Are you in the mood for Italian, but you’re also on the Weight Watchers program? No need to worry because there are 15 ways you can have a delicious Italian meal and still be in complete control of your regimen.
In this blog, we have curated 15 savory recipes from all over the net just for you and we thought of all the possibilities too: sweet, sour, spicy, or even veggie. That means you don’t have to worry about a thing!
So, if you’re set to try those recipes, pull out your chef’s hat, race to the kitchen, and let’s get started!
Chicken Avocado Caprese Salad
If you’re thinking of having a big family picnic or you want something a little festive for dinner, this should be your go-to. Not only is it quick and easy to prepare (20 minutes only), but it’s also very nutritious and tasty, with 3 WW points up for grabs. Though Cafe Delities’s recipe has the Avocado, you can feel free to launch your mixture in the grill for a crisp taste.
Zucchini Noodles with Pesto
While the traditional dish is pasta with Pesto, you can switch things up a little and replace the spaghetti with zucchini, which bumps up your meal to 4WW points. With the recipe from Two Peas and a Pod, this Italian dinner makes for the perfect recipe for both breakfast, lunch, or a family dinner.
Spaghetti Squash with Marinara Sauce
Another alternative for spaghetti (if you want to try something other than zucchini) is spaghetti squash. Tasty and delicious, the recipe from I Heart Vegetables recommends making some homemade marinara sauce as a side with some thymes and herbs to make this low-calorie dish. For the record, it’s 2WW points!
Chicken Piccata
Famous and delicious, this is another Italian-based dish that’s great for you if you’re on the Weight Watchers program. Sitting at just 5WW points, this lemon sauce-soaked chicken breast with capers and whole wheat spaghetti should be your go-to for every average meal. But beyond that, this dish from The Mordern Proper is also great for kids and seniors.
Eggplant Parmesan
Parmesan will never go out of style, but have you tried slicing some baked eggplants into the dish? Eggplant is known for its antioxidant properties, which makes it both a nutritious and a low-calorie diet. The Love and Lemon recipe causes the Eggplant Parmesan to sit at 4 WW points, and if you wish, you can use either the marinara sauce mentioned earlier or a reduced-fat mozzarella cheese. Yum!
Turkey and Spinach Stuffed Shells
Moving on from chicken, you can create a delicious, low-calorie, Italian-inspired dish with Turkey. The recipe from Mighty Mrs just needs you to stuff jumbo pasta shells with a tasty mixture of ground turkey, spinach, and low-fat ricotta cheese. Don’t forget to bake it in marinara sauce, and you’ll still be within the 5WW points limit. But what about soups?
Minestrone Soup
This hearty vegetable-based soup by Love and Lemons is one of the most delicious, low-calorie soups you can make this season, and it’s sitting at just 3WW points. Prepared with beans and pasta, this Italian classic is perfect for a light dinner or a simple, classy luncheon with friends. Plus, it only takes 45 minutes to prepare.
Cauliflower Pizza
Who does not love pizza? An absolutely iconic dish from Italy, pizza is one of the few classic go-tos for an Italian-inspired dish. However, who says you have to stick to the traditional recipe? Going by the recipe from Downshiftology, you can switch the traditional crust to a cauliflower crust to make a delicious and healthier pizza. Also, you can feel free to top it with your favorite low-point toppings, and you’ll still get between 4 -5 WW points.
Shrimp Scampi
Seafood lovers can try this delicious Italian-themed, fancy dish, especially if there’s going to be an elegant gathering. All you need to do is follow the recipe from NYT Cooking, which will only take you just 15 minutes to prepare. You’ll also need to note that, for you to land the 4 WW points mark, the succulent shrimps should be sautéed with either garlic or lemon juice and just a touch of butter. You can serve this over whole wheat pasta or zucchini noodles, your choice.
Mushroom Risotto
Have you considered making creamy risotto with mushrooms, Arborio rice, and a splash of white wine? If you haven’t, then you need to give this tasty 5WW point dish from BBC Good Food’s recipe a go. Not only is it a savory meal for a light-weight dinner, but it’s also a fancy meal for gatherings.
Pasta Primavera
For vegetarians who need more options than the previously mentioned mushroom risotto, you can try Cooking Classy’s Pasta Primavera. Fresh and flavorful, it is a medley of seasonal vegetables and whole wheat pasta tossed in a light olive oil and garlic sauce. While it’s only at 5 WW points, feel free to serve this delicacy with a low-calorie drink on the side.
Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Chicken Breast
Sitting at 3 WW points, this recipe is the sweet combination of chicken breasts filled with a mixture of spinach and low-fat ricotta cheese, then baked to perfection. It may take you about 50 minutes, but if you follow the Spoonful of Flavor’s recipe to the letter, then it’ll be worth the wait.
Tomato Basil Soup
Tomato and Basil are two of the most nutritious fresh foods ever. With numerous health benefits, including strengthening the immune system and serving as antioxidants for the body, a mixture of these two inside soup is just perfect. With Love and Lemons’ recipe, this 2 WW point dish is made even more delicious with garnishing from thyme, herbs, and perfect seasoning. Better served hot.
Lemon Garlic Shrimp with Angel Hair Pasta
Another alternative for regular pasta is angel hair pasta, which not only has a lower calorie amount but has also been proven to taste ten times better when served with shrimp cooked in a lemony garlic sauce. Sitting at 5 WW points, this recipe by Averie Cooks only takes 30 minutes to make.
Vegetable Lasagna
Our final Italian-inspired dish is the classic, iconic one-pot lasagna. But instead of the regular meat-filled, calorie-stashed meal, you can switch up the ingredients for sautéed vegetables, low-fat ricotta cheese, and marinara sauce. Cookie and Kate’s recipe calls this dish at 4WW points, and on top of that, it’s a great vegetarian dish that’s also tasty for all, including kids who usually do not like veggies.
Now that you’ve explored these delightful recipes, why not dive right in and get cooking? The kitchen is your canvas, and you can be as creative as you like with these dishes. Mix and match ingredients to suit your tastes and preferences. And don’t forget to add some refreshing drinks to complement your meal and make it a complete dining experience.
As you jump on board this tasty adventure, we’d love to hear about your experiences! Feel free to share your thoughts and results in the comments below. Good luck and happy cooking!
