Food
30 Italian Recipes To Make Dinnertime Bellissimo!
Italian food is one of the most beloved cuisines in the world, in part due to its decadence and flavor, but also because of its fresh and simple ingredients. If you’ve ever had a delicious meal at an Italian restaurant and fallen in love, you’ll be pleased to learn that you can make it just as good, if not better, from the comfort of your home.
Feeling inspired? Scroll down to discover 30 of our favorite Italian recipes that will make dinnertime ‘bellissimo!’
Mamma Mia Chicken
All the fundamental flavors of Italian cooking are present in this decadent and crowd-pleasing dish: fresh tomatoes, creamy mozzarella and florally basil. The dressings pair perfectly with tender chicken thighs and for a little kick, add one Calabrian chili for some heat.
Get the full recipe here.
Mafaldine With Spicy Cauliflower Ragù & Guanciale
Crispy cauliflower lightens this savory guanciale pasta recipe by adding a rustic flavor that pairs perfectly with fresh parmesan and pecorino cheese.
Get the full recipe here.
Steamed Vancouver Island Clams
These clams may be Canadian, but this seafood dish screams dinner along the Amalfi. Plump cherry tomatoes, fresh garlic and loads of Italian parsley truly bring the flavor of the clams to an invigorating level. Serve with a glass of Pinot Grigio and fresh focaccia for a stylish Italian dinner.
Get the full recipe here.
Roasted Broccolini
Served with tangy romesco sauce and chipped Pecorino Romano, this veggie side dish stands on its own.
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Insalata Invernale
Three very unique types of radicchio make up this tender and slightly bitter salad recipe. Balancing the bitterness is an Italian Barolo wine vinegar salad dressing that will have you reaching for seconds and thirds!
Get the fill recipe here.
Skillet Lasagna
This will quickly become your new favorite recipe for weeknights when you don’t feel much like cooking. It’s easy, delicious, and something the whole family can enjoy.
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Spaghetti Carbonara
Rich, velvety in texture and incredibly decadent, this carbonara recipe proves quality ingredients can make at-home meals taste like restaurant quality.
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Slow Roasted Tomatoes
These sweet, super-concentrated, honey-and chili-kissed tomatoes are a recommendation from Top Chef Canada judge Chris Nuttall-Smith.
Get the full recipe here.
Grape Tomato & Ricotta Cream Pizza
This Roman pizza recipe can be distinguished by its slightly crumbly crust. The airiness of the dough is matched with creamy whipped ricotta cheese and chopped arugula.
Get the full recipe here.
Sweet Potato Gnocchi
This colorful version of the classic Italian dish takes a sweet and savory route with a brown butter honey glaze. Pro tip: There’s never too much cheese.
Get the full recipe here.
Spinach & Ricotta Gnudi
Made with ricotta cheese instead of potato, these gnocchi-like dumplings are fluffy and easy to assemble. Gnudi can be baked ahead of time and warmed up in a covered baking dish just before serving.
Get the full recipe here.
Skillet Chicken Thighs With Cerignola Olives & Potatoes
If you’re new to Italian cooking, you’ll quickly find that olives and meat are a match made in heaven. Cerignola are large and meaty green olives with a mild flavor, making them perfect for a preparation like this.
Get the full recipe here.
Tuscan Kale, Chicken & Asiago Pasta Al Forno
While you could get away with drenching anything in Asiago and have it taste delicious, this recipe pairs the creamy sauce with two bunches of kale, tender chicken and a dash of lemon for something truly magical.
Get the full recipe here.
Creamy Polenta With Roasted Corn
This recipe combines three of the most delicious foods imaginable: creamy polenta, sweet Italian mascarpone and grilled summer corn. Serve it at your next barbecue as a side dish to toasty chicken or burgers.
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Burrata With Salty Things
Warning: after making this recipe once, you will find it hard to stop. Creamy burrata balances the saltiness of the toppings and makes a fantastic spread for ciabatta bread or crostini.
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Zucchini Pancakes
These moist, fluffy and savory pancakes are a traditional springtime treat in southern Italian homes. They’re light and airy but full of flavor!
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Italian Wedding Soup
Traditionally made in the Campania and Lazio regions, Italian wedding soup is named for its “marriage” of meat and leafy greens flavored with parsley and Parmesan.
Get the full recipe here.
Rigatoni Alla Bolognese
When it comes to Italian comfort food, pasta alla bolognese (pasta with meat sauce) takes the cake. While there are tomatoes in the recipe, a traditional bolognese features more of a brown sauce, rather than red.
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Southern Italian Winter Salad
Chilled citrus and finely sliced fennel make for a crisp, refreshing and beautiful salad that will brighten up any meal.
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Pappardelle With Venison, Mushrooms & Carrots
Tender venison and earthy mushrooms comes together in this unique, hearty and comforting pasta dish.
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Baked Rigatoni With Sausage & Ricotta
Simple marinara sauce, browned sausage and dollops of ricotta combine to create this deconstructed lasagna.
Get the full recipe here.
Orecchiette With Tuna, White Beans & Radicchio
This garden-style pasta is mostly made using pantry ingredients and is an easy recipe to whip up when you’re in a rush. Don’t forget to sprinkle the chili flakes to bring it all together.
Get the full recipe here.
Pizza With Pesto & Fresh Mozzarella
This simple pizza recipe is the answer to hungry kids and a busy schedule. Fresh pesto and mozzarella are the perfect pairing, and will keep this dish in your roster for weeknight meals to come.
Get the full recipe here.
Pesto Genovese
Every Italian nonna will tell you that their pesto sauce is best. While it might not be like nonna’s, this smooth and creamy pesto packs a punch. It’s a staple recipe to have for topping sandwiches, burrata, pizzas and chicken.
Get the full recipe here.
Roman-Style Puttanesca Pizza
The tangy flavor of a puttanesca sauce is unlike any other Italian dish. In this recipe, the zesty and salty components of a puttanesca are deconstructed as pizza toppings on a crisp, Roman crust.
Get the full recipe here.
Polenta With Butternut Squash, Swiss Chard & Mascarpone
It’s traditional in Italy to present polenta on a family-style platter and offer everyone a spoon to dig in. This recipe adds a tender vegetable medley for a bit of dynamic flavor.
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Lasagna Rolls
There are so many different ways to enjoy the unmatched comfort of fresh lasagna. This take finds inspiration from cannelloni, and serves baked rolls topped with a creamy cheese blend.
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Penne alla Boscaiola
Every bite of this dish is an absolute delight. Roasted chicken and crispy bacon pair with caramelized mushrooms and onions for an exquisite flavor profile.
Get the full recipe here.
Planta’s Zucchini Spaghetti
Not quite a pasta dish, not quite a salad. This raw zucchini recipe is a light alternative to carb-heavy spaghetti and is topped with delicious charred tomato salsa and toasty pumpkin parmesan.
Get the full recipe here.
Buffalo Mozzarella & Pickled Fennel
Italian cooking is rooted in simplicity and pleasure. So, when you’re craving something delicious easy, opt for fresh buffalo mozzarella with this light fennel salad and roasted tomatoes.