10+ Italian Recipes You’ll Love to Cook and Share

Italian recipes bring the rich flavors and traditions of Italy into your kitchen. Whether you enjoy simple pasta dishes or hearty main courses, cooking Italian food lets you explore a variety of tastes and ingredients.

Italian cooking is known for its fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and easy-to-follow recipes.

When you try Italian recipes, you’ll find dishes for every meal and occasion. From light appetizers to comforting desserts, there’s something for every taste and skill level.

You don’t need to be a chef to make great Italian food. It’s all about enjoying the process and the delicious results.

1) Classic Spaghetti Carbonara

Spaghetti Carbonara is a simple Italian dish you can make quickly. It uses just a few basic ingredients but tastes rich and creamy without any cream.

Mix hot pasta with eggs, cheese, and crispy cured meat. Use guanciale or pancetta for a salty crunch.

Pecorino Romano cheese adds a sharp, salty flavor. Freshly cracked black pepper gives just the right amount of spice.

The heat from the pasta cooks the eggs into a silky sauce. This dish comes together in about 15 minutes.

It’s perfect when you want a tasty meal without much fuss.

Ingredients

• 11 oz (300g) spaghetti
• 7 oz (200g) guanciale or pancetta
• 4 large eggs
• 3 oz (90g) Pecorino Romano cheese, grated
• Black pepper, freshly cracked

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook spaghetti in salted boiling water until al dente.
2. Fry guanciale in a pan until crispy.
3. Beat eggs with grated Pecorino and black pepper.
4. Drain pasta, reserve some cooking water.
5. Mix hot pasta with guanciale and remove from heat.
6. Quickly stir in egg mixture, adding pasta water to reach creamy sauce.
7. Serve immediately with extra cheese and pepper.

You can find detailed tips on making this dish at RecipeTin Eats.

2) Marinara Sauce from Scratch

Making marinara sauce from scratch is simple and fresh. Start with ripe tomatoes, garlic, and herbs like oregano and basil.

These ingredients create a sauce full of bright, natural flavors. You only need a few steps and some patience while the sauce simmers.

Cooking slowly lets the flavors blend nicely. The sauce works great for pasta, pizza, or as a dipping sauce.

Use fresh or canned whole peeled tomatoes. Add a splash of white wine for extra flavor, but that’s optional.

Enjoy the homemade touch in your dishes.

Ingredients

• 28 oz (800 g) whole peeled tomatoes
• 4-5 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 tsp dried oregano or 1 bunch fresh
• Fresh basil leaves, a handful
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup white wine (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and onion, cook until soft.
3. Pour in tomatoes and crush them with a spoon.
4. Add oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and white wine if using.
5. Simmer gently for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.

For more details, check out this Authentic Italian Marinara Sauce Recipe.

3) Creamy Risotto alla Milanese

Risotto alla Milanese is a classic Italian dish with a rich, creamy texture and bright saffron flavor. Cook Arborio rice slowly, adding hot stock little by little.

This helps the rice release starch, making the risotto thick and smooth. Saffron threads give the risotto its golden color and a delicate aroma.

Use good quality stock, like beef or chicken, for better flavor. Stir often and add stock gradually for the best creaminess.

Finish with butter and Parmesan cheese for a silky finish.

Ingredients

• 1 ¾ cups Arborio rice
• 1 ½ quarts beef stock (hot)
• 3 tablespoons beef marrow or unsalted butter
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• ½ teaspoon saffron threads
• ½ cup unsalted butter (divided)
• Parmesan cheese (grated)
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Warm the stock in a pot and keep it hot on low heat.
2. Melt butter or marrow in a pan, saute onion until soft.
3. Add rice and toast for 1-2 minutes.
4. Pour in a ladle of hot stock, stirring until absorbed.
5. Continue adding stock ladle by ladle, stirring constantly for 18-20 minutes.
6. Add saffron dissolved in a bit of warm stock halfway through cooking.
7. When rice is creamy and tender, stir in remaining butter and Parmesan.
8. Season with salt and serve immediately.

For a detailed risotto technique, see this Risotto alla Milanese recipe.

4) Homemade Margherita Pizza

Making a Margherita pizza at home is simple and rewarding. Start with a thin crust dough, topped with fresh tomato sauce, slices of mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil leaves.

The colors represent the Italian flag: red, white, and green. Bake the pizza in a hot oven to get a crispy crust and melted cheese.

A standard oven works fine, so you don’t need special equipment. Fresh ingredients make all the difference.

You can adjust the toppings to your liking, but keeping it simple is the key. Homemade pizza lets you enjoy a classic Italian dish anytime.

Ingredients

• Pizza dough (flour, water, yeast, salt)
• Tomato sauce
• Fresh mozzarella cheese
• Fresh basil leaves
• Olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C).
2. Roll out the dough on a floured surface.
3. Spread tomato sauce evenly over the dough.
4. Add slices of mozzarella and basil leaves.
5. Drizzle olive oil on top.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes until crust is golden and cheese bubbles.

5) Chicken Parmesan

Chicken Parmesan is a popular Italian-American dish. Start with chicken breasts pounded thin so they cook evenly and stay tender.

Bread the chicken using flour, egg wash, and breadcrumbs. Pan-fry it until the outside is crispy and golden brown.

Add tomato sauce and top the chicken with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Bake it until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

This dish pairs well with pasta or a simple salad.

Ingredients

• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs or panko
• 1 ½ cups tomato sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Olive oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Pound chicken breasts to even thickness.
3. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
4. Dredge each chicken breast in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs.
5. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
6. Fry chicken until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side.
7. Place chicken in a baking dish.
8. Spoon tomato sauce over each piece.
9. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan on top.
10. Bake for 20 minutes until cheese melts and bubbles.

6) Tiramisu Dessert

Tiramisu is a classic Italian dessert with a creamy texture and coffee flavor. Soak ladyfingers in espresso and layer them with a smooth mascarpone mixture.

Dust cocoa powder on top for a nice finish. This dessert doesn’t require baking, so it’s quick and easy to prepare.

Chill it in the fridge to let the flavors blend before serving. You can use raw eggs or an egg-free mascarpone mix.

This treat is perfect for special occasions or anytime you want a sweet coffee-flavored dessert.

Ingredients:

• Ladyfingers
• Strong espresso coffee
• Mascarpone cheese
• Eggs (or omit for egg-free version)
• Sugar
• Cocoa powder

Cooking Instructions:

1. Brew strong espresso and let it cool.
2. Whisk egg yolks with sugar until creamy.
3. Fold mascarpone into the egg mixture.
4. Dip ladyfingers briefly into espresso and layer in a dish.
5. Spread mascarpone mixture over the ladyfingers.
6. Repeat layers, ending with mascarpone.
7. Dust cocoa powder on top.
8. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.

For full details, check this classic Italian Tiramisu recipe.

7) Pasta Puttanesca

Pasta Puttanesca is a flavorful Italian dish that uses simple pantry ingredients. It has a bold taste from tomatoes, olives, capers, garlic, and anchovies.

This sauce is quick to make and perfect for a fast, tasty meal. Toss the sauce with spaghetti or any pasta you like.

Salty olives and sharp capers balance the sweetness of the tomatoes. Anchovies melt into the sauce, giving it a deep umami flavor without tasting fishy.

Cooking it takes less than 30 minutes, so it’s ideal for busy nights.

Ingredients

• Spaghetti (or any pasta)
• Canned crushed tomatoes
• Garlic cloves
• Canned anchovies
• Black olives
• Capers
• Olive oil
• Red pepper flakes (optional)
• Fresh parsley (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add chopped garlic and anchovies; cook until anchovies dissolve.
3. Stir in crushed tomatoes, olives, capers, and red pepper flakes.
4. Simmer sauce for 10-15 minutes.
5. Cook pasta according to package directions.
6. Drain pasta and toss with the sauce.
7. Garnish with parsley and serve.

You can find more details about Pasta Puttanesca at The Mediterranean Dish.

8) Osso Buco with Gremolata

Osso Buco is a classic Italian dish made from veal shanks. You cook the meat slowly with vegetables, wine, and broth until it becomes very tender.

The long, slow cooking creates rich flavors and makes the meat easy to pull apart. Before serving, you add gremolata, a fresh garnish made from parsley, lemon zest, and garlic.

Gremolata adds a bright, zesty finish that balances the rich braised meat. You can serve Osso Buco with creamy polenta or risotto.

It’s a comforting meal for family dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

• Veal shanks
• Flour
• Olive oil
• Butter
• Carrots, celery, onion
• Garlic
• White wine
• Beef or chicken broth
• Tomatoes
• Fresh parsley
• Lemon zest

Cooking Instructions

1. Dredge veal shanks in flour and brown them in butter and oil.
2. Sauté chopped vegetables until they soften.
3. Add garlic, tomatoes, and wine. Simmer to reduce.
4. Pour in broth, cover, and braise in the oven at 325°F (163°C) for about 2 hours.
5. Mix parsley, lemon zest, and garlic to make gremolata.
6. Serve Osso Buco with gremolata sprinkled on top.

Learn more about making Osso Buco with Gremolata at this Italian recipe site.

9) Eggplant Parmesan

Eggplant Parmesan is a classic Italian dish with layers of tender eggplant, tomato sauce, and melted cheese. Traditionally, you fry the eggplant slices until golden, but you can also roast them for a lighter version.

Layer the cooked eggplant with marinara sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. Bake it until the top is bubbly and golden.

This dish makes a great main course and pairs well with pasta or a fresh salad. Roasting the eggplant instead of breading and frying works well if you want a gluten-free option.

The flavors come together beautifully when baked. You get a warm, comforting meal.

Ingredients

• 2 medium eggplants
• 3 cups tomato sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup flour (optional, for breading)
• 2 eggs (optional, for breading)
• Olive oil
• Fresh basil or oregano (optional)
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Slice the eggplant into 1/4-inch thick rounds.
3. If frying, dip slices in flour, then beaten egg, and fry them in olive oil until golden. Or roast slices with a bit of olive oil until soft.
4. Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce in a baking dish.
5. Layer eggplant slices, sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
6. Repeat layers until you use all the ingredients.
7. Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes until the sauce bubbles and the cheese turns golden.
8. Let it cool for 5 minutes before serving.

10) Panzerotti (Fried Tomato and Mozzarella Pockets)

Panzerotti are small, deep-fried pockets made from pizza dough. Inside, you’ll find melted mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce.

They are crispy outside and soft inside. People enjoy them as a snack or appetizer.

To make Panzerotti, fill the dough with fresh mozzarella and a simple tomato purée. Fold and seal the edges.

Fry them until golden brown. Serve them hot for gooey cheese and rich tomato flavor.

These pockets come from Italy. You can easily make them at home.

Enjoy them with a side of marinara sauce or eat them plain.

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, grated
• ½ cup tomato purée or passata
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• Pizza dough (enough for 6-8 pockets)
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions:

1. Mix mozzarella, tomato purée, oregano, and salt in a bowl.
2. Roll out dough and cut into circles.
3. Place a spoonful of filling in the center of each circle.
4. Fold dough over to create a half-moon shape. Seal the edges tightly.
5. Heat oil to 350°F (175°C).
6. Fry pockets in oil until golden, about 3-4 minutes per side.
7. Remove and drain on paper towels. Serve hot.

Learn more about this recipe here.