On nights when we don’t know what to have for dinner, Italian is usually our fallback choice. However, ordering takeout pizza can get expensive. So lately we’ve been turning to one of these 17 Italian recipes for supper. They’re so delicious that I think you might just ditch your pizza takeout menu forever after you try them.
Easy Pasta Puttanesca
Pasta Puttanesca is a classic Italian sauce that’s quick to make and perfect for busy nights. It’s a hearty Italian meal that comes together in no time without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Easy Pasta Puttanesca
Goat Cheese Pizza Sauce
Add an unexpected but delicious twist to your pizza sauce by blending in goat cheese. It might sound unusual but trust me: the combination works, and your tastebuds will love it.
Get the Recipe: Goat Cheese Pizza Sauce
Sourdough Pizza Dough
If you’ve never tried working with Sourdough Pizza Dough, make sure to give this recipe a go. We love pizza in our house, but once we started using sourdough pizza dough, we never went back.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Pizza Dough
Homemade Focaccia Bread
Homemade Focaccia is basically olive-oil bread, usually made savory with spices — traditionally rosemary — plus cheese, veggies and/or meat as toppings. It goes great as a side, cut up small as an appetizer or, when loaded with food stuff, a main course.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Focaccia Bread
Fast No Rise Pizza Dough
This Fast, No Rise Pizza Dough is quick and easy. Just mix, shape, add your toppings and bake. In no time, you’ll have a piping hot slice of homemade pizza — so much cheaper than takeout.
Get the Recipe: Fast No Rise Pizza Dough
Copycat Trader Joe’s Arancini Rice Balls
Arancini are fried risotto balls filled with cheese. Trader Joe’s used to sell them, but since they don’t anymore, we created this copycat recipe that makes for great appetizers or a hearty side dish.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Trader Joe’s Arancini Rice Balls
Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo Fettuccine
This Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo is a quick and easy dinner. It features seasoned chicken served on top of fettuccine noodles, all tossed with a rich alfredo sauce. You’ll swear you’re dining at a restaurant.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo Fettuccine
Shrimp Scampi Over Linguine
This classic Italian dish is both quick and impressive. It’s perfect for a simple meal at home or when you want to impress guests. Use leftover shrimp and boil up some linguine to serve and, in no time, dinner is ready.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Scampi Over Linguine
Italian Sausage and Pepper Pasta in One Pot
Italian Sausage and Pepper Pasta in One Pot is a hearty, one-dish dinner that gets dinner on the table in under 30 minutes. The pasta and sauce hit all the right notes for a comforting Italian meal.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage and Pepper Pasta in One Pot
30-Minute Creamy Chicken Corn and Pasta
This Creamy Chicken Corn and Pasta recipe is simple yet tasty. Bowtie pasta and seasoned chicken chunks are topped with bacon, making everything better. It might not be traditional Italian but it’s delish.
Get the Recipe: 30-Minute Creamy Chicken Corn and Pasta
Easy Shrimp Scampi
Shrimp Scampi is a quick, easy meal that will impress your guests. With minimal prep, you’ll serve up a dish that tastes like it came from a restaurant.
Get the Recipe: Easy Shrimp Scampi
Easy Cold Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing
We love pasta but not the hot version in warm weather. A Cold Pasta Salad satisfies that pasta craving, and in winter, it can be served as a side dish instead of the main course.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cold Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing
Basic Risotto
Risotto is a northern Italian staple made with rice, garlic, onions and cheese. It’s hearty enough on its own or can be paired with veggies and protein for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Basic Risotto
Easy Tomato Focaccia
I love focaccia and pizza, so turning my focaccia into a puffy, pizza-like creation was a dream. This Easy Tomato Focaccia Bread is a gourmet take on the cafeteria pizza from my childhood.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tomato Focaccia
Crock Pot Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo with Tortellini
When I made this Crock Pot Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo with Tortellini, I cooked the chicken thighs in alfredo sauce first, then added cream and tortellini. It’s a delicious, easy one-pot meal that tastes just like the restaurant version.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo with Tortellini
Risotto Shrimp Scampi
Risotto Shrimp Scampi combines two classic Italian dishes into one. It’s a great option when hosting guests, and with a few simple ingredients, it cooks quickly — especially if you have the risotto already made.
Get the Recipe: Risotto Shrimp Scampi
Goat Cheese Focaccia with Dates
Focaccia Bread with Goat Cheese and Dates is a great brunch dish or hors d’oeuvre. It’s our go-to potluck recipe when we want to bring something more than just a cheese platter or veggies and dip. On its own, it’s also a filling meal.
Get the Recipe: Goat Cheese Focaccia with Dates