David Rocco’s Top 5 Italian Recipes

For more than 15 years, David Rocco’s TV shows — now airing in over 150 countries — have celebrated his family, his travels in Italy and his joyful approach to food.

All you need, he says, is simple ingredients, lots of wine, the perfect espresso and a dose of the best Italian clichés. Find his best recipes below.

Parmigiano Cream Crostini

“My friend Nicola Bertinelli moved back to Parma to take over his father’s dairy farm. Now, he’s a cheesemaker with a café, restaurant, bar and nightclub. We have this aperitivo all the time with him, with a glass of prosecco or lambrusco.”

Get the recipe here.

Meatballs With Tomato Sauce

“I like to think that meatballs reflect the person who’s making them. So I make them based on how I’m feeling and the ingredients on hand. Sometimes you want nice heavy comfort food. In the summer, you make them less heavy with cherry tomatoes and a lighter sauce.”

Get the recipe here.

My Cauliflower Puttanesca Pasta

“My mom made this for me, and now I make it in different versions. It’s an easy one-pot meal for a Sunday afternoon. Let it rest for about 20 minutes before serving so the flavors meld together. It doesn’t need to be piping hot.”

Get the recipe here.

Lasagna

“You can whip up lasagna in 15 minutes if you have your ragù ready and your cheese shredded. You can even use dried pasta sheets. Just add extra sauce and make sure it’s a little runny. The liquid will soak into the pasta.”

Get the recipe here.

Patrizia's No-Bake Cheesecake

“This recipe is from my friend Patrizia in Tuscany. Her husband is a cheese farmer, so she has fresh ricotta and yogurt on hand. It’s really simple and delicious, just whip it up and put it in the fridge to set.”

Get the recipe here.