How do you take your standard weeknight dinner and turn it into a full-blown Italian feast? Answer: You add the extras.
We are looking at the unsung heroes of Italian cuisine today. The crispy sides. The icy drinks. The desserts that make you want to cry happy tears.
Is it possible to love a side dish as much as the main course?
In a word, YES. In many words, you need to make these recipes immediately and you will understand exactly what I mean.
Gnudi are these incredibly soft dumplings made with ricotta cheese and spinach. They are basically the cheesy spinach filling of ravioli but without the pasta wrapper on the outside.
Served up in a tomato sauce, they are simple, pillowy, and delicious.
2. Muffuletta (Sicilian Sandwich)
Meet the sandwich of your dreams.
This is a muffuletta, and it is piled high- and I mean high, with layers of soppressata, mortadella, capicola, and provolone.
But the real star here is that fresh olive salad made with olives, capers, peppers, and giardiniera that brings the whole thing together.
It is a meaty, cheesy, savory masterpiece.
3. Chicken Parmesan
Let’s make Chicken Parmesan!
We are pounding that chicken thin, setting up a breading station with flour and cream, and frying it until it is golden and crispity. Then comes the layering: marinara, chicken, more marinara, and a blanket of mozzarella cheese.
It is the ultimate family favorite.
4. Focaccia Bread
If you are up for a little baking adventure, this Focaccia Bread is calling your name.
It features that signature dimpled surface we all love, with a texture that is perfectly soft and chewy. You can embed all your favorite toppings right into the dough—think herbs, spices, and tomatoes.
It is totally worth the effort.
5. Caponata (Saucy Aubergine Salad)
This traditional Caponata is bringing all the savory, sweet, and sour vibes to the table.
We start by browning the onion and celery to build that flavor depth, then stir in olives and capers. A splash of vinegar gives it that signature tangy sour taste.
Let it sit so those flavors can marry, then serve it up with some crusty bread.
6. Margherita Pizza
Picture this: a thin, crispy crust topped with bright red tomato sauce, creamy white mozzarella, and fragrant basil leaves.
Hello, Margherita Pizza!
It is a simple flavor symphony where the tangy tomato and savory cheese just sing together. Undeniably delicious.
7. Osso Buco (Braised Veal Shanks)
If you haven’t tried Osso Buco, you need to get on this immediately.
We are talking about fall-off-the-bone veal shanks slow-cooked in a rich white wine and tomato broth. Finish it with a zippy gremolata of parsley, garlic, and lemon zest to cut through that richness.
Serve it with risotto and prepare to be obsessed.
8. Italian Salad
Sometimes you just need a fresh, crisp Italian Salad to balance out all the pasta.
This one is loaded with romaine, carrots, tomatoes, olives, bell peppers, and feta cheese. And the homemade dressing? It’s a quick mix of parsley, basil, garlic, vinegar, and honey that comes together in the processor.
9. Pizza Bianca (White Pizza)
Say hello to Pizza Bianca, where we skip the tomato sauce and go straight for the good stuff.
It is a white pizza featuring olive oil, garlic, and a mix of white cheeses. It is pure Italian simplicity with a little touch of sophistication.
Customize it how you like and enjoy the cheesy goodness.
10. Pesto Mozzarella Arancini (Risotto Balls)
These Pesto Mozzarella Arancini are crispy on the outside and wonderfully gooey on the inside.
They are essentially risotto balls, but with a surprise center of molten mozzarella and a swirl of pesto. It is street food that feels just a little bit gourmet.
11. Chicken Cacciatore
This Chicken Cacciatore is rustic, hearty, and packed with flavor.
Tender chicken simmers away in a rich tomato sauce with bell peppers, onions, and herbs. Serve it over rice or pasta for a dinner that tastes like a slow-cooked Sunday meal but is totally doable on a Wednesday.
12. Neapolitan Pizza
Pizza night just got a major upgrade with this authentic Neapolitan Pizza recipe.
It is all about keeping it simple with a sauce of canned tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil. Using homemade dough is the key to getting that perfect crust.
Don’t be intimidated—you got this!
13. Parmigiana di Melanazane (Eggplant Parmesan)
This Parmigiana di Melanzane is giving the eggplant the spotlight it deserves.
We are stacking layers of earthy eggplant with gooey mozzarella and sharp Parmesan cheese. Baked until golden, it is hearty and satisfying without feeling too heavy.
That aroma of melting cheese is just everything.
14. No-Knead Ciabatta Bread
If you are looking for that perfect sandwich bread, meet this No-Knead Ciabatta.
It has a crispy exterior and a soft, chewy interior that is just delightful. The dough has a high water-to-flour ratio, giving it that signature porous texture similar to a baguette.
15. Spaghetti Bolognese
This timeless Spaghetti Bolognese always hits the spot.
It is rich, meaty, and tomato-ey—exactly what you want when you need a trusty dish to impress. Everyone needs a good bolognese recipe in their back pocket, and this one will not let you down.
16. Tomato Bruschetta with Balsamic Glaze
It is the simple things, right?
This Tomato Bruschetta features toasted Italian bread brushed with olive oil and topped with a fresh mix of tomatoes, onion, garlic, and basil. The sweet and tangy balsamic glaze drizzled over the top makes it extra special.
It delivers epic tastes and textures with inexpensive ingredients.
17. Bistecca alla Fiorentina (Florentine Steak)
This Bistecca alla Fiorentina is designed to be shared.
We are using a thick porterhouse steak and keeping the seasoning simple with just olive oil, salt, and pepper. Serve this beauty with some roasted potatoes or a fresh salad.
It is meat-lover perfection.
18. Italian Pesto Chicken
This Italian Pesto Chicken uses rich, earthy ingredients to elevate the humble chicken breast.
You can make a simple homemade pesto with basil, almonds, olive oil, lemon, and parmesan. Fresh is always best, but store-bought works too if that is where you are at today!
19. Calzone
These crispy Calzones are stuffed with cheese and beat a regular pizza slice any day.
Use store-bought dough and fill it with your favorites—sauce, pepperoni, mozzarella, and veggies. They are perfect savory pockets for on-the-go meals or freezing for later.
20. Caprese Chicken
Gooey cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and a balsamic reduction? Yes, please.
This Caprese Chicken looks fancy but is surprisingly easy to throw together. Saute the chicken until golden, pile it high with toppings, bake for 10 minutes, and finish with that healthy drizzle of balsamic.
21. Rosemary Mushroom Risotto
Think Risotto is hard? Think again!
This Rosemary Mushroom Risotto is scrumptious and simple if you just add the warm broth slowly. Mustard adds a little tang and the rosemary brings the flavor.
It is sure to impress with its amazing aroma.
22. Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina
Bring the taste of Italy home with this Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina.
It is simple: pillowy potato dumplings meet a zesty sauce and a heap of cheese. Garnish with fresh basil and you have an Italian hit on your hands.
23. Classic Italian Caprese Salad
If you have fresh tomatoes and basil on hand, you need to make this Classic Italian Caprese Salad.
It is a combination of sweet juicy tomatoes, peppery basil, and mildly rich mozzarella. Drizzled with olive oil, it is delicious in its simplicity.
This strawberry Nutella pizza is here to solve the dilemma between dessert and pizza night! The nutty, chocolatey hazelnut spread is a total dream match for those juicy red strawberries, and the sliced almonds bring a lovely little crunch to the party.
To get that perfect dessert pizza texture, you just bake the crust all the way through and let it cool down a bit before loading up the toppings. You can totally mix and match with other favorites like peanut butter, chocolate chips, or bananas, too.
Pasta alla norma is a Sicilian classic that is packed with eggplant, zesty marinara, and plenty of fresh basil. We are skipping the frying here and roasting the eggplant in the oven, which makes the whole dish lighter and totally hassle-free.
It’s a simple ingredient list, which means you can get this beautiful dinner on the table in a flash.
Is there any better way to end a dinner party than with great conversation and a steaming, foamy cappuccino? Making a rich, cafe-style cappuccino isn’t complicated—you really just need coffee, water, and milk, though a cappuccino maker certainly helps with the heavy lifting!
The secret is getting that milk nice and foamy, making it the perfect beverage to kick off your morning or wrap up the night.
When the weather outside is frightful and you need something cozy to warm your bones, tortellini soup is there for you.
Between the creamy broth, the savory meatiness of the sausage, and those chewy little tortellini bites, this comfort food will have you literally licking the bowl clean.
Listen up: do not risk upsetting the Italians by sneaking heavy cream into your carbonara! For the real-deal authentic experience, you only need 5 simple ingredients: spaghetti, guanciale, black pepper, pecorino Romano, and eggs.
That is the whole list—no cream, no milk, no bacon, and no garlic allowed, no matter what other recipes might tell you.
This Tuscan seafood stew, known as cacciucco, is loaded with five different types of seafood—one for every single ‘c’ in the name. It’s seasoned beautifully with garlic, parsley, sage, and red wine vinegar, while a pinch of red pepper flakes brings just the right amount of spicy heat.
You pile this succulent stew right on top of homemade croutons so they can soak up every drop of that flavorful broth.
These almond biscotti are ready to crackle with every single bite, bringing together toasty nuts and a lovely dash of orange. They are crisp, crunchy, and perfectly sweet, making your afternoon coffee break feel extra special.
Just dunk one of these little guys into your espresso and let that crunch be the best part of your day.
Ribollita is basically Tuscan soul food—a veggie-packed soup loaded with white beans and garden goodness.
The bread actually thickens the mix, giving it a unique texture that feels more like a stew. After a one-hour simmer, you have a comforting, filling feast ready to go.
This recipe might not be strictly traditional Italian, but it definitely pulls inspiration from the classic Tuscan chicken. Just like the name implies, this is your favorite Tuscan chicken but shrimp-ified.
It takes things up a notch by frying the shrimp in garlic butter, because let’s be real—garlic, butter, and shrimp are a total no-brainer.
If you like your carbonara or Alfredo to be extra decadent, you really need to consider chicken tetrazzini.
What makes this casserole so iconic is the unbelievably rich and creamy sauce made from creamed soups, sour cream, butter, and all different kinds of cheeses. It is absolute umami overload and I am in love with it.
We don’t usually associate piles of vegetables with pasta, which is exactly why minestrone soup is such a delightful surprise. It’s a tomato broth-based soup loaded with pasta shells and a whole medley of greens and veggies.
You finish the soup off with parmesan cheese for a touch of richness, which covers up the vegetal taste just enough to make it perfect for kids.
Italian cuisine is way more than just pasta and pizza, as you will find out with this velvety Italian hot chocolate. Don’t even think about instant hot chocolate here—this recipe is on a whole different level.
It’s made with real dark chocolate, whole milk, and sugar, so it is thick, slightly sweet, and oh-so-decadent. Just close your eyes and you might find yourself transported straight to Italy.
There are not many Italian dinner recipes that amaze me quite the way cacio e pepe does. Meaning “cheese and pepper,” cacio e pepe is literally just that—a pasta dish with pecorino-romano cheese and ground pepper.
The two ingredients are mixed with butter to create a sauce, but at its core, it is simply cheese and pepper, and I guarantee it will blow you away.
You can totally class up your next brunch with this simple and refreshing bellini recipe. With only two ingredients—peaches and prosecco—you can create the perfect bubbly and fresh drink.
You blend peeled and pitted peaches to get a smooth puree, chill it for 30 minutes, add 2 ounces of puree to a flute, and top with prosecco for a big cheers!
It’s time to gather your loved ones for Pasta Fagioli al Forno, or “baked pasta with beans.” This cheesy Italian dish is absolutely bursting with flavor from herbs, spices, and Italian sausage.
Sauteed onions, carrots, celery, and garlic create the base, followed by a medley of delicious ingredients, including two types of cheese that bake up golden and bubbly for a dish that is sure to please.
