Italian cuisine is one of the most popular cuisines in the world. From creamy pasta to the lovely bruschetta, there is an abundance of things to choose from when craving a hearty meal. Before we indulge in flavorsome food with these 10 Italian recipes you can eat on a keto diet, let’s first answer some important questions about keto and Italian food:
Are pasta or pizza keto?
Traditional pasta or pizza recipes are not keto friendly. However, you can substitute the pasta or the crust for a low-carb alternative. For pasta, you can use zucchini, squash, cucumber, eggplant, and cabbage. Just cut these veggies into strands or whatever shape of pasta you need. For pizza, you can use cauliflower crust made with almond flour for a low-carb option when making pizza.
What Italian food has the least amount of carbs?
Arguably salads have the least amount of carbs out of all the Italian dishes out there. You can have it for lunch or dinner if you want something light. It’s a good way to eat your veggies and a good source of protein from the meat that’s mixed in.
You might be cutting down on the carbs following your keto plan, but you don’t have to miss out on flavor of Italian cuisine. Head out and grab these ingredients for some amazing keto-friendly Italian recipes.
1. CROCK-POT ITALIAN CRACK CHICKEN FROM KETO IN PEARLS
Like many Italian meals, gnocchi can be heavy when consumed in large portions. Known as a form of pasta, cooked mashed potatoes, eggs, and flour are just some of the ingredients used to create this dish. Melissa’s keto-friendly recipe, however, is made from blanched almond flour, making it a solid gluten-free option.
2. CHEESY KETO MEATBALL CASSEROLE FROM EAT YOURSELF SKINNY
There are many ways to enjoy Italian meatballs. For instance, you can have it with spaghetti (yum!), or you can simply make a filling casserole. To try Kelly’s recipe, you can use any protein of your choice to make your meatballs. In addition, you’ll add things like tomato sauce, fresh herbs, and of, course, cheese to create a succulent meal.
3. CAULIFLOWER RISOTTO FROM THAT LOW-CARB LIFE
This classic Northern Italian dish has rice as its main ingredient, meaning it’s carb-loaded. But by swapping the rice for cauliflower, you can achieve a similar taste that you can enjoy without feeling guilty. Karly’s creamy cauliflower risotto takes less than 30 minutes to cook and contains just seven grams of carbs.
4. BAKED MINI FRITTATAS FROM KALYN’S KITCHEN
Vegetarian, Vegan or if you’re taking a break from meat and are looking for a tasty vegetable-based meal, why not try frittatas? The egg-based dish is similar to an omelet, making it an ideal breakfast choice. With Kalyn’s recipe, you too can bake mushroom and cheese mini-frittatas that you can reheat anytime.
5. KETO LASAGNA FROM PEACE, LOVE & LOW-CARB
This classic and satisfying meal is another popular Italian dish that’s adorned by many. One good thing about the food is that it can be modified to fit one’s preference, like Kyndra’s keto lasagna. It’s made from low-carb noodles, making it a great healthy option. If you would rather makie your own lasagna sheets, check out this great recipe.
6. CAULIFLOWER ANTIPASTO SALAD FROM HOME MADE INTEREST
What do you get when you mix Italian meats, cheese, and vegetables? A light and appetizing antipasto salad! This low-carb dish is perfect for a lunch meal, but you can also have it for dinner if you’re in the mood for something light. The recipe includes ten ingredients including pepperoncini and roasted red peppers, but you can add anything you’d like to fit your needs.
7. KETO HERB & OLIVE FOCACCIA FROM KETO DIET
It can be hard to remove bread from your diet. After all, it’s a staple food in large parts of the world and is very carb-loaded. But you can still enjoy it if you do it right. Martina’s keto olive & herb focaccia recipe is free from gluten, dairy, and nut and takes only 25 minutes to make. Enjoy it with a beverage of your choice.
8. PIZZA BITES FROM MAEBELLS
Have you been craving pizza lately? Luckily, there are ways to enjoy the food without consuming loads of carbs. With Annie’s Italian recipe, you can make a hearty dish topped with mozzarella and sausage. Use a flour of your choice to make the bites and pair them with a flavorful marinara sauce.
9. KETO CARBONARA FROM FAT FROM WEIGHT-LOSS
Traditional Italian carbonara consists of pasta, and although it’s delicious, it’s also considered a heavy meal. Therefore, it’s best to find a substitute, as Aaron has for his keto carbonara recipe. Swap the pasta for miracle noodles, and you too can enjoy a creamy meal that’s super easy to make.
10. LOW-CARB GNOCCHI FROM I BREATH, I’M HUNGRY
Like many Italian meals, gnocchi can be heavy when consumed in large portions. Known as a form of pasta, cooked mashed potatoes, eggs, and flour are just some of the ingredients used to create this dish. Melissa’s keto-friendly recipe, however, is made from blanched almond flour, making it a solid gluten-free option.
11. KETO TIRAMISU FROM ALL DAY I DREAM ABOUT FOOD
Though it’s a dessert, I could not complete a list of Italian recipes without Tiramisu. The coffee-flavored treat, which has been around for over 60 years, is a popular dessert in and outside of Italy. Enjoy a piece with a beverage of your choice with Carolyn’s easy keto tiramisu recipe. It takes less than 45 minutes to make, including refrigeration time! Enjoy!
If you are new to the keto diet and keto living and lifestyle we at Yummy Keto Cooking have a post on starting out on your keto journey, A Beginners Guide To The Keto Diet. We have over 70 of our own amazing keto recipes to browse and choose from in our keto recipes section,