36 Mouthwatering Keto Italian Recipes
So many folks think that Italian food must mean pasta, pasta, and more pasta! But they couldn’t be more wrong. Italian food includes an incredible range of dishes, many of which are naturally Keto-friendly! And on this list of Italian recipes, we wanted to highlight some of our favorites from Rome, Sicily, Naples, and beyond!
From fried, stuffed olives to almond flour biscotti, so many of these recipes are inspired by traditional Italian cooking. In fact, did you know many traditional Italian cookies are naturally low in carbohydrates, thanks to their heavy use of almond flour? Enjoy this Keto-friendly slice of the Mediterranean life with this list of over 30 delicious Italian recipes!
Here are just a few of the Keto Italian Recipes we’ve included:
- 5-Min Prosciutto Avocado Fat Bombs
- Raw Italian Cauliflower Salad
- Keto Spaghetti Squash Bolognese
- 3-Ingredient Creamy Keto Salmon “Pasta”
- Pan-Fried Tuscan Chicken Pasta with Tomatoes and Fresh Basil
- Sugar Free Chocolate Biscotti
If you click or tap any of the links above, it will instantly take you to the recipe below. Or download the entire list by clicking on the green button below.
Keto Italian Recipes – Appetizers
5-Min Prosciutto Avocado Fat Bombs
– Keto Summit
Ingredients: avocado, lime, prosciutto or deli ham or turkey slices.
In this recipe, you get the fat bomb experience but without any effort, as you are using only three ingredients. These make great Keto snacks when you need something to keep you going, but you can also use them as an appetizer or as party food. Don’t skip on the lime juice though, because it keeps the avocado from turning brown and gives these bombs a real zing!
Easy Keto Pepperoni Meatballs
– Keto Summit
Ingredients: ground beef or chicken, pepperoni slices, egg, hot sauce (optional), salt, pepper.
Try these for a fun twist on basic cocktail meatballs. The pepperoni adds smoke, spice, and a little salt – a welcome addition to any game day feast or neighborhood potluck.
Antipasto Salad With Easy Italian Dressing
– Cook Eat Paleo
Photo Credit: Lisa from Cook Eat Paleo
Ingredients: romaine, prosciutto, salami or pepperoni, artichoke hearts, black and green olives, hot or sweet peppers, Italian dressing.
This gluten and dairy-free salad make the perfect versatile meal when you don’t have time to cook, as you can use whatever meats and vegetables you have to create a filling salad. If you are using Italian meats, just check the labels to avoid any unwanted ingredients. The easy dressing adds a zesty flavor to the salad and you can make it look really tasteful and appealing.
Pepperoni Alla Bagna Cauda: Paleo Stuffed Peppers
– The Nourished Caveman
Photo Credit: Vivica from The Nourished Caveman
Ingredients: bell peppers, garlic, anchovies filets (Italian Anchovies), walnuts, butter.
These delicious Italian stuffed peppers give a rainbow of color and such a rich and garlicky flavor that you will never believe this is a Paleo meal! The anchovies do not give the dish a fishy flavor but add a deep savory tang to the peppers. The Bagna Cauda can be used as a dip for vegetable sticks as well as a stuffing for the peppers, and displaying them like this is a really impressive way to serve.
Oven Fried Stuffed Olives
– Beauty and The Foodie
Photo Credit: Stacey from Beauty and the Foodie
Ingredients: green olives (Sicilian olives), Italian sausage, almond slivers or almond flour, sunflower seeds, flat leaf parsley, garlic powder, thyme (dried or fresh), egg, olive oil or avocado oil.
Here is a lovely recipe for Keto and Paleo-friendly bite-size snacks that are filled with sausage and have a low-carb coating that gives a bit of crunch to the snack. This contrasts well with the smooth texture of the olives and meaty filling, and these tasty treats taste best when served warm. If you have any leftovers you can store them in the fridge but it is recommended that you reheat them before eating.
If you’re not familiar with avocado oil, this is the perfect time to try it. Certified Health Coach Lisa Story, CHC notes that, “[Avocado oil is] similar to olive oil when you compare their nutritional profiles side by side. However, it has a higher smoke point which means it’s excellent to cook or roast with at higher heat without compromising the integrity of the oil.”
Raw Italian Cauliflower Salad
– Paleo Flourish
Ingredients: cauliflower florets, olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, olives, garlic, salt, pepper.
In the summertime you can find fresh Paleo and Keto-friendly dishes more appealing than cooked ones, so this lovely cauliflower salad would make a wonderful light lunch. You have the combination of crunchy cauliflower and soft olive with the freshness of the lemon juice to lift the flavors. You can use cilantro for the garnish if you don’t have parsley.
Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil Recipe
– Simply Recipes
Ingredients: tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, basil leaves, coarse sea salt, black pepper.
Bruschetta is a traditional appetizer in Italy and can be light and fresh, yet super-tasty. It comprises a slice of toasted bread topped with fresh ingredients like tomatoes and herbs that can wake up your taste buds. If you can, try to use fresh basil as it adds such an aromatic boost to the flavor of this and many other Paleo dishes!
Grilled Caprese Zucchini Roll-ups
– Sweet Peas and Saffron
Ingredients: zucchinis, baby bocconcini, cherry tomatoes, basil leaves, olive oil, salt, pepper.
Caprese salad is usually a mix of basil, tomatoes, and mozzarella, so the only difference here is the cheese. You still have all the lovely fresh flavors of tomato, cheese, and basil but wrapped into individual bites in a zucchini strip which gives an extra texture to the snack. These would be a lovely low-carb appetizer for an Italian-inspired meal or simply served on cocktail sticks at a drinks party.
Keto Italian Recipes – Main Dishes
Keto Spaghetti Squash Bolognese
– Keto Summit
Ingredients: spaghetti squash, ground or minced beef, onion, diced tomato, fresh basil, garlic, coconut oil, salt, pepper.
Using spaghetti squash is a healthy Keto alternative to traditional pasta and can be eaten just the same way. This recipe is a perfect way to introduce squash into your children’s diet and they could even learn to love it as much as they love pasta. If you add in the basil at the end of the cooking time it helps to retain the full freshness of the flavor.
3-Ingredient Creamy Keto Salmon “Pasta”
– Keto Summit
Ingredients: coconut oil, smoked salmon, zucchinis, mayo.
Here is another great recipe that shows you how you can still enjoy the flavors of ‘pasta’ dishes but still keep yourself on the Keto pathway. This dairy-free dish has a rich and creamy sauce and feels just like a pasta dish made with dairy products and is a delicious way to enjoy the salmon. This is one meal where it might be worth buying a spiralizer as it makes the zucchini ‘noodles’ so much easier to form.
Pan-Fried Tuscan Chicken Pasta with Tomatoes and Fresh Basil
– Paleo Flourish
Ingredients: chicken breasts, egg, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, cherry tomatoes, basil leaves, olive oil or avocado oil, zucchini.
Here is another quick recipe that is full of fresh flavors! Because the chicken is cooked quickly it keeps all its flavor and doesn’t dry out. Also, basil and tomato is really a match made in heaven, so adding them to this low-carb pasta dish is a great idea. Basil is easy to grow in pots in the kitchen so you could have a source of freshness to add to soups and sauces any time.
Keto Shrimp Scampi
– Ketogasm
Photo Credit: Tasha from Ketogasm
Ingredients: summer squash, butter, chicken broth, lemon juice, red chili flakes, salt, pepper, shrimp, parsley.
On the Keto journey, you might think that you have to miss out on pasta dishes, but this is a great example of how you can still enjoy the flavor and textures of traditional pasta but still keep your meal low-carb and gluten-free. Using squash instead of noodles makes this dish totally Keto-friendly and yet still gives the look of Italian noodles and this makes the best base for the shrimp.
Delicious Lemon-Garlic Keto Pasta Using Yellow Squash
– Wicked Stuffed
Photo Credit: Amanda from Wicked Stuffed
Ingredients: yellow (summer) squash, lemon pepper seasoning, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, fresh parsley, almonds, salt, lemon.
Lemon and garlic are probably the most common flavors you expect from Italian cuisine and they give loads of flavor and zesty freshness to pasta dishes. This dish uses squash as an alternative to traditional pasta to let us keep the dish looking authentic but keeping it low in carbohydrates. This whole dish is so tasty and quick to cook that it would be a great speedy lunch or midweek dinner.
Osso Bucco, aka Braised Beef Shanks
– The Healthy Foodie
Photo Credit: Sonia from The Healthy Foodie
Ingredients: beef shanks, onion, garlic, celery ribs, bone broth, tomatoes, water, balsamic vinegar, dried mustard, fresh thyme, fresh sage leaves, Himalayan salt, black pepper, Ceylon cinnamon, ground clove.
Just like lamb shanks, beef shanks were made to be slow-cooked so the meat is so rich in flavor and falls off the bones. This dish is slightly rustic-looking like a lot of home-cooked meat dishes are, but this just adds to the appeal of them, so don’t be afraid to serve the shanks to family and friends! Serve this hearty meal with cauliflower mash for a low-carb dinner that is full of flavor!
Easy Keto Shrimp Scampi
– I Breathe I’m Hungry
Photo Credit: Mellissa from I Breathe I’m Hungry
Ingredients: butter, olive oil, garlic, dry white wine, kosher salt, ground black pepper, shrimp, fresh parsley, lemon juice, lemon zest, spaghetti squash.
Here is an amazing shrimp recipe that is gluten-free, Keto and Paleo and could become your new go-to when you are entertaining! The delicate strands of squash make the perfect bed for the shrimp and the little kick of heat from the pepper flakes livens up the flavors really well. If you have an allergy to alcohol or are cooking this for children and don’t want to use wine you can simply use some chicken broth instead.
Grain Free Italian Wedding Soup with Meatballs
– Grass Fed Girl
Ingredients: butter, ghee or coconut oil, onion, celery sticks, garlic, sea salt, pepper, bone broth, carrots, baby spinach, egg, parsley, ground meat, garlic powder.
I was a bit confused when I heard about wedding soup, but the name comes from the ‘marriage’ of flavors of the meat and green vegetables! This soup is traditionally served with meatballs or sausage in chicken broth, but this Keto and Paleo recipe let you adapt tradition to suit your eating plan but without missing out on the flavor.
Paleo Stuffed Chicken Breast
– Paleo Flourish
Ingredients: olive oil, basil leaves, pine nuts (or walnuts), garlic, lemon zest and juice, salt, pepper, chicken breasts, cayenne pepper, avocado oil, sun-dried tomatoes.
The sun-dried tomatoes in this dish pair wonderfully with the deep, rich flavor of basil. You can’t go wrong pairing it with a simple, crunchy side salad or grilled veggies.
Keto Italian Recipes – Desserts
Sugar-Free Chocolate Biscotti
– Paleo Flourish
Ingredients: almonds, chia seeds, unsweetened shredded coconut, egg, coconut oil, cacao powder, stevia, salt, baking soda.
If you need sugar-free snacks because of health reasons such as diabetes, these wonderful sugar-free biscotti would be perfect! They can be eaten straight away but they will be quite soft, or you can turn the oven off and leave them in to dry out a bit to crisp them up. These are lovely with coffee or served with a mousse-like dessert or low-carb ice cream.
Keto Tiramisu Original Italian
– The Nourished Caveman
Photo Credit: Vivica from The Nourished Caveman
Ingredients: eggs, Xylitol or Swerve, coconut flour, whey protein, lemon zest, coconut cream, strong brewed coffee, unsweetened cocoa powder.
If you have tried traditional tiramisu and thought that it would be a definite no-no on the Keto way of eating, then this recipe will show how you can still enjoy all the flavors and creamy texture of the dessert yet still keep the carbs down. This is a sophisticated-looking dessert and would be ideal to serve at a dinner party or celebration meal and you can relax knowing that it is Keto-friendly!
Low Carb Lemon & Ricotta Cake (Contains Dairy)
– The Primitive Palate
Ingredients: unsalted butter, Swerve Sweetener, vanilla bean, lemon zest, eggs, almond meal, ricotta.
If you are a cake fan like so many of us then I am sure you will love this recipe for Keto low-carb lemon cake! The flavor of the citrus shines through and the soft sponge is complemented with the crunchy flaked almonds. If you want to make this sponge even more lemony you could drizzle some extra lemon juice over the sponge as it cools.
Low Carb Almond Flour Biscotti
– Wholesome Yum
Ingredients: almond flour, erythritol, baking powder, egg, coconut oil, almond extract.
Sometimes when you are enjoying a nice cup of coffee you just need something with a bit of crunch to offset the warm liquid. So this is where biscotti comes in! They give you the crunch but without the carbs and these ones are sugar-free and Paleo too. This recipe gives you sixteen biscotti and they can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week so you can enjoy these every day
Italian Sugar-Free Walnut Cookies
– Sugar Free Londoner
Ingredients: coarsely ground walnuts, egg, granulated sweetener or sweetener of choice, cinnamon.
Here is the perfect little snack to make for unexpected guests as they are ready in just fifteen minutes and give you a crispy, nutty crunch to enjoy your afternoon coffee! These bite-size, sugar-free treats are flavored with cinnamon so would even be good to serve with a winter-warmer like hot chocolate. These make an amazing gift for friends and you can make them really special by dipping them in chocolate frosting.
Low Carb Chocolate Almond Biscotti
– Sugar-Free Mom
Ingredients: vanilla liquid, almond extract, Swerve or granulated sweetener, almond flour, cocoa powder, protein powder, baking powder, guar gum or xanthan, salt, butter, eggs, sliced or slivered almonds, sugar-free dark chocolate.
This low-carb recipe is so close to the traditional way of making biscotti that you end up with ones that taste so authentic you will never know the difference! These are made with almonds and drizzled with dark chocolate, giving a crunchy biscuit to serve with coffee as a sophisticated treat for family and friends. These should not be too sweet but you can adjust the sweetener to suit your taste.
Walnut Snowball Cookies
– Keto Connect
Ingredients: walnuts, coconut flour, butter, egg, confectioner swerve, vanilla extract, liquid Stevia.
Many people like to serve these snowball cookies at Christmas, but there is nothing to say they are restricted to the holidays! These Ketogenic and low-carb delights are so easy to make and they would make a lovely gift for someone at a coffee morning. To make the snowballs, even more, your own you can roll them in some shredded coconut instead of the extra sweetener.
Keto Italian Recipes Containing Dairy
Low Carb Stuffed Peppers Topped with Cheese (Contains Dairy)
– Low Carb Yum
Photo Credit: Lisa from Low Carb Yum
Ingredients: green peppers, olive oil, garlic, ground beef, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, sea salt, onion powder, marinara sauce, Colby Jack cheese, mozzarella cheese.
This is another versatile low-carb recipe that can be quite easy on the wallet too! If you want to make the filling go a bit further you can add some cauliflower rice to eke out the meat and you probably won’t even notice the difference. This tasty stuffing can be used for zucchini, squashes or even beef tomatoes if you are not a pepper fan. This recipe also works well with ground pork instead of beef.
Pepperoni Pizza Stuffed Peppers (Contains Dairy)
– Peace, Love and Low Carb
Photo Credit: Kyndra from Peace Love and Low Carb
Ingredients: orange, yellow, red, green bell pepper, mozzarella cheese, pizza sauce, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning.
If you have someone in the family with gluten intolerance, these stuffed peppers could be the answer to let them enjoy the pizza flavors but without the gluten in traditional pizza. These are packed with cheese and pepperoni goodness and would be perfect for lunch or dinner with a fresh green salad. If you can find small peppers, these also make great treats for kids without them realizing they’re eating healthy!
Italian Cheesy Prosciutto Stuffed Chicken (Contains Dairy)
– Beauty and The Foodie
Photo Credit: Stacey from Beauty and the Foodie
Ingredients: chicken breasts, prosciutto, mozzarella string cheese sticks, fresh spinach, mayonnaise, garlic powder, sea salt, Italian seasonings, black pepper, parmesan.
When you are entertaining, dishes like this one can be so impressive that the guests will not realize this is low-carb, grain-free and Keto-friendly! The chicken is cut open to expose a wonderful swirl of stuffing with all the flavors of cheese and ham and the freshness of the spinach to cut through the rich taste. Then the whole thing is covered with a creamy coating which helps to seal in the juicy chicken.
Prosciutto and Sausage Keto Rolls (Contains Dairy)
– The Nourished Caveman
Photo Credit: Vivica from The Nourished Caveman
Ingredients: pork sausages, prosciutto, fresh thyme, cheddar cheese.
This recipe for Keto sausage rolls is so easy I wish I’d thought about it before! After all, what’s not to like about sausage wrapped in bacon? Whether or not you use the cheese is up to you as the flavor from the meats is tasty enough without it, but I have tried this without cheese and with a sprinkle of Italian seasoning on the prosciutto and it is delicious!
Chicken Saltimbocca (Contains Dairy)
– Keto Connect
Ingredients: chicken breasts, prosciutto, Asiago cheese, frozen spinach, coconut oil, olive oil, salt, pepper.
Here is another lovely Keto recipe for the stuffed chicken breast that can be made as a main or cut into smaller pieces as an appetizer. You already have the flavors of the cheese and ham inside the tender chicken breast, then you can add some extra healthy fat by drizzling them with some good olive oil before serving. This tastes amazing served with a fresh tomato salad with garlic and olives.
Keto Chicken & Prosciutto Spiedini (Contains Dairy)
– I Breathe I’m Hungry
Photo Credit: Mellissa from I Breathe I’m Hungry
Ingredients: kosher salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, chicken tenders, prosciutto, provolone (or other) cheese, fresh basil leaves.
Spiedini are little parcels of chicken and cheese wrapped in bacon and they are usually breaded, but in this Keto recipe, the breading is omitted to keep down the carbohydrates. These can be used as an appetizer or as a tasty lunch with a green salad, but they also make great finger foods for parties. These low-carb parcels can be grilled or cooked in the oven if the weather is not good enough for cooking outdoors.
Zucchini Keto Lasagna (Contains Dairy)
– Keto Connect
Ingredients: ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, egg, garlic, lean ground beef, tomato sauce, salt, pepper, coconut oil or ghee, zucchini.
I have tried a lot of alternative veggies to use in lasagna, and most of them work, but this recipe gives you even the texture you would expect from wheat-based pasta without the gluten or the extra carbs! As with a lot of these recipes, you can tweak the ingredients to suit your taste, so don’t think you have to stick to the ones listed, especially when it comes to the cheese as this can be expensive.
Keto Cheesy Fried Ravioli (Contains Dairy)
– A Girl Worth Saving
Photo Credit: Kelly from A Girl Worth Saving
Ingredients: coconut oil, mascarpone cheese or cream cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, sea salt, ground black pepper, prosciutto.
This was one of the very first Keto recipes I tried when I was new to the plan and it has remained a family favorite ever since! After all, who doesn’t like cheese filling wrapped in crispy bacon? These little bites are so deliciously tasty that they turn up at every party and even at family film nights! These can be made up the day before you need them and cooked as you need them.
Keto Lasagna with Zucchini Noodles (Contains Dairy)
– Ketogasm
Photo Credit: Tasha from Ketogasm
Ingredients: ground beef, Rao’s marinara sauce, zucchini, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese.
It can sometimes be difficult to find pasta replacements that are Keto-friendly and that the whole family will accept and enjoy, but zucchini can work so well. It has the same sort of texture as lasagna sheets when it’s cooked and even my kids will eat this dish! Just remember to salt the zucchini to draw out the water, otherwise, the lasagna will be a bit watery.
Panna Cotta (Contains Dairy)
– Keto Vale
Ingredients: heavy cream, water, sour cream, vanilla, Truvia, gelatin.
Panna cotta is a rich and creamy dessert, yet it is quite light in texture and super-smooth. This Keto recipe is so like traditional panna cotta that you will want to make it over and over. Once you have made this once you will realize that it is quite easy to make and can be served in different ways – top it with fruit puree, fresh berries or even with a low-carb chocolate sauce for extra richness.
Lemon Ricotta Cake (Contains Dairy)
– Low Carb Maven
Ingredients: butter, Swerve Granulated or Lakanto Classic, eggs, whole milk ricotta cheese, lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla extract, almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder, salt.
Although this low-carb and gluten-free recipe uses baking powder to give a lighter texture to the sponge, there is an alternative for those of us who can’t use it. Perfect for a Keto diet, this cake is zesty and has a hint of sweetness, making it great to serve for afternoon tea or even for breakfast! You can even increase the almond flour if you can’t use coconut, although this may affect the texture.
Italian Lemon Sponge Cake (Contains Dairy)
– Ruled Me
Ingredients: almond flour, baking powder, salt, eggs, vanilla extract, almond extract, erythritol, liquid Stevia, lemon zest, olive oil, cream of tartar, butter, heavy cream, fresh raspberries.
This is another adaptable recipe for lemon cake that makes it suit any occasion! Make large ones to share for dessert or split the mixture into cupcake cases for individual treats for teatime or celebrations. No matter how you make them, I recommend the raspberry topping as it is one of the best I have found! You never have to miss out on the cake again with this low-carb Keto dessert!
