It is no argument that Italian dishes are loved all around the world. And if you are craving some Italian cuisine, then you should know that Italians are more than just their cacio e pepe, pasta and pizzas. So, if you are looking for some unique and authentic Italian meals for your dinner or get-together, then I have here 31 classic Italian food recipes you can easily do!
Contents
31. Lasagna – Best Italian Recipe!
In search of ultimate Italian comfort food? Consider an uncomplicated yet tantalizing lasagna. This recipe morphs traditional lasagna into a manageable dish, even for those bustling evenings.
Skip the pre-cooking of lasagna sheets or creating homemade tomato sauce from scratch. This lasagna focuses on ease without compromising deliciousness.
You’ll layer meat sauce, uncooked lasagna sheets, ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan. Repeat, bake and serve with classic Italian sides!
30. Florentine Steak
Also known as “Bistecca alla Fiorentina,” Florentine steak is a thick cut of meat, simply seasoned and perfect for sharing.
A robust porterhouse steak is the preferred choice for this recipe. Dress it with just olive oil, salt, and pepper, hence quality meat is essential.
Complement with side dishes such as roasted potatoes or a fresh Italian salad.
29. Pasta Alla Norma – Traditional Italian Dinner Recipe
Hailing from Sicily, Pasta alla norma is a delightful blend of eggplant, tasty marinara, and fresh basil.
Traditionally, the eggplant is fried, but this version opts for roasted eggplant.
This not only adds a lightness to the dish but also makes preparation more straightforward. A win-win scenario!
This uncomplicated dish doesn’t require a plethora of ingredients, making it a speedy dinner choice.
28. Classic Italian Salad
A classic Italian salad makes the perfect side to your preferred pasta dish, or create it as a standalone for a light and quick lunch.
The secret to this salad is the homemade dressing, which is super easy to make!
Blend parsley, basil, oregano, garlic, red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt, pepper, and honey in a processor. And you’re done!
For the salad, consider options like romaine lettuce, carrot, tomato, olives, bell pepper, and feta cheese.
27. Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce
Never feel the need to dine at Olive Garden again once you’ve mastered this copycat Olive Garden Alfredo sauce.
The sauce is straightforward and a breeze to prepare.
You’ll need heavy cream, butter, garlic, and parmesan cheese only. Less truly is more with a classic Alfredo sauce.
26. Stuffed Shells – Traditional Italian Recipe Idea
Italian stuffed shells are a fun and tasty dish that even the fussiest eaters will enjoy.
Shaped like shells, the pasta will attract kids while the rich, creamy cheese will appeal to the adults.
After stuffing the cooked shells with a ricotta and parmesan cheese blend, top them with a flavorful meat sauce.
Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over them before baking for a dinner everyone will relish.
25. Cheesy Florentine Pasta Recipe
Served hot for dinner or cold for a picnic lunch, this cheesy florentine pasta suits any occasion.
The creamy parmesan sauce, packed with mozzarella and parmesan cheese, takes center stage. Spinach and bell peppers add freshness and a dash of color.
This entire dish is ready in less than 30 minutes, making it ideal for those hectic evenings.
24. Bellini – Recipe FRom Italy
Elevate your next brunch with this simple and refreshing Bellini recipe.
It’s extremely simple with only two ingredients: peaches and prosecco. This creates the ideal Bellini that’s fresh and fizzy.
Prepare a smooth puree from peeled and pitted peaches.
Chill the puree in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before adding it to a champagne flute, topping it with chilled prosecco, and enjoying!
23. Italian Tomato Sauce
A rich and flavorful Italian tomato sauce forms the foundation of Italian cuisine. This is a recipe you’ll want to hand down to future generations.
The secret of a fantastic Italian tomato sauce is simplicity. It doesn’t require a long list of ingredients, but slow cooking allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
The oregano, basil, and mint provide a light and fresh feel, while the garlic, onion, and olive oil balance out the acidity in the tomatoes.
22. Pasta e Fagioli al Forno
Convene your loved ones at the mealtime with Fagioli al Forno Pasta. It signifies “oven-baked pasta and beans” and is crammed full with gooey cheese and tangy tomato sauce.
This savory Italian concoction is bursting with tasteful ingredients like tomatoes, basil, red pepper flakes, oregano, and Italian sausage.
What’s more? It comes with two types of cheese!
Onion, carrot, celery, and garlic are sautéed and the remaining ingredients are included. It’s then oven-baked with an additional layer of cheese and savored by all.
21. Strawberry Nutella Pizza
Strawberry Nutella dessert flatbread merges the concept of pizza and sweet treat, eliminating the need to pick one!
The lavish and nut-like taste of Nutella pairs seamlessly with the succulent and juicy strawberries. To add a crunch, throw in some almond slices.
For a dessert flatbread, make sure your crust is cooked thoroughly and slightly cooled before adding your toppings.
Feel free to experiment with toppings if Nutella and strawberries don’t appeal to you. Peanut butter, chocolate chips, or bananas are just some alternatives.
20. Italian Sausage Arugula Pizza
Crunchy and tantalizing, this pizza with sausage and arugula is set to become a family favorite.
Putting arugula on a pizza may seem strange, but give it a chance.
The fresh and nutty taste of arugula offsets the greasiness of pork sausage, creating an ideal pairing.
With the addition of tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese, you’ll forego the traditional pepperoni pizza.
Either homemade or store-bought dough works perfectly for this savory slice.
19. Neapolitan Pizza
Naples, Italy is recognized as the birthplace of Pizza Napoletana, and that’s where the authentic dish is found. Since spontaneous travel might not be possible, this recipe offers a similar experience!
The homemade dough is key in achieving that traditional crust. But don’t worry, it’s straightforward.
Pizza Napoletana is all about minimalism. The sauce is merely canned tomatoes, and it’s topped with fresh mozzarella and basil. Pizza nights just got an upgrade!
18. Tuscan Seafood Stew for Weeknight Dinner
Also known as cacciucco, Tuscan seafood soup usually contains five different kinds of seafood, each representing a ‘c’ in the name.
The seafood selection is entirely up to you!
This dish is well spiced with ingredients like garlic, parsley, sage, and red wine vinegar.
Red pepper flakes provide the ideal amount of spiciness to this sumptuous soup.
This soup is served over homemade croutons to absorb the flavorful broth.
17. Tuscan Chicken
This one-pot Tuscan chicken is perfect for those hectic evenings. It’s creamy, delicious, and ready in less than 30 minutes.
Although the ingredients are quite basic, the flavor is anything but!
The sauce comprises Alfredo sauce, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and cheese.
After browning your chicken, coat it with the rich sauce and let it continue cooking, allowing the chicken to absorb all those bold flavors.
It’s great as a standalone dish, but can also be paired with pasta.
16. Rosemary Mushroom Risotto
Risotto is often considered a challenging dish to prepare. Accept the challenge with this enticing rosemary mushroom risotto and discover how simple it can be.
The trick to making risotto is to add only warm broth so the rice cooks uniformly. Trust me, you won’t want to hasten this meal!
This risotto is seasoned with mustard, lending a delightful tanginess.
The star of the show has to be the savory and aromatic rosemary. Get ready to wow your guests!
15. Caprese Chicken
Melted cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and a hint of sweet balsamic reduction give this Chicken Caprese so much flavor.
While this dish looks sophisticated, you’d be surprised at how easy it is to put together.
Sauté the chicken separately until it’s nicely browned and still juicy.
Pile it up with the flavorful sun-dried tomatoes and cheese slices. Bake for about 10 minutes.
And don’t forget to finish off the dish with a generous drizzle of your balsamic reduction.
14. Calzone
Although it might be a divisive stance, I always prefer a crispy calzone filled with oozing cheese over a pizza slice.
After trying this recipe, I believe you’ll agree!
These compact meals are great for on-the-go and far superior to any fast-food joint. Make a large batch and freeze to enjoy anytime.
Using store-bought pizza dough considerably cuts down on prep time, but you can make your own if you prefer.
Fill it with your favored pizza toppings like sauce, pepperoni, mozzarella, and veggies.
13. Italian Hot Chocolate
Traditional Italian recipes encompass much more than just pasta and pizza.
This dense and creamy Italian hot chocolate will have you reminiscing about Italy.
If you’re accustomed to drinking hot chocolate from a packet, forget that thought.
This hot chocolate recipe is decadent and nothing like that powder mix.
Real dark chocolate lends this drink its rich taste while whole milk and sugar transform it into a thick and slightly sweet delicacy.
12. Italian Meatballs
Everyone should have a reliable recipe for Italian meatballs. These meatballs are juicy and packed with flavor. They’re the ideal complement to many meals!
The trick to achieving that rich and complex flavor is using three different kinds of meat. Yes, three — ground beef, ground pork, and Italian sausage.
I have another tip for you, it’s called a panada.
A panada is a thick paste made by soaking bread crumbs in milk. This is the key to prevent your meatballs from drying out.
11. Tortellini Alla Panna
Tortellini alla Panna is a tasty pasta dish with a luscious, creamy Parmesan sauce that will have your guests asking for seconds!
Check it here.
10. Instant Pot Chicken Gnocchi Soup (Olive Garden Copycat)
All the delicious flavors of the Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup are recreated in this creamy easy Instant Pot Chicken Gnocchi Soup. It is a cozy and hearty soup, made from simple ingredients that the whole family will love.
Check it here.
9. Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta
We love this Olive Garden Chicken Italian Pasta recipe for an easy slow cooker main dish. I’ve used this Olive Garden Dressing for years but just recently started adding it to recipes!
Check it here.
8. Garden Fresh Bruschetta Recipe
If you’re like me then you are getting an abundance of cherry tomatoes and trying to think of ways to use them. That’s when I decided to make this favorite easy Italian classic antipasto starter to enjoy for lunch.
Check it here.
7. Shrimp Fra Diavolo
Shrimp Fra Diavolo – because spicy is Delicious! Spice up your life, embrace this bowl of succulent plump shrimp, tomatoes and a kick of heat… some pasta doused in that sauce or nice crusty bread.
Check it here.
6. Italian Baked Ham Provolone Rosettes – Lasagna Roll Ups
I love making easy recipes for food that looks as good as it tastes. Take Italian baked ham provolone rosettes for example. These little lasagna roll ups or pasta pinwheels are simple enough for anyone to put together with ease, and they’re so cute! You will absolutely love these baked pasta roses with ham, provolone and parmesan. See also tasty sides for lasagna.
Check it here.
5. Crostoli
Crostoli are a crispy fried Italian pastries which are popular during Carnevale and many other holidays.
Check it here.
4. Italian Crespelle – Chicken Alfredo Crepes
Italian crespelle – what is that? If you’ve been wondering about these Italian crepes with alfredo sauce, you’ve come to the right place! Chicken alfredo crepes are a great leftover chicken recipe that you will love. These savoury chicken crepes are easy to make, unique and packed with flavour.
Check it here.
3. Caponata – Sicilian Eggplant Relish
Meet Caponata – Sicily’s sweet & tangy cousin to France’s ratatouille. They are kinda similar, though the Sicilian one has loads of more flavor punch.
Check it here.
2. Lemon Basil Granita
This easy lemon basil granita is a frozen dessert made with a quick basil honey simple syrup and lemon juice. No ice cream maker needed!
Check it here.
1. Vegan Amaretti Cookies
These delicious, chewy Vegan Amaretti Cookies are both gluten-free and oil-free! Enjoy your vegan cookies with a cup of coffee for a simple sweet treat.
Check it here.
30+ Best Authentic Italian Recipes
Discover 31 mouthwatering traditional Italian recipes straight from Italy's kitchen, each bursting with authentic flavors!
Ingredients
- Torta Della Nonna
- Italian Beef Braciole Stuffed Beef Roll
- Tortellini Alla Panna
- Instant Pot Chicken Gnocchi Soup (Olive Garden Copycat)
Instructions
- Choose any Classic Italian Recipes | Authentic Recipes From Italy from the post that you like
- Click on the link below the photo to get the full recipes and instructions.
- Try the best Classic Italian Recipes | Authentic Recipes From Italy and share your photo under my pin on Pinterest!
I’m Anastasia and I’m a full-time blogger, online entrepreneur, and Pinterest marketing strategist. I help digital entrepreneurs and bloggers drive targeted traffic from Pinterest either through my online courses or through Pinterest consultancy.