Easy Italian recipes you need to know how to make, from crusty focaccia to the best meatballs you’ll ever taste!
Learn how to make these 11 Italian recipes and you’ll be set for life! Italian food has always been a favorite in the US, and it’s had an indelible impact on our food tastes, especially if you grew up in the Northeast, like I did. Italian food runs in our veins, and there’s nothing more comforting to me than a slice of focaccia or a plate of sausage and peppers.
Italian pantry essentials
When you have these essentials in the cupboard, a good meal is never very far away. Hopefully you’ve got garlic, basil, lemons, and a chunk of real Parm in the kitchen, too.
- extra virgin olive oil
- pasta
- anchovies
- balsamic vinegar
- olives
- pine nuts
- red pepper flakes
- arborio rice
- dried beans
- polenta
- canned tomatoes and tomato paste
a hearty soup
Soup is an integral part of the healthy Mediterranean diet, and the Italians are masters at making soups that are satisfying enough to make a meal. If you’re cooking on a budget, this classic Italian soup recipe will be your best friend.
- Italian Sausage and Bean Soup
- Italian Minestrone Soup
- Lemony Tuscan Artichoke Soup
- Tuscan White Bean Soup (with Sausage Meatballs)
focaccia bread
Focaccia was the first bread I learned to make and it remains one of my favorites. It’s used for snacking, sandwiches, even breakfast in Italy. Different toppings like herbs or veggies give this basic Italian bread recipe many personalities.
- Rosemary and Olive No Knead Focaccia Bread
- Easy Focaccia Bread Recipe
- Cherry Tomato Focaccia
- Sage Focaccia Bread
- Meyer Lemon Focaccia Bread
pesto
Pesto is in a class by itself, it might be Italy’s greatest culinary gift to the world. My mouth waters just thinking about it. I suggest starting with the original pesto alla Genovese, and then adjusting it to your taste. I love mine spicy!
- Basil Pesto Recipe
- Lemony Artichoke Pesto Recipe
- Spicy Basil Pesto
- Chive and Parsley Pesto
- How to Keep Pesto Green!
Bolognese sauce
At some point in your cooking career you’ll graduate from spaghetti and meat sauce to pasta Bolognese, and you’ll never look back.
- Easy Pasta Bolognese Recipe
- Stuffed Shells Bolognese
caprese salad
Caprese is less of a recipe and more of a state of mind. It’s knowing that the freshest, best ingredients need nothing more than a chop and a toss. When fabulous full sized tomatoes are out of season, I make this classic Italian tomato salad recipe with cherry tomatoes.
- Heirloom Tomato Caprese Salad
- Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad
- Burrata Caprese Salad
- Caprese Skillet Chicken
fresh pasta
When you’re ready to advance to next level Italian food, fresh pasta is waiting for you. This recipe requires no special pasta machine ~ just a rolling pin and a floured surface.
citrus cake
One of the often forgotten aspects of Italian cuisine is all that wonderful citrus. Oranges and lemons feature in so many different recipes but citrus cakes are some of my favorites.
- Sicilian Citrus Salad
- Gluten Free Tangerine Cake
- Lemon Olive Oil Cake
- Lemon Yogurt Breakfast Cake (Ciambella)
carbonara
Carbonara is a classic Italian pasta dish that originated in Rome. It is a simple yet flavorful dish made with a few key ingredients: pasta, eggs, pancetta or guanciale (Italian cured pork jowl), Parmesan cheese, and black pepper.
- Mushroom Carbonara with Gruyere and Hazelnuts
- Jamie Oliver’s Easy Sausage Carbonara
- Brussels Sprout Carbonara
- Breakfast Carbonara Pasta
pizza dough
I can’t think of a recipe you could master that would have a greater impact on your culinary life than pizza dough. It’s a game changer in so many ways, and my recipe couldn’t be easier!
- The EASIEST Pizza Dough Recipe
- Buttery Garlic Knots
meatballs
If you’re going to make meatballs, I highly recommend you start with the best. These take a little bit of time, but they are transcendent. My meatballs al forno is an authentic Italian recipe from Mozza restaurant in Los Angeles.
- Meatballs al forno
- Spaghetti and Meatball Soup
- Cheesy Chicken Parmesan Meatballs (low carb and keto friendly)
risotto
Risotto is magical and something everybody needs to learn how to make. Once you do, I suggest you try my Instant Pot risotto. I’ll go out on a limb and swear it’s just as good as the best risotto I’ve ever eaten, but it takes a fraction of the time.
- Instant Pot Wild Mushroom Risotto
- Italian Wedding Risotto
- Saffron Risotto with Roasted Asparagus
- Instant Pot Cheddar Risotto with Fresh Sage
- Tomato and Parmesan Risotto
Frittata
Frittatas are nutritious, budget friendly versatile meals that everybody loves ~ Thank you Italy!
- Sheet Pan Frittata with Spring Greens
- Asparagus Goat Cheese and Olive Frittata
- Vegetable Frittata
tiramisu
This Italian dessert recipe towers over all others for its unique mouthfeel, its multi-levels of flavor, and the cool way it makes something so rich seem so light and airy. Thank you, Italy!
- Nutella Tiramisu
- Easy Tiramisu
- Icebox Tiramisu
buon appetito!
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