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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

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