Pizza, pasta, pesto: 33 Italian recipes for food lovers!

Italian food is not just a meal but a celebration of life, love, and la dolce vita! Whether you’re a die-hard foodie or just someone who appreciates a good meal, Italian recipes have a special place in every food lover’s heart. From silky pasta twirls to crispy pizza crusts and aromatic herb-infused pesto, this is your ultimate guide to insanely delicious Italian inspired recipes that will have food lovers everywhere saying “Mamma mia!”

Heart Shaped Pizza

Indulge in a delightful homemade heart-shaped pizza with a crisp, golden crust, gooey cheese, and your favorite toppings. This simple recipe is sure to win over your loved one’s heart with its delicious flavors and charming presentation.
Get the Recipe: Heart Shaped Pizza

Roasted Cauliflower Carbonara

Ideal for any pasta lover, this delicious Italian recipe combines roasted cauliflower florets with a creamy sauce that includes bacon or pancetta and parmesan cheese. It comes out of the oven perfectly golden brown and caramelized and is sure to impress.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower Carbonara

Meatball Marinara Subs

Savor the juicy homemade meatballs, tangy marinara sauce, and fluffy brioche buns in Italian meatball marinara subs – a satisfying comfort food that’s perfect for lunch or busy weeknights. These sandwiches are far tastier than the fast-food version and sure to please anyone, regardless of their Italian heritage.
Get the Recipe: Meatball Marinara Subs

Roasted Tomato and Meatball Polenta

Meatballs and polenta with garlic roasted tomatoes is a simple to make, hearty meal. Easy comforting weeknight meals like this are perfect for the colder months when you crave something tasty and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Tomato and Meatball Polenta

Italian Penne Rosa Pasta

If you’re looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner, try making this one-pot Penne Rosa Pasta with a creamy tomato sauce. This comforting and filling Italian dish is both tasty and satisfying, and perfect for those who love a little spice in their meal.
Get the Recipe: Italian Penne Rosa Pasta

Antipasto Board

Make the Italian antipasto board or holiday antipasto wreath your new appetizer tradition – a delicious party platter featuring a variety of cheeses, deli meats, vegetables, and a flavorful garlicky herb dressing that’s sure to please every palate.
Get the Recipe: Antipasto Board

Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Transform traditional Italian comfort food with this recipe for homemade sweet potato gnocchi with roasted garlic sauce. The perfect vegetarian main course or flavorful side dish, this dish is easy to make with just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of patience.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Eggplant Parmigiana

Try this authentic Italian recipe for eggplant parmigiana, which is a comfor food favourite. Baked with a flavorful tomato and vodka sauce, this delicious vegetarian dinner idea is a hearty and satisfying meal bursting with tasty flavors.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Parmigiana

Chicken Pesto Sandwich

Italian chicken pesto sandwich, which is easy and quick to make for dinner or lunch. Made with tender grilled chicken, creamy pesto sauce, fresh mozzarella, and tomato, this sandwich is sure to satisfy your taste buds when served on ciabatta rolls or focaccia bread.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pesto Sandwich

Italian Beef

You won’t be able to resist making slow cooker Italian beef again and again once you try it. This hearty and filling dish is perfect on toasted rolls or hoagie buns and the slow cooked beef is incredibly tender and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Italian Beef

Pizza Giana Rustica

Looking for a unique brunch or dinner dish? Look no further than pizza giana rustica, an authentic and classic Italian savory pie filled with a delicious blend of meats and cheeses. This dish, also known as pizza ripiena or pizza chiena, is the perfect way to use up leftover ham and is sure to impress your guests with its tasty combination of egg, cheese, and meat
Get the Recipe: Pizza Giana Rustica

Mushroom Ragu

Elevate your pasta game with this delicious and flavorful mushroom ragu vegan pasta sauce, made with garlic, wine, herbs, and a variety of fresh vegetables. This homemade spaghetti sauce is perfect for vegans or anyone who loves a hearty and healthy meal, and is sure to become your new favorite meatless ragu recipe.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Ragu

Lasagna Soup

This slow cooker lasagna soup recipe is the best you’ll ever try, with a hearty and delicious flavor that is sure to satisfy. Although there are quite a few ingredients, it’s an easy crockpot Italian dinner that is perfect for any night of the week.
Get the Recipe: Lasagna Soup

Giardiniera

An authentic Italian giardiniera recipe consists of Italian pickled vegetables, making it the perfect condiment for Italian sandwiches, cured meats, cheese, grilled meats, pasta salads, and charcuterie boards. With fresh peppers and veggies, it adds a burst of flavor to any dish.
Get the Recipe: Giardiniera

Italian Stromboli Recipe

Experience the taste of true Italian flavors with this authentic stromboli recipe, originating from South Philly where Italian immigrants first created this Italian-American dish. With its combination of deli meats, cheese, and rich Italian flavors rolled into a delicious sandwich, this easy-to-make stromboli is a great way to spice up any pizza night.
Get the Recipe: Italian Stromboli Recipe

Pesto Genovese

Creating your own authentic Italian basil pesto is a breeze and requires no cooking. The fresh and creamy flavor of this homemade pesto sauce surpasses store-bought alternatives, and it can be used as a pasta sauce, condiment, or dip, making it a perfect use for fresh basil from your garden.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Genovese

Tomato Burrata Caprese Salad

This authentic Italian burrata caprese salad is a delicious side dish or appetizer that features heirloom tomatoes and creamy burrata cheese, with balsamic vinegar and truffle salt for added flavor. With every bite, you’ll savor the delicious flavors of this simple yet impressive dish.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Burrata Caprese Salad

Beef Braciole

This savory dish, featuring a stuffed and rolled steak smothered in tomato sauce, is a timeless classic that pairs perfectly with pasta, mashed potatoes, or a side of vegetables, making it the perfect centerpiece for a Sunday family dinner.
Get the Recipe: Beef Braciole

Zuccotto Cake

ndulge in the perfect treat with this easy Italian zuccotto cake – a traditional Italian dessert made with pound cake, mascarpone cheese, chocolate, and more. With only nine ingredients, including fun multicolored sprinkles, this simple liqueur cake is a deliciously delightful dessert after dinner.
Get the Recipe: Zuccotto Cake

Garlic Marinara Sauce

Italian garlic marinara sauce made with fresh and simple ingredients. Whether you’re a lover of authentic Italian cuisine or simply appreciate delicious flavors, this classic marinara recipe is easy to make and guarantees the absolute best taste compared to any store-bought alternatives.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Marinara Sauce

Muffaletta Sandwich

Savor the deliciousness of a homemade muffaletta sandwich, featuring a flavorful olive spread, deli meats, and cheese. With a simple recipe that you can make at home, this satisfying sandwich is sure to become a culinary highlight that will impress even the heartiest of appetites.
Get the Recipe: Muffaletta Sandwich

Chicken Saltimbocca

chicken saltimbocca, a classic Italian dish that features tender chicken with sage saltimbocca sauce, prosciutto, and provolone cheese. Rich in flavor and beautifully served with polenta, potatoes, or pasta, this traditional Italian dish is sure to become your new favorite chicken dinner recipe.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Saltimbocca

Chicken Alfredo Crepes

Wondering what Italian crespelle are? They are delicious Italian crepes with alfredo sauce, perfect for making a savory chicken alfredo crepe that is easy to make, unique, and packed with flavor. Give this leftover chicken recipe a try and you’ll discover a new favorite way to enjoy Italian cuisine.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Alfredo Crepes

Mushroom and Onion Focaccia Bread

Marsala mushroom and onion focaccia is a wonderful addition to any meal or gathering, and is especially great for sharing. With its savoury, mushroom flavour and fluffy texture, this focaccia recipe is sure to impress and become a family favourite.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom and Onion Focaccia Bread

Pesto Fettuccini with Bolognese Sauce

Indulge in a delicious homemade Italian pasta dinner with pesto fettuccini and Bolognese sauce, bursting with fresh veggies in every bite. This hearty dish, featuring a homemade beef Bolognese meat sauce and fettuccine pasta, is sure to satisfy your cravings for a flavorful Italian meal.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Fettuccini with Bolognese Sauce

Sweet Italian Ricotta Pie

Looking for a traditional Italian dessert to make? Try making sweet Italian ricotta pie, a delicious cheese pie filled with ricotta, vanilla, orange, and spices. You can simplify the recipe by using a pre-made pie crust instead of pasta frolla, and your family is sure to love this creamy pie with its lattice top and rich ricotta cheese filling.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Italian Ricotta Pie

Burrata Stuffed Tomato Appetizer

For a delightful Italian appetizer, try making fresh burrata-stuffed tomatoes – a quick, simple, and colorful dish that’s perfect for bite-sized finger food. With only four ingredients, plus salt and pepper, these appetizers are appetizing without being too filling, making them a great start to an Italian-inspired meal.
Get the Recipe: Burrata Stuffed Tomato Appetizer

Chicken Piccata with Angel Hair Pasta

Indulge in the deliciousness of garlic chicken piccata with angel hair pasta – a flavorful and easy chicken and pasta meal . With juicy chicken, garlic, lemon, and pasta, this dish is a true delight that’s sure to satisfy your cravings for a scrumptious Italian-inspired dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Piccata with Angel Hair Pasta

Creamy Mushroom Risotto

This creamy mushroom risotto is bursting with flavor and is a standout side dish for chicken, turkey, or a satisfying standalone option for vegetarians. Made with white wine or chardonnay, shiitake, and cremini mushrooms, this Northern Italian dish is simple to make yet impressively delicious.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mushroom Risotto

Pesto Rosso

Pesto rosso, a red alternative to green pesto, is versatile – spread it over crackers or toast, or use it as a pasta sauce. Try this delicious sun-dried tomato pesto recipe for a burst of flavor in your dishes.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Rosso

Ham Provolone Rosettes

If you’re looking for an easy and aesthetically pleasing dish, try making Italian baked ham provolone rosettes. These adorable little pasta pinwheels, filled with ham, provolone, and parmesan, are not only easy to assemble but also delicious, making them a crowd-pleasing favorite.
Get the Recipe: Ham Provolone Rosettes

Lemon Ricotta Amaretti Budino Cake

The bundt pan is essential for creating the classic shape of this Italian dessert, which is a delightful combination of sweet and tangy flavors. Whether you enjoy it for a holiday celebration or a casual gathering, this lemon ricotta amaretti budino cake is sure to please.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Ricotta Amaretti Budino Cake