Red Clam Sauce
This recipe tastes like it’s taken you all day to make. Instead, it cooks while you take care of other things. What a great way to jazz up pasta sauce! —JoAnn Brown, LaTrobe, Pennsylvania
Pesto Shrimp Pasta
A dash of red pepper puts zip in this lively main dish from Gloria Jones Grenga of Newnan, Georgia.
Honeydew & Prosciutto Salad
For parties, I turn melon and prosciutto into an easy salad with a honey mustard dressing. To add zip, stir in fresh basil and mint. —Julie Merriman, Seattle, Washington
Turkey Sausage with Pasta
If you’re looking for recipes with turkey sausage, stop here. This has the perfect blend of meaty, veggie and cheesy goodness. You’ll be craving what’s good for you when this pasta dish is on the menu. —Mary Tallman, Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin
Watermelon Gazpacho
This is a delightfully simple, elegant dish. Serve as a side or with pita and hummus for a meal. It’s so refreshing—guests will love it. —Nicole Deelah, Nashville, Tennessee
Penne with Veggies and Black Beans
Chock-full of zucchini, tomatoes, sweet pepper and carrots, this hearty pasta dish puts your garden harvest to good use. For variety, I sometimes add one-half cup of salsa or one-half cup of thickened teriyaki sauce, writes Vickie Spoerle of Indianapolis, Indiana.
Spring Green Risotto
Once a week, I create a new recipe for my blog, An Officer and a Vegan. I first made this risotto when I needed something cheerful and comforting. It would be fantastic with asparagus, zucchini or summer squash, but use whatever veggies are in season. —Deanna McDonald, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Whole Wheat Veggie Pizza
A wonderful crust layered with herbed tomato sauce and toppings encourages my family of six to dig right in to this low-fat main course. —Denise Warner, Red Lodge, Montana
Arugula Salad with Shaved Parmesan
A mother deserves a beautiful salad that combines her favorite flavors, like fresh peppery greens, golden raisins, crunchy almonds and shredded Parmesan. I put this simple arugula salad together for my mom, and the whole family ended up loving it! —Nicole Rash, Boise, Idaho
Tuna Steak on Fettuccine
For something new to do with tuna, I suggest this tangy dish. Although I prefer the marinade on tuna or mahi mahi, it’s scrumptious on any fish, grilled, baked or broiled. —Caren Stearns, Austin, Texas
Tuscan Portobello Stew
This is a heart-healthy, one-skillet meal that is quick and easy to prepare, yet elegant enough for company. Vegetarian teachers and students alike appreciate this stew at school potlucks. —Jane Siemon, Viroqua, Wisconsin
Italian Sausage Veggie Skillet
We love Italian sausage sandwiches, but the bread isn’t diet friendly for me, so I created this recipe to satisfy my craving. If you like some heat, use hot peppers in place of the sweet peppers. —Tina M. Howells, Salem, Ohio
Grilled Pistachio-Lemon Pesto Shrimp
Besides tasting great with shrimp, this pesto can be used on pasta or spread on a portobello mushroom or garlic bread topped with melted mozzarella. —Amy Jo Dale, Long Beach, California
Contest-Winning Easy Minestrone
This minestrone soup recipe is special to me because it’s one of the few dinners my entire family loves. And I can feel good about serving it because it’s full of nutrition and low in fat. —Lauren Brennan, Hood River, Oregon
Rosemary Chicken with Spinach & Beans
With two young boys constantly on-the-go, I’m always looking for ways to simplify meals. Since this recipe uses just one skillet, it’s a cinch to prepare when I only have a half-hour to make dinner for a hungry family. —Sara Richardson, Littleton, Colorado
Tasty Marinated Tomatoes
My niece introduced me to this colorful recipe some time ago. I now make it when I have buffets or large gatherings because it can be prepared hours ahead. —Myrtle Matthews, Marietta, Georgia
Grilled Basil Chicken and Tomatoes
Relax after work with a cold drink while this savory chicken marinates in an herby tomato blend for an hour, then toss it on the grill. It tastes just like summer. —Laura Lunardi, West Chester, Pennsylvania
Rigatoni Chard Toss
I had to get my firefighter husband to eat more fruits and veggies to lower his cholesterol and triglycerides. Fresh chard and tomatoes add a lot of fiber and vitamins to our diets, but we love this recipe for the flavor. While he would never admit to eating “health food” around the firehouse, this dish is one of many that made his trips to the doctor much more pleasant! —Carolyn Kumpe, El Dorado, California
Cacciatore Chicken Breasts
JoAnn McCauley of Dubuque, Iowa shares her version of traditional Chicken Cacciatore with this easy recipe. The tasty sauce and chicken can be served over rice or noodles. If you want to lower the sodium, use garlic powder instead of garlic salt.
Caprese Salad Kabobs
Trade in the usual veggie party platter for these fun kabobs. I often make it for my family to snack on, and it’s a great recipe for the kids to help make. —Christine Mitchell, Glendora, California
Italian Beef and Shells
A veggie and pasta combo makes a hearty entree that comes together easily. Wine lends an extra touch of flavor to the sauce and makes this main dish a winner. —Mike Tchou, Pepper Pike, Ohio
Italian Pork Stew
Don’t skip the anchovy paste! It gives a good, salty flavor, but doesn’t taste fishy at all. Add a salad and crusty bread for an incredible meal. —Lynne German, Woodland Hills, California
Pizza Spaghetti
This recipe came to me when I saw someone dip a slice of pizza into a pasta dish. My wife and kids love it and so do my friends! —Robert Smith, Las Vegas, Nevada
Three-Green Salad
For a crisp, refreshing side dish, this tasty salad can’t be beat. The bold flavor and crunch really wake up your taste buds. It’s the perfect salad to go with lasagna. —Gina Squires, Salem, Oregon
Bulgur Turkey Manicotti
The addition of wholesome bulgur gives extra nutrition to this Italian entree. It’s so zesty and flavorful, your family will never realize it’s good for them. —Mary Gunderson, Conrad, Iowa
Tuscan Chicken and Beans
Rosemary and beans make a nice rustic Italian meal in this flavorful dish. —Marie Rizzio, Interlochen, Michigan
Makeover Easy Beef-Stuffed Shells
Enjoy the convenience of this make-ahead dish or bake right away. Either way, it has half the saturated fat of the original recipe but is just as meaty. —Blair Lonergan, Rochelle, Virginia
Stuffed Vegetarian Shells
When my aunt first told me about these shells, they sounded like a lot of work—but the recipe whips up in no time. Sometimes I add a little cooked bacon to the ricotta filling. —Amelia Hopkin, Salt Lake, Utah
Zucchini Lasagna
I plant zucchini every year, and we always seem to have more than we can use! This recipe is a particularly delicious way to use our abundant crop. —Charlotte McDaniel, Williamsville, Illinois
Italian Sausage-Stuffed Zucchini
I’ve always had to be creative when getting my family to eat vegetables, so I decided to make stuffed zucchini using the pizza flavors that everyone loves. It worked! We like to include sausage for a main dish but it could be a meatless side dish, too. —Donna Marie Ryan, Topsfield, Massachusetts
Speedy Chicken Marsala
This is one of my favorite dishes to order in restaurants, so I created a version that I could make in a flash on a weeknight at home. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Turkey Meatballs and Sauce
My sweetie and I have fought the battle of the bulge forever. This is my less-fattening take on meatballs. They’re slow-cooker easy, and so flavorful! — Jane McMillan, Dania Beach, Florida
Quick Turkey Scallopini
Here’s one of my most-requested recipes, thanks to the special white wine and mustard sauce. It makes an ordinary weeknight dinner feel like a little party. —Susan Warren, North Manchester, Indiana
Sweet Onion & Sausage Spaghetti
Sweet onion seasons turkey, adding rich flavor to Mary Relyea’s wholesome pasta dish. At home in Canastota, New York, she tosses it together with light cream, basil and tomatoes for a quick, springy meal in minutes.
Tuscan Pork Stew
Tender chunks of pork slowly cook in a nicely seasoned, wine-infused sauce. Add some crushed red pepper flakes for a little extra kick.—Penny Hawkins, Mebane, North Carolina
Italian Hot Dish
My husband had a poor perception of healthy food until he tried this beefy casserole. The combination of pasta, oregano, mushrooms and green peppers make it a favorite in our house. —Theresa Smith, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Elegant Pork Marsala
Wine and mushrooms lend elegance to this oh-so-simple pork dish. Use pre-sliced mushrooms and minced garlic to save time. Cleanup is one-pan easy. —Kim Gillis, High Falls, New York
Slow-Cooker Ratatouille
Not only does this classic recipe make a phenomenal side dish, you can also serve it with sliced French bread for a warm and easy appetizer. Try it in the summer with your garden-fresh vegetables. —Jolene Walters, North Miami, Florida
Chicken Merlot with Mushrooms
Slow cooked and savory, this dish is perfect for any night of the week, and is sure to become a staple in your home.–Shelli McWilliam of Salem, Oregon
Saucy Vegetable Tofu
This is my daughter Tonya’s favorite meal. Sometimes we make it with rigatoni and call it “Riga-Tonya.” It’s a great dinner and a nice way to prepare yummy vegetables for the kids. —Sandra Eckert, Pottstown, Pennsylvania
Shrimp Puttanesca
I throw together these bold ingredients for a feisty seafood pasta. —Lynda Balslev, Sausalito, California
Shrimp Piccata
This easy recipe is part of a meal plan along with “Balsamic Brioled Asparagus”. I typically serve this with crusty french bread and Balsamic Broiled Asparagus.
Pesto Halibut
The mildness of the fish contrasts perfectly with the deep flavor of the sauce. This pesto halibut takes just minutes to prep, so it’s a great dinner for weeknights. —April Showalter, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Salmon with Balsamic-Honey Glaze
Look no further—you’ve just found the first, last and only way you’ll ever want to fix salmon again. The sweet and tangy flavors blend beautifully in this easy-to-remember recipe. —Mary Lou Timpson, Centennial Park, Arizona
Italian Pork and Potato Casserole
This recipe has been enjoyed by three generations of my family. My mother concocted it years ago using a few ingredients she said were handy at the time. The aroma from these ingredients brings back fond memories of home.
Chunky Chicken Cacciatore
This recipe is so versatile! Look in your fridge for anything else you want to throw in, like red pepper, mushrooms, extra zucchini—you name it. And if you’re a vegetarian, go ahead and leave out the chicken. —Stephanie Loaiza, Layton, Utah
Chicken Strips Milano
A dear friend shared this recipe a few years ago. Since then, I’ve prepared this garlicky and delightful entree for both family dinners and get-togethers. —Lara Priest, Gansevoort, New York
Italian Mushroom Meat Loaf
Healthful oats and flaxseed amp up the nutrition in this tasty meat loaf. —Kylie Werning, Candler, North Carolina
The post 48 Healthy Italian Dinners That Are Guilt-Free appeared first on Taste of Home.
Laurie Dixon