Do you crave the carbonara at Johnny Carino’s? Do you have a stockpile of Olive Garden mints in your glovebox? Do you find yourself spending a fortune on Fazoli’s focaccia?
It’s hard to deny a steaming plate of fresh spaghetti, but eating out at your favorite Italian restaurant can be tough on your wallet and waistline. If you’re hooked on pasta, there are options beyond Macaroni Grill to satisfy your appetite.
At H-E-B we want you to enjoy delicious, healthy food at a reasonable price, which is why we’ve collected some recipes that you can use to cook up classic Italian dishes for a fraction of the price – and calories – of their dine-out counterparts.
Olive Garden’s® Chicken Parmesan vs. H-E-B Chicken Parmesan with H-E-B Organics Whole Wheat Spaghetti
Although chicken parmesan is not a true Italian dish – it’s actually an Italian-American spinoff of the traditional melanzane (eggplant) parmigiana – that doesn’t make the breaded chicken any less crispy or the tomato sauce less savory. Check out the below recipe for a fun, easy dish.
Olive Garden® H-E-B
Calories: 1,060 Calories: 600
Fat: 52 g Fat: 7 g
Sodium: 2,980 mg Sodium: 920 mg
Carbohydrates: 86 g Carbohydrates: 67 g
Macaroni Grill’s® Fettuccine Alfredo vs. H-E-B Spinach Fettuccine Alfredo
Legend has it that fettucine alfredo originated in Rome at the turn of the 20th century, when restaurant owner Alfredo di Lelio was brainstorming meals his pregnant wife, who was suffering from nausea, could stomach. The result – a simple mix of butter, parmesan, and pasta – was a success. Now millions across the globe enjoy its descendent dish, which is often spruced up with cream and milk. Follow the link for H-E-B’s recommended recipe.
Macaroni Grill® H-E-B
Calories: 1040 Calories: 380
Fat: 59 g Fat: 8 g
Sodium: 1630 mg Sodium: 95 mg
Carbohydrates: 86 g Carbohydrates: 62 g
Johnny Carino’s® Cheese Tortellini, Dinner vs. H-E-B Tomato Basil Tortellini
Tortellini, a strangely shaped pasta – said to have been inspired by the navel of the Roman goddess Venus – often filled with meats and cheeses, is a staple of the Emilia region of northern Italy. To bring this taste of Italy to your home, check out the recipe below.
Johnny Carino’s® H-E-B
Calories: 1005 Calories: 350
Fat: 50 g Fat: 13 g
Sodium: 2796 mg Sodium: 520 mg
Carbohydratess: 81 g Carbs: 47 g
Fazoli’s® Caesar Salad vs. H-E-B Grilled Romaine Caesar Salad
Although it’s a staple of any Italian restaurant in the U.S., the Caesar salad may have in fact been first tossed in Tijuana, Mexico. Caeser Cardini purportedly improvised the eponymously named salad when he was low on ingredients, much to the delight of his customers. Like the chicken parmesan, its lacking of status as an authentic Italian dish has no bearing on the Caesar salad’s great taste.
Fazoli’s H-E-B
Calories: 540 Calories: 220
Fat: 31 g Fat: 18 g
Sodium: 1390 mg Sodium: 950 mg
Carbohydrates: 31 g Carbs: 15 g
*Average saving per single meal. Final savings may vary based on location and promotions.
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