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Home » 42+ Delicious Italian Recipes to Savor at Home

42+ Delicious Italian Recipes to Savor at Home

September 26, 2019 by Marie Perry

When you can’t get to Italy, bring the flavor of your favorite destination home with these tasty Italian recipes! From savory meals to indulgent desserts, you’ll find something here to make your taste buds swoon. Vino rosa optional.

Heading to Italy? Check out 30 things to know before you go.

ingredients for making an italian meal: basil, olives, tomato, garlic, pasta

Italian recipes for your table

Is the food in Italy especially tasty, or does it just seem like it because you’re on vacation? Hard to say, right?? While there are plenty of things to love about eating your way around the country, there’s no reason you can’t continue to enjoy some of your favorite Italian flavors right at home.

You might even want to try your hand at making homemade Italian pasta!

Savory Italian Recipes for Lunch or Dinner

When you dine at a restaurant in Italy, you’ll get a choice of primi piatti or secondi piatti.

Primi piatti: These “first plates” are typically starchy offerings like pasta, risotto, or soup.

Secondi piatti: “Second plates” feature the main course, often meat.

Diners may choose to order either or both, often depending upon how long they intend to extend their meal.

2 baked cannelloni on a white plate

Baked Ricotta Stuffed Cannelloni

When it comes to delicious Italian meals, baked cannelloni can’t be beat. There are as many recipes for this dish as there are Italian nonnas. This cannelloni recipe features pasta stuffed with a ricotta filling that’s cheesy and delicious.

farfalle pasta with zucchini and ham on a white plate

Italian Farfalle Pasta (Bowtie Pasta) with Zucchini and Ham

This farfalle pasta topped with a light zucchini and ham “condimento” is a delicious recipe straight from Italy.

white bowl of sun dried tomato pesto from above.

Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto

A little different than traditional pesto, this sun dried tomato pesto is perfect as a last minute appetizer.

white bowl filled with sausage and mushroom risotto.

Creamy Risotto with Sausage and Mushrooms

Risotto is a delicious Italian staple that can be made with numerous variations. This sausage and mushroom risotto is one of our faves!

squares of focaccia with tomato and rosemary from above.

Rosemary Tomato Focaccia

This thick and airy focaccia bread is delicious as a snack on the go or served with your favorite soup. Slice it through the middle and use it to make sandwiches!

stuffed zucchini -- yummy italian recipes

Zucchini Ripieni (Stuffed Courgettes)

These stuffed courgettes (aka zucchini) combine ricotta and fresh mint to make a deliciously light and flavor-filled dish. 

tuscan white bean soup in a white bowl with ungrated pecorino cheese

Tuscan white bean soup

This flavorful, hearty Tuscan white bean soup is the perfect option for chilly nights! Pair it with fresh artisan bread or a side salad!

tuscan braised pork on a bed of polenta

Pull out your dutch oven for this tender and flavorful Tuscan inspired braised pork! This savory meal is comfort food at its best!

baked cod fillet on top of eggplant caponata in a white dish

Cod and Eggplant Caponata

This flaky, delicious cod fish plated on top of a hearty eggplant caponata, is full of nutritious vegetables and savory flavors. There is no better way to get your veggies than in this rich Sicilian dish!

lemon shrimp and peas with risotto in a bowl

Shrimp & Pea Risotto

A classic Italian shrimp risotto that takes your mouth on a delicious journey! Add cooked shrimp to creamy risotto then add a lemon tang that brightens the dish! 

slow cooker chicken cacciatore on a pretty white plate with noodles

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

This rustic slow cooker chicken cacciatore recipe is a perfect weeknight meal. With just seven ingredients plus herbs and spices, it comes together in a hurry!

sausage and mushroom pasta on a white plate

Sausage and Mushroom Tagliatelle

This sausage and mushroom pasta served with freshly made tagliatelle is divine! 

slice of meat lasagna on a white plate

Lasagna with Ricotta Cheese

Comfort food at its best, this delicious lasagna recipe is loaded with cheesy goodness!

reddish bowl of soup in a white dish

Acquacotta

A hearty and traditional peasant soup, this Acquacotta (cooked water) is tomato-based and served with a delicate poached egg.

green gnocchi

Spinach Gnocchi Recipe

Topped with crispy fried sage leaves, this brightly colored gnocchi pops with flavor in a brown butter sauce.

artichoke salad

Sicilian-style artichoke salad

Serve this Sicilian roasted artichoke salad as a main course or hearty side dish. It’s full of fresh herbs and vegetables, as well as fresh mozzarella.

mushroom risotto in a white bowl

Creamy Mushroom and Sausage Risotto

This creamy mushroom risotto recipe is the perfect comfort meal and easy to make at home. Serve it up with a fresh green salad and dinner is complete!

polenta with ragu

Polenta

This classic polenta recipe can be served straight out of the pot as a creamy polenta recipe, or used to make fried or grilled polenta.

chicken pecorino from above

Chicken Pecorino

This chicken with Pecorino cream sauce checks all the boxes of rich, creamy, and cheesy, and the chicken and spinach adds a boost of protein and nutrients that makes this recipe both delicious and filling! 

instant pot chicken cacciatore

Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore

This Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore Recipe calls for chicken thighs, but can also be made with chicken breasts or a whole cut-up fryer.

cheesy pasta in an eggplant shell

Italian Stuffed Eggplant

Enjoy the flavor of your favorite Italian destination right in your own home kitchen with this stuffed eggplant recipe. 

cast iron pan with italian recipe for eggs

Tuscan Tomato and Egg Skillet

Ah, Tuscany! Hearty and filling especially for a weekend morning, This Tuscan tomato egg skillet is a standard fare in the Florence and Pisa regions of Italy.

caprese appetizer on a brown platter

Easy Caprese Skewers

Enjoy the flavors of the iconic Italian caprese salad in a simple caprese appetizer.

Mom’s Italian Meat Sauce Recipe

There’s nothing like an Italian red sauce for a comforting, filling meal. This Instant Pot meat sauce is a snap to make and excellent served over pasta, polenta, or in lasagna. 

fregola with clams - italian recipes

Sardinian Fregola with Clams

This Sardinian fregola with clams only uses a few ingredients but has such a wonderful flavor. It’s easy to make, comforting but not too heavy, and a delicious meal any night of the week.

vegetarian minestrone soup in a white bowl

Easy Homemade Minestrone Soup

This vegetarian minestrone soup recipe is easy to make at home from common pantry items and fresh produce. It’s hearty and delicious and full of flavor. 

stuffed squid on a blue plate

Sicilian Stuffed Squid

This Sicilian-style stuffed squid has a delicious chard, pine nut, raisin and cheese stuffing with just enough bite from the anchovy & capers. It’s easy to make and completely delicious.

smoked salmon carbonara on a white plate

Smoked Salmon Carbonara

Smoked salmon carbonara is an easy spin on traditional pasta carbonara.  Made the authentic way, without cream, this smoked salmon pasta dish is creamy, decadent, easy to make and on the table in under 20 minutes.

gnocchi in a white bowl

Ricotta Gnocchi

Melt-in-your-mouth, pillowy Italian ricotta gnocchi. You won’t believe how delicious and quick to make they are! You only need 4 ingredients + salt and pepper to make them.

focaccia on a cutting board

Rosemary Focaccia Bread

Focaccia is recognizable by the small holes poked throughout the dough. You will find many recipes and topping options in different region of Italy, but the one most commonly found outside of Italy is made with fresh Rosemary.

pasta on a white plate

Tagliatelle with Creamy Pistachio Sauce

This tagliatelle with creamy pistachio sauce takes only 5 ingredients and 10 minutes to make! The Sicilian classic, it’s easy and quick, plus it tastes absolutely dreamy.

brown drink in a stemmed glass with an orange curl

Boulevardier

Check out this bourbon spin on the classic negroni cocktail for a little apéritif!

unbaked chestnut cake

Tuscan Chestnut Cake

Castagnaccio is a Italian chestnut cake that is simple, but delicious! Flavored with aromatic chestnut flour, rosemary, olive oil, and raisins, you will love this unique dessert! 

Even MORE Italian recipes to serve for dinner

  • Italian wedding soup
  • Antipasto salad
  • Italian sausage tomato orzo soup
  • Porchetta (pork roast)
  • Italian meatballs in red wine sauce
  • Spinach and ricotta cannelloni
  • Pici Cacio e Pepe – Tuscan Pasta with Creamy Cheese and Black Pepper Sauce
  • Italian pasta carbonara
  • Pasta all gricia
  • Ricotta meatballs with spicy tomato sauce
  • Easy chicken marsala
  • Pasta e fagioli
  • Italian stromboli
  • 15-Minute puttanesca sauce
  • Bucatini cacio e pepe
  • Italian white bean soup
  • Spaghetti alle vongole
  • Pasta e piselli (pasta with peas)
  • Easy chicken marsala
  • Bolognese sauce
  • Easy cioppino seafood stew
  • Healthy fettuccine Alfredo
  • Italian wedding soup
  • Creamy Tuscan chicken skillet
  • Slow cooker Italian harvest soup

Recipes for Italian desserts

stack of 3 anise cookies for italian dessert

Anise cookies

A recipe for soft and chewy Italian anise cookies (a.k.a. Italian Christmas cookies) that have the classic licorice flavor everyone loves.

pastel colored italian cookies

Pasticcini di Mandorle

Flourless Soft Almond Cookies (Pasticcini di Mandorle) can be soft like marzipan or baked a few minutes more for a slightly crunchy chew. Either way, these wondrous cookies are a real Italian treat! Made with only 4 ingredients, these delicious cookies are naturally gluten free and ideal for Passover or Easter sweetness.

panna cotta in a tart shell

Limoncello Panna Cotta

This creamy, delicious limoncello panna cotta is the perfect make ahead dessert for your next party! This is the perfect springtime lemon recipe, with a kick!

white frosted cookies with sprinkles

Taralli Dolce Di Pasqua

Taralli Dolce Di Pasqua are Italian Easter cookies, lightly sweet with a crunchy sugar icing flavored with citrus.

clear glass mug with italian hot chocolate recipe

Italian Hot Chocolate Recipe

Learn how to make traditional Italian hot chocolate at home with just 5 ingredients and 10 minutes!

Even MORE Italian recipes to serve for dessert

  • Black and white biscotti
  • Anise pizzelles
  • Toasted almond anise biscotti
  • Zeppole – Italian doughnuts
  • Strawberry tiramisu
  • Homemade Italian cannoli
  • Chocolate panna cotta
  • Italian ricotta cheesecake
Thanks for sharing!

Filed Under: Main Course, Salads and Sides, World Food

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Hi, I’m Marie. I enjoy food. I mean, don’t we all? There’s nothing like a delicious meal full of flavor. When I cook at home, I use real food ingredients and keep it pretty simple. Except for certain special occasions, of course. Let's dig in →

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