If you grew up having Sunday dinners with your family, then you’ll recall how good the food usually was. These 15 Italian dinner recipes will make your weeknight meals feel like Sundays all over again. Dig in!
Shrimp Scampi Over Linguine
Two of the easiest things to cook when you’re craving Italian: linguine and sauteed shrimp. Keep frozen, small, deveined shrimp in the freeze so you can whip up this classic Italian dish for an impressive dinner.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Scampi Over Linguine
Basic Risotto
Risotto is a northern Italian staple of rice, garlic, onions and cheese that provides a hearty base for a variety of dishes. You’d be amazed at all of the things you can make or serve with risotto. Did your Nonna make it?
Get the Recipe: Basic Risotto
Savory Charcuterie Board
Feel like making a girl dinner with an Italian twist? Then, you’ll love this Savory Charcuterie Board of mozzarella wrapped in prosciutto, pepperoni and olives that satisfy the salty side of your tastebuds.
Get the Recipe: Savory Charcuterie Board
Copycat Trader Joe’s Arancini Rice Balls
Made the risotto mentioned earlier? Great. Now you can make these Copycat Trader Joe’s Arancini Rice balls, with and are cheese-filled fried risotto balls. Serve with sauce and they make a meal.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Trader Joe’s Arancini Rice Balls
Easy Pasta Puttanesca
If Nonna didn’t teach you how to make a Pasta Puttanesca, she should have. This is a classic Italian quick sauce that tastes like it took a long time and a lot of effort, but it doesn’t.
Get the Recipe: Easy Pasta Puttanesca
Vegan Pesto Sauce
Nonna may not be vegan but she taught us how to make a basic basil pesto sauce. With a few substitutions, this becomes a wonderful vegan option for serving over pasta on a busy weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Pesto Sauce
Italian Sausage and Pepper Pasta in One Pot
This Italian Sausage and Pepper Pasta in One Pot dinner tastes like something that was slow cooked on a Sunday. But the great news is that you can get it on the table in under 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage and Pepper Pasta in One Pot
30-Minute Creamy Chicken Corn and Pasta
Another fast and easy Italian dinner that will transport you to Sunday dinners. However, this Creamy Chicken Corn and Pasta recipe is done and ready in 30 minutes, great for a busy weeknight.
Get the Recipe: 30-Minute Creamy Chicken Corn and Pasta
Fast No Rise Pizza Dough
Yes, it’s easy to order
Get the Recipe: Fast No Rise Pizza Dough
Goat Cheese Pizza Sauce
After you get the Fast No Rise
Get the Recipe: Goat Cheese Pizza Sauce
Sourdough Pizza Dough
Break out your sourdough starter and use it to make this Sourdough
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Pizza Dough
Pizza Toppings Bar
Whether you decide to go with a fast no rise
Get the Recipe: Pizza Toppings Bar
Grandma’s Marinara Sauce
Be like Nonna and make Grandma’s Marinara Sauce on Sunday. But make enough that you can have leftovers in the freezer so you can whip up a delicious Italian pasta dish with it on a weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Marinara Sauce
Easy Meat Sauce
My grandparents would let this sauce recipe gently simmer for hours on Sunday morning. The long, slow cook thickened the texture and enriched the flavors. Make it on Sunday and reheat for a weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Easy Meat Sauce
Best Way to Reheat Lasagna
Sometimes the best fast dinner on a busy weeknight is leftovers. If you made a marinara or a meat sauce and used it in a lasagna and you want to serve it tonight, follow these tips for the perfect slice of next-day lasagna.
Get the Recipe: Best Way to Reheat Lasagna