Mama mia, what flavors! Italian cuisine offers an entire boot’s worth of flavors and recipes to choose from. From hearty, long-simmered sauces to quick weeknight pasta, there are dishes to suit any palette or schedule. The key ingredients—tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and cheese—provide a foundation for both rustic and refined recipes. With minimal effort, home cooks can bring the essence of Italy to their kitchens.
This collection of 23 Italian recipes spans across cooking methods, ingredients, and courses, providing an array of options for dinner any time of the week. The dishes highlight classic Italian comfort flavors along with lighter, seasonal preparations. With recipes requiring either a minimal time commitment or a lazy afternoon spent in the kitchen, cooks can find an Italian-inspired meal for any day of the week.
Sauteed Swiss Rainbow Chard
Sauteed Swiss Rainbow Chard is an easy Italian recipe that brings a vibrant side dish to your table in under 15 minutes. The main ingredients, rainbow chard, garlic, and olive oil, blend to create a slightly bitter yet earthy flavor. It’s a versatile side that pairs well with both meat and pasta dishes, perfect for any day of the week.
Get the Recipe: Sauteed Swiss Rainbow Chard
Italian Chicken Cutlets
Italian Chicken Cutlets are a delightful, quick, 30-minute meal featuring chicken breasts coated in breadcrumbs and Parmesan for a crispy exterior. The cutlets are pan-fried to golden perfection, offering a savory and slightly cheesy taste. They’re a fantastic main course that can be served with pasta or a fresh salad, ideal for any busy weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Italian Chicken Cutlets
Stuffed Pepper
Stuffed Pepper with low-carb rice is a hearty and satisfying meal that can be ready in about an hour. Filled with a flavorful mix of ground meat, vegetables, and spices, these peppers are both nutritious and delicious, with a balance of sweet and savory flavors, making them a great choice for any mealtime.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Pepper
Chunky canned Italian tomato sauce
Chunky Canned Italian Tomato Sauce is a rustic and hearty sauce that can be prepared in roughly 2 hours. With tomatoes, onions, and a blend of herbs as its main ingredients, it boasts a robust and comforting taste. This sauce is ideal for dressing pasta or as a base for stews and soups, adding Italian flair to your weekly menu.
Get the Recipe: Chunky canned Italian tomato sauce
Rosemary Sourdough Bread
Rosemary Sourdough Bread, requiring several hours for fermentation and baking, is a fragrant and flavorful bread that’s perfect for any meal. Infused with fresh rosemary, this bread has a crisp crust and a soft interior. It’s excellent for dipping in soups or as a base for sandwiches, adding a touch of Italy to your daily bread.
Get the Recipe: Rosemary Sourdough Bread
Penne al Baffo
Penne al Baffo is a creamy and indulgent pasta dish ready in about 25 minutes. The main ingredients include penne pasta, heavy cream, and ham, culminating in a rich and savory flavor with a hint of tomato. It’s a quick and comforting choice for a weeknight dinner, easily fitting into your Italian recipe repertoire.
Get the Recipe: Penne al Baffo
Pasta Aglio Olio e Peperoncino
Pasta Aglio Olio e Peperoncino, a classic Italian dish, can be whipped up in just 20 minutes. With garlic, olive oil, and chili flakes, it has a simple yet bold flavor profile. This dish is perfect for those who appreciate a meal with a spicy kick, making it a go-to for a quick and flavorful dinner.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Aglio Olio e Peperoncino
Italian Ricotta Cookies
Italian Ricotta Cookies take about 45 minutes to make and are a delightful treat. These soft cookies are made with ricotta cheese and have a subtle sweetness, enhanced by a light glaze. They’re perfect for dessert or as a snack with coffee, bringing a taste of Italy to your sweet cravings.
Get the Recipe: Italian Ricotta Cookies
Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana
Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana requires about 4 hours in the slow cooker. This soup is brimming with Italian sausage, potatoes, and kale, creating a creamy and hearty flavor. It’s a warming dish ideal for cold days or a comforting dinner, effortlessly adding Italian charm to your soup selection.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana
Minestrone Soup with Sausage
Minestrone Soup with Sausage is a robust and flavorful soup that takes about 45 minutes to prepare. Packed with vegetables, sausage, and beans, it offers a rich taste with a hint of spice. This soup is a complete meal in itself and is perfect for any night of the week, bringing the essence of Italy to your table.
Get the Recipe: Minestrone Soup with Sausage
Grilled Scallops with Lemon, Mint, and Pinot Grigio Sauce
Grilled Scallops with Lemon, Mint, and Pinot Grigio Sauce can be enjoyed in about 30 minutes. The scallops are grilled to perfection and served with a refreshing sauce, offering a light and zesty flavor. This dish is a sophisticated yet easy option for a special occasion or a fancy dinner at home, bringing a taste of coastal Italy to your grill.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Scallops with Lemon, Mint, and Pinot Grigio Sauce
Sourdough Focaccia
Sourdough Focaccia, requiring several hours for preparation and baking, is a delightful Italian bread. It’s flavored with olive oil and rosemary, resulting in a chewy texture with a crisp crust. This focaccia is versatile and can be served as an appetizer or alongside a variety of main dishes, making it an easy choice for any Italian meal.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Focaccia
No-bake chocolate pistachio cake
No-bake Chocolate Pistachio Cake is a decadent dessert ready in about 4 hours, including chilling time. With its rich chocolate flavor and crunchy pistachios, it’s a no-fuss treat that’s sure to impress. This cake is ideal for those looking for an indulgent yet easy-to-make dessert, perfect for any Italian-themed gathering.
Get the Recipe: No-bake chocolate pistachio cake
Grilled Bruschetta Chicken
Grilled Bruschetta Chicken is a dish that combines the flavors of fresh tomatoes, basil, and balsamic glaze in about 30 minutes. The chicken is grilled to juicy perfection, making it a light and flavorful meal. It’s a simple yet delicious way to enjoy the essence of bruschetta in a protein-packed dish, suitable for any day of the week.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Bruschetta Chicken
Slow Cooker Lamb Ragu
Slow Cooker Lamb Ragu takes about 8 hours to slow cook to tender perfection. The main ingredients, lamb, tomatoes, and Italian herbs, meld together to create a rich and savory sauce. This ragu is perfect over pasta or polenta for a comforting and hearty meal, making it an effortless addition to your weekly meal plan.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Lamb Ragu
Italian Meatball Soup
Italian Meatball Soup, ready in just over an hour, is a nourishing and flavorful soup. It combines homemade meatballs, vegetables, and pasta in a savory broth. The soup is hearty and satisfying, making it a perfect choice for a family dinner, and a simple way to bring Italian flavors to your table.
Get the Recipe: Italian Meatball Soup
Hearty Marinara Sauce
Hearty Marinara Sauce takes about 2 hours to simmer into a rich and flavorful sauce. With tomatoes, garlic, and a blend of Italian herbs, this sauce has a deep and aromatic flavor. It’s a versatile sauce that can be used on pasta,
Get the Recipe: Hearty Marinara Sauce
Eggplant Tomato Stacks
Eggplant Tomato Stacks are a delightful and healthy dish that can be ready in about an hour. Layers of eggplant, tomato, and cheese are baked together, resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth texture with a balance of flavors. This dish is great for a light lunch or as a vegetarian main course, bringing a slice of Italy to your everyday meals.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Tomato Stacks
Keto Zuppa Toscana Soup
Keto Zuppa Toscana Soup is a low-carb version of the classic Italian soup, ready in about an hour. It’s loaded with sausage, cauliflower, and kale, offering a rich and creamy taste without the carbs. This soup is perfect for those on a ketogenic diet or anyone looking for a lighter option, while still enjoying Italian flavors.
Get the Recipe: Keto Zuppa Toscana Soup
Italian Slow Cooker Pork Roast
Italian Slow Cooker Pork Roast requires about 8 hours in the slow cooker. The pork is seasoned with Italian herbs and cooked until it’s fall-apart tender. This dish has a savory and aromatic flavor, making it a fuss-free meal for any day of the week, and a delicious way to enjoy Italian cuisine with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Italian Slow Cooker Pork Roast
Baked Feta Pasta
Baked Feta Pasta is a trendy and easy dish that takes about 35 minutes to prepare. With feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, and pasta, it has a creamy and tangy flavor. This dish is perfect for a quick and satisfying meal that’s sure to please a crowd, offering a taste of Italy with minimal effort any day of the week.
Get the Recipe: Baked Feta Pasta
Pasta e Fagioli Soup
Pasta e Fagioli Soup is a traditional Italian dish ready in about an hour. This soup combines pasta, beans, and vegetables in a hearty broth, offering a comforting and savory flavor. It’s a filling and nutritious option for a cozy dinner, easily adaptable to any day’s schedule.
Get the Recipe: Pasta e Fagioli Soup
Roasted Creamy Tomato Soup
Roasted Creamy Tomato Soup takes about an hour to make and is a rich and comforting dish. With roasted tomatoes and a touch of cream, it has a smooth texture and a deep, roasted flavor. This soup is perfect for pairing with a grilled cheese sandwich or as a starter to an Italian feast, proving that classic Italian comfort can be simple to achieve.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Creamy Tomato Soup