliflower, broccoli rabe, olive oil, garlic, anchovy fillets, fresh rosemary, orecchiette pasta, kosher salt, ground pepper, white wine vinegar, pecorino Romano cheese

Calories: 361

2 of 6

Baked Pear and Chestnut Crumble

Credit: Greg DuPree

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Roasting the pears lends a deep, rich flavor. Add that to tangy yogurt and sweetness from the balsamic vinegar and you've got a refreshingly light dessert.

Ingredients: unsalted butter, rolled oats, roasted chestnuts, whole-wheat flour, light brown sugar, cinnamon, kosher salt, canola oil, Bosc pears, balsamic vinegar, plain fat-free yogurt

Calories: 304

3 of 6

One-Pan Cod with Fennel and Tomatoes

Credit: Greg DuPree

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The anise flavor will be mellower once you cook the fennel, and best of all it's great for aiding digestion.

Ingredients: cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives, garlic, lemon, oregano, kosher salt, olive oil, fennel bulbs, dry white wine, cod loins

Calories: 320

4 of 6

Crispy Mushroom Flatbread

Credit: Greg DuPree

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Mushrooms don't seem like much but they're packed with nutrients, and they lend an umami-rich, savory flavor to this flatbread.

Ingredients: olive oil, fresh mushrooms, honey, balsamic vinegar, ricotta cheese, mixed tender herbs, whole milk, garlic, whole-grain naan flatbreads, sea salt

Calories: 164

5 of 6

Linguine with Clams and Greens

Credit: Greg DuPree

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This classic dish has the flavor you know and love—but gets a nice nutritional boost from lemony kale and whole-wheat pasta.

Ingredients: kale, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, crushed red pepper, little neck clams, dry white wine, linguine, kosher salt, fresh mint

Calories: 446

6 of 6

Pork Tenderloin with Squash 'Noodles' and Arugula

Credit: Greg DuPree

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Pork and prunes are a classic pairing in northern Italian cooking.

Ingredients: olive oil, pork tenderloin, kosher salt, black pepper, prunes, Marsala wine, butternut squash noodles, baby arugula, orange

Calories: 465

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6 Healthy Italian Recipes That Are Surprisingly Easy to Make