When it comes to 17 Italian meals that clean plates better than your dishwasher, Italy knows how to serve up a masterpiece. These dishes are so good that no one leaves a crumb behind, putting even the best dishwashers to shame. Think about meals so irresistible that you’ll be licking the plate clean every time. From start to finish, these Italian wonders guarantee a spotless plate and a satisfied stomach, proving why they’re unbeatable.
Best Lemon Pasta
Bright, tangy, and ready to mingle, Best Lemon Pasta is here to give your dinner routine a much-needed citrus twist. This dish is like that burst of sunshine on a cloudy day, that little jolt of joy that has everyone asking, “Who brought the sunshine inside?” So, go ahead, twirl that fork and take a bite, and watch as this citrusy sensation dances its way into your regular meal rotation.
Get the Recipe: Best Lemon Pasta
Caprese Pesto Tarts
For those times you’re feeling a wee bit fancy, Caprese Pesto Tarts are ready to strut their stuff as the posh nosh on your plate. It’s a love triangle between juicy tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and that oh-so-divine pesto, all sitting pretty in a golden pastry. With each bite, you’ll be channeling your inner Italian chef, because who needs a trip to Italy when Italy just came to your kitchen?
Get the Recipe: Caprese Pesto Tarts
Pasta Salad with Grilled Veggies
Grill season is never really over, especially when Pasta Salad with Grilled Veggies steps onto the scene. It’s backyard BBQ vibes on your fork, without the hassle of lighting any charcoal. Think of it as your palates going on a little picnic every time you take a bite, with the charred veggies just being the life of the party. So prep your best “I just threw this together” humble-bring for when everyone asks for the recipe.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Salad with Grilled Veggies
Mac and Cheese
The OG of comfort food, Mac and Cheese, needs no introduction because its mere mention makes you weak in the knees. Whether you’re whipping up a quick mid-week savior or an ‘it’s time to impress someone special’ sidekick, this cheesy masterpiece has got your back. There’s just something about the melty, gooey goodness that makes you want to dance around in your kitchen, and let’s be real, leftovers are for amateurs.
Get the Recipe: Mac and Cheese
Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta
When the comfort food craving hits, Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta swoops in to save the day with its cape made of cream and parmesan. Forkful after forkful, this dish is like a cozy blanket on a chilly evening, with pops of corn giving you tiny bursts of sunshine. Keep your friends close, but keep your creamy pasta closer, especially when it’s doing double duty as your weeknight hero.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta
Spaghetti Marinara
Ah, Spaghetti Marinara, the classic you turn to when you need a little love on a plate. It’s like that old friend who never disappoints – reliable, uncomplicated, and always there when you need them. No frills, no fuss, just good ol’ pasta covered in a hug of tomato sauce. And let’s be real, slurping up those noodles is the best part of any day.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Marinara
Pasta Carbonara
Whoever said breakfast for dinner was for kids clearly never had a plate of Pasta Carbonara in front of them. Crunchy, salty, and all wrapped up in eggy, cheesy goodness, it’s the kind of dish you cancel plans for. Clinging onto your fork like the best kind of friend, it’s there to whisper, “Hey, you’ve earned this,” after a long day’s work.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Carbonara
Copycat Olive Garden Ravioli Carbonara
If you’ve ever wished you could stuff the essence of Olive Garden into your home cooking, meet Copycat Olive Garden Ravioli Carbonara. It’s like sneaking your favorite restaurant dish home in your pocket, but totally legal. Creamy, dreamy, and packed with all the flavor of a night out, minus the wait for a table. Your fork is ready to swoon.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Olive Garden Ravioli Carbonara
Pasta Primavera
Step aside, sad salads, Pasta Primavera is here to bring the veggie party straight to your dinner plate. Full of color and packed with flavor, it’s the champion of turning a smorgasbord of garden goodness into a meal you actually want to eat. And while you’re twirling those veggies around your fork, you might just forget you’re being all kinds of healthy.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Primavera
Spaghetti Bolognese
There’s something about Spaghetti Bolognese that feels like coming home, even if you’ve never been to Italy. It’s the culinary equivalent of a warm hug from a fat Italian nonna you wish you had. Each forkful is a promise that no matter how hard life gets, pasta will always be there for you. It’s not just dinner; it’s an emotional support meal.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Bolognese
Italian Pasta with Salami
Let’s face it, Italian Pasta with Salami is the bad boy of the pasta world – it’s a little bit spicy, totally irresistible, and keeps you coming back for more. It’s the kind of dish that makes you want to book a one-way ticket to Italy, or at least pretend you’re there while you’re eating it. This is not your grandma’s pasta, unless your grandma is a rebel. Then it might be.
Get the Recipe: Italian Pasta with Salami
Macaroni Salad
When it’s your turn to bring a dish to the potluck, Macaroni Salad is your secret weapon. It’s the cool, creamy sidekick that pairs well with just about anything, especially BBQs and picnics. This dish says, “I’m here to party,” and trust me, it’s the alla life of every party. Plus, it’s a great way to make friends – who doesn’t love the person who brings the macaroni salad?
Get the Recipe: Macaroni Salad
Tuscan Pasta
Take a trip to Tuscany without leaving your kitchen with Tuscan Pasta, the dish that’s more affordable than a flight to Italy. It’s rustic, it’s hearty, and it’s drenched in the kind of flavors that make you feel like you’re dining in a vineyard. Every bite is a little “I love you” to your soul. Just be prepared to want seconds (or thirds).
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Pasta
Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna
So, you thought lasagna was all about the meat? Well, let me introduce you to Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna, the dish that throws that idea right out the window. This is the superhero of the lasagna world, decked out in its leafy green cape, ready to rescue you from the doldrums of dinner. It’s cheesy, it’s comforting, and hey, you’re basically eating a salad (wink, wink).
Get the Recipe: Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna
Cheeseburger Pasta
If you’re all about that ‘cheese pull’ life, Cheeseburger Pasta is your soulmate in a bowl. We’re breaking the rules of traditional cuisine by smooshing together a juicy burger and a comforting pasta dish, and nobody’s mad about it. You’ll be scooping seconds before you can say “more cheese, please,” because, let’s be honest, why choose between a burger and pasta when you can have both?
Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Pasta
Penne Alla Vodka
If a dish could wink, Penne Alla Vodka would be giving you the eye from across the room. It’s the saucy minx of pasta dishes that delivers a slightly naughty kick with every bite. Settle in for an evening where a splash of vodka turns a simple meal into a posh plate worth dressing up for, even if you’re just sitting on the couch.
Get the Recipe: Penne Alla Vodka
Homemade Lasagna
You know it’s a good day when the kitchen smells like Homemade Lasagna and you can hear the bubbling cheese beckoning you to the table. Rolling up your sleeves for this one is part of the fun – it’s like edible arts and crafts with layers of yum. After a few bites, you’ll be patting yourself on the back for a job well done and ready to fend off anyone eyeing the last piece. Feed a crowd, or just hoard it for yourself (we won’t tell).
Get the Recipe: Homemade Lasagna