Name: 85+ BEST Italian Foods
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 8 ounces penne pasta; 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter; 3 cloves garlic (minced); 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup white wine (or chicken broth); 1 cup heavy cream; 1/4 cup julienned sun dried tomatoes in olive oil (drained); ½ cup mozzarella cheese (shredded); 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan; 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more, to taste); Small handful fresh basil chopped finely; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

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Wondering what the best Italian foods are? There are so many great options! From pasta, to pizza, risotto, and more! Here are 85+ of the BEST Italian recipes to try at home!

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Italian food is comfort food at its finest!

Whether you’re craving a rich bowl of risotto, a saucy plate of pasta, or a delicious Italian chicken dish like Chicken Piccata or Chicken Marsala, you’ll find a tasty recipe here.

Below are some classic Italian dessert recipes that you may or may not have tried.

Some of these, like my Nana’s Sunday Gravy and Lasagna with Bechamel, are traditional Italian recipes, while others, like these Pasta Chips and Toasted Ravioli, are more new-school recipes with an Italian-twist. But the one thing they all have in common is that they’re super delicious and easy to prepare!

Find something everyone will love with these 85+ easy Italian recipes. Buon appetito!

PS – Don’t forget about these Italian appetizers, Italian salads, classic Italian soups, Italian sides and the BEST Italian desserts too! And toast to the occasion with one of these Italian cocktails.

Italian Appetizers

Start off your Italian meal with one of these tasty appetizers!

Side view of Avocado bites wrapped in prosciutto on wood cutting board.

Prosciutto Wrapped Avocado Bites are the perfect party appetizer. They’re an easy to make, no-bake finger food and come together in under 10 minutes!

Prosciutto Wrapped Avocado Bites

This baked goat cheese appetizer is super simple to throw together at the last minute with just 3 ingredients! Chevre is baked in marinara sauce until hot and bubbly – Perfect for spreading on crostini.

Baked Goat Cheese

Grana padano wrapped in prosciutto and topped with fig jam.

These bites of Prosciutto Wrapped Grana Padano with Fig Preserves are the perfect party snack. This easy to make, no-bake finger food comes together in under 10-minutes.

Prosciutto Wrapped Grana Padano

Pasta Chips are the latest TikTok food trend. Made with cooked pasta that's coated with parmesan, garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Then air fried (or baked in the oven) until crispy, crunchy & delicious!

Pasta Chips

Overhead shot of small bowl of tapenade on grey plate with crostini scattered about.

This easy Olive Spread recipe comes together in just 10 minutes in your food processor or blender. It's amazing as an appetizer for parties, served as part of a charcuterie board, or used as a sandwich spread.

Olive Spread

Sausage Bites are simmered in white wine & served with a creamy, spicy mustard dipping sauce. They’re a delicious party appetizer that cooks up quick.

Sausage Bites

Toasted Ravioli. Coated in a cheesy, breadcrumb mixture and then air fried until crispy and delicious! Serve this yummy appetizer with marinara sauce or alfredo sauce and enjoy!

Toasted Ravioli

These Stuffed Artichoke Hearts take all the work out of actually stuffing an artichoke. Canned artichoke hearts are arranged in a dish and topped with a “stuffing” of breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and garlic.

Stuffed Artichoke Hearts

crostini lasagna appetizer on grey plate

These Lasagna Crostini are a perfect make ahead party appetizer. The Italian meat sauce, creamy ricotta and melty mozzarella cheese are irresistible.

Lasagna Crostini

Italian Salads

These zesty Italian salads are the perfect companion to rich, saucy dishes.

This simple Italian Chopped Salad dresses fresh veggies, salami, mozzarella & chickpeas in a delicious homemade Italian dressing.

Italian Chopped Salad

This Kale Caesar Salad is topped with crispy homemade croutons and parmesan cheese. Massaging the creamy garlic dressing into the kale makes it extra tender and delicious.

Kale Caesar Salad

This Arugula Salad recipe with red wine vinaigrette is my go-to green salad. The arugula has a peppery bite to it which pairs wonderfully with the acid in the vinaigrette. It’s the perfect salad for pairing with rich dishes.

Arugula Salad

This Cherry Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemons is the perfect side dish. Sweet tomatoes combine with a tangy vinaigrette and delicious roasted lemons.

Cherry Tomato Salad

Pasta salad in bowl on wooden cutting board next to bowl of pepper flakes.

This Zucchini Pasta Salad recipe may be the best I've tried to date! Packed with sauteed zucchini, loads of parmesan cheese, fresh dill and crunchy walnuts.

Zucchini Pasta Salad

This fresh and tangy Peach Caprese Salad features sweet peaches, creamy burrata cheese, and juicy tomatoes. A perfect blend of summery flavors, this simple yet delicious salad is the ideal late summer side dish!

Peach Caprese Salad

Fennel salad with chickpeas in white bowl.

This Fennel and Chickpea Salad is tossed in a light citrus vinaigrette & topped with parmesan. It’s the perfect make-ahead salad for potlucks or lunches.

Fennel and Chickpea Salad

This Tomato Cucumber Salad features fresh cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and crisp red onion. Dressed in a tangy homemade red wine vinaigrette, every bite is bursting with refreshing Mediterranean flavors!

Tomato Cucumber Salad

Prepared radicchio salad in grey bowl with serving utensils.

This delicious Italian Radicchio Salad is dressed in a creamy lemon-vinaigrette and tossed with buttery calvestrano olives, tasty breadcrumbs and nutty parmesan cheese. And, a special tip ensures that your radicchio won't be bitter!

Italian Radicchio Salad

Overhead shot of farro salad in large black bowl with spoon.

This Farro Salad with Basil & Lemon Tahini Dressing is a delicious salad that can be made ahead of time, making it perfect for busy workday lunches or potlucks.

Farro Salad with Basil & Lemon Tahini Dressing

Italian Side Dishes

These Italian side dishes can complete any meal.

Prepared pesto parmesan couscous in serving bowl topped with basil and pine nuts.

This Pesto Couscous Recipe combines fluffy and chewy Israeli couscous with basil pesto to give you an easy yet sophisticated side dish or light main course. You’ll love its addictive Italian flavors!

Pesto Couscous

These Italian White Beans are cooked low and slow with a bit of sage and garlic, resulting in plump, yet firm beans that are delicious dressed with a bit of olive oil or served on top of crostini.

Italian White Beans

You can serve Sauteed Zucchini and Squash with practically anything! It’s a simple side dish that showcases sliced and seared summer squash and savory Italian flavors.

Sauteed Zucchini

Add a healthy boost of nutrients to your dinner with this easy Sauteed Spinach. Baby spinach is added to a skillet along with garlic and olive oil, then sauteed gently to create a simple side dish that pairs with any meal!

Sauteed Spinach

Instant Pot Artichokes are quick and easy to make with the help of your electric pressure cooker. Plus, this recipe gives them SO much flavor!

Instant Pot Artichokes

Italian Soups

These tasty Italian soups can be eaten as a starter, or pair them with some garlic bread or foccacia and a salad (from the list above) for a full meal.

This Italian Wedding Soup marries delicious Italian flavors together in one pot! Made with homemade meatballs, vegetables, kale, and pasta, this classic soup is easy to make in less than an hour on the stove top.

Italian Wedding Soup

Overhead close up of bowl of minestrone on wood background.

Instant Pot Minestrone Soup cooks in just 5 minutes! Loaded with veggies, beans, and delicious pasta, then topped with lots of nutty parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. Serve it with crostini for dipping into that delicious broth.

Instant Pot Minestrone Soup

Tortellini en Brodo is an incredibly simple yet super satisfying appetizer made by simmering cheese-filled tortellini in rich chicken broth. The recipe puts a semi-homemade spin on a traditional Italian soup.

Tortellini en Brodo

Overhead close up of bowl of zuppa toscana.

Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana (Olive Garden Copycat) tastes just like the original, but it’s made super quick and easy with the help of your electric pressure cooker. Hearty, creamy & delicious, it will quickly become your favorite instant pot soup recipe.

Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana

Tomato Orange Soup is the creamiest tomato soup recipe you will find. Plus, it's got a great tang for the orange juice. It's the perfect winter soup for chilly days.

This Tomato Bisque Soup is the richest, creamiest tomato soup you've ever tried, with a splash of fresh orange juice for a bit of extra tang! Inspired by Elephant's Deli in Portland, Oregon.

Tomato Bisque Soup

This Creamy Italian Quinoa Soup is not only amazingly delicious, but it’s also packed with protein, fiber and essential vitamins and antioxidants.

Creamy Italian Quinoa Soup

Instant Pot Lasagna Soup tastes just like lasagna without all the work. Your electric pressure cooker makes it super simple.

Instant Pot Lasagna Soup

Gnocchi

Everyone loves pillowy gnocchi! Be sure to check out these 15+ sauces for gnocchi and side dishes for gnocchi too!

Potato Gnocchi is fun & easy to make at home! This easy gnocchi recipe is made with just 4-ingredients! It's so pillow-y and delicious, you won't go back to store-bought gnocchi. Toss it with Sunday gravy, pesto, or browned butter & sage.

Potato Gnocchi

OVerhead shot of two bowls of baked gnocchi next to bottle of wine.

Cheesy Baked Pumpkin Gnocchi with Kale. Made with gruyere, mozzarella and parmesan, this dish is a cheese lovers dream. And the addition of seasonal pumpkin & kale makes it perfect for the Fall.

Cheesy Baked Pumpkin Gnocchi

This Blue Cheese Gnocchi with Frizzled Prosciutto is pure decadence. A rich blue cheese sauce coats the gnocchi which is tossed with a bit of fresh spinach and topped with some crispy prosciutto.

Blue Cheese Gnocchi

Learn how to make sweet potato gnocchi with this easy recipe. You only need 5-ingredients to make them! Dressed up with a browned butter sage sauce that’s packed with flavor.

Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Pasta

Pasta is a quintessential Italian staple. Be sure to check out these easy sides for pasta and the best pasta wine pairings too!

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Pasta – a super easy pasta dish with the most delicious, creamy sun-dried tomato sauce loaded with mozzarella & parmesan cheese. This vegetarian dinner will be on your dinner table in 20 minutes!

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Pasta

This show-stopping Lasagna with Bechamel Sauce is layered with a slow-simmered meat sauce and homemade bechamel sauce. It’s a creamy, close-to-authentic Italian lasagna you’ll never forget!

Lasagna with Bechamel Sauce

BLT Pasta is a quick and easy weeknight dinner that’s budget friendly too!

BLT Pasta

This 3-cheese stuffed manicotti recipe is made extra easy by using no boil lasagna noodles instead of pasta tubes. That means no need for a piping bag to fill them, and they come together so quickly. They’ll be ready to bake in just 10 minutes!

Manicotti

Overhead shot of creamy tortellini in bowl topped with burrata cheese.

You won’t believe how easy it is to make this indulgent and delicious Creamy Tomato Tortellini (with Burrata Cheese)! A marinara and garlicky cream sauce are tossed with cheese tortellini in one pan and topped with burrata. It’s the ultimate comfort food!

Creamy Tomato Tortellini

This Pasta Alla Vodka recipe will be a definite keeper. Pasta is tossed in a tomato vodka sauce that’s deliciously creamy and kicked up with a sprinkling of red pepper flakes.

Pasta Alla Vodka

Shrimp Fra Diavolo features sautéed shrimp tossed in a spicy tomato sauce spiked with white wine. It's a quick & easy delicious pasta recipe perfect for the weeknight dinner table.

Shrimp Fra Diavolo

This Authentic Italian Sunday Gravy is what I grew up eating every week. Nana’s tomato meat sauce holds a fond place in my heart, and her recipe lives on to this day in my recipe box. It’s my most requested recipe and today I’m sharing it with you.

Authentic Italian Sunday Gravy

Overhead close up shot of feta pasta in shallow white bowl.

This Ground Lamb Pasta with feta, cherry tomatoes & calabrian chiles is the tastiest way to recreate the baked feta TikTok craze that's been sweeping the internet. It's creamy, tangy and so super delicious!

Ground Lamb Pasta

Overhead shot of two bowls of garlic and oil pasta next to small bowls of chili flakes and parmesan.

Garlic and Oil Pasta (or Spaghetti Aglio e Olio) is a traditional Italian recipe that comes together in under 20 minutes. It’s made with a short list of flavorful ingredients, ensuring that it’s always simple, quick, and tasty.

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

This Spaghetti alla Nerano recipe is a rich and creamy pasta made with fried zucchini and parmesan cheese. It’s a restaurant-worthy dish with gourmet flavors, but comes together in minutes!

Spaghetti alla Nerano

top shot of spaghetti noodles and tomato sauce in white bowl

Instant Pot Spaghetti is an easy and delicious weeknight meal the whole family will love! Made with simple ingredients, this comfortingly classic spaghetti recipe is ready in 30 minutes!

Instant Pot Spaghetti

Bowl of goat cheese pasta tossed with kale pesto and topped with dollops of goat cheese.

Creamy Goat Cheese Pasta will be on your table in 20 minutes! Swirled with a dreamy, lemony-kale pesto. It’s basically heaven in a bowl.

Creamy Goat Cheese Pasta

Pesto Rosso in small white bowl with spoon.

Sun Dried Tomato Pesto (Pesto Rosso) is delicious tossed with pasta or gnocchi, spread on crostini, or dolloped on chicken, steak or pork. Made with just a handful of simple ingredients in 5 minutes!

Sun Dried Tomato Pesto

Overhead close up of bowl of pasta tossed with broccoli pesto.

This Broccoli Walnut Pesto is a healthy-ish way to indulge in a big bowl of pasta. This homemade broccoli pesto with fresh basil, parmesan cheese, garlic, olive oil and lemon is rich, creamy and delicious. Swirl it together with your favorite pasta and top it with some extra parmesan and walnuts for a delicious nutty flavor & crunch.

Broccoli Walnut Pesto

Hands holding bowl of pasta topped with slow cooker bolognese.

This Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce would make my Nana Lamancuso proud. It’s silky and luscious with super tender meat and so much flavor. Crockpot bolognese is where it’s at!

Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce

Overhead close up of bowl of fennel pasta topped with ricotta and breadcrumbs.

This Roasted Fennel Pasta recipe features fresh linguini tossed in a light lemon sauce with roasted fennel. It's topped with dollop of ricotta cheese for extra richness.

Roasted Fennel Pasta

This White Bolognese Sauce recipe combines beef & Italian sausage in this silky, rich & delicately spiced sauce that's perfect for topping a bowl of pasta!

White Bolognese Sauce

This recipe for Squid Ink Pasta with Shrimp & Cherry Tomatoes only looks fancy. It’s easy to make in under 30 minutes and the flavor is delicious!

Squid Ink Pasta

This Butter Roasted Tomato Sauce comes together easily, with no chopping or constant stove monitoring. Just pop it in the oven and let the roasting process intensify the flavor of canned tomatoes.

Butter Roasted Tomato Sauce

This Lentil Bolognese Sauce can be made in no time with the help of your Instant Pot.

Lentil Bolognese Sauce

Bowl of pea and bacon pasta on white counter.

This Pasta with Peas and Bacon comes together in just 20 minutes! It's a delicious (and budget friendly) dinner that's perfect for any night of the week.

Pasta with Peas and Bacon

This creamy lobster ravioli sauce recipe takes less than 30 minutes to make and will bring any packaged or homemade lobster ravioli to life with its fresh flavor and creamy rich texture.

Lobster Ravioli

Brussel Sprout Pasta will be ready in just 30 minutes! Shaved brussels sprouts are tossed with pasta & a delicious mustard & parmesan cheese sauce.

Brussel Sprout Pasta

This easy Lemon Pasta is deliciously tangy and creamy, plus it comes together in under 15 minutes!

Lemon Pasta

Overhead shot of bowl of cooked tomato couscous with spoon.

Israeli couscous with tomatoes is an amazing side dish full of flavor. Toasted pearl couscous is tossed with a burst tomato sauce and finished with a squeeze of lime for a delightful tang. Yum!

Israeli Couscous with Tomatoes

Close up of spicy pasta in skillet with serving spoon.

This quick and easy Creamy Spicy Pasta recipe tosses your favorite pasta in a rich and smoky Cajun-inspired cream sauce. It comes together in less than 30 minutes, making it easy to whip up a batch whenever you’re craving a comforting pasta dinner with a kick!

Creamy Spicy Pasta

Risottos

Creamy, comforting, risotto. Here’s some suggestions on what to serve with risotto too!

This Mushroom Risotto is rich, creamy and totally decadent.

Mushroom Risotto

This always rich and warming Butternut Squash Risotto is the perfect meal for fall. Roasted squash, creamy and tender rice, and fresh sage come together to form dreamy and heavenly flavors in every bite.

Butternut Squash Risotto

Prepared Chicken risotto in grey serving bowl with spoon.

Creamy Chicken Risotto is a crowd-pleasing meal full of cozy and comforting flavors. It’s topped with crispy pan-fried chicken and elevated with lemon and mascarpone cheese. Perfect for weeknights and dinner parties!

Creamy Chicken Risotto

This Shrimp Risotto has a rich seafood flavor and is deliciously creamy. It’s easy to make at home and perfect for an elegant dinner.

Shrimp Risotto

This creamy risotto caprese features all the flavors of your favorite caprese salad. Fresh tomatoes, basil and melty mozzarella cheese combine with the creamy risotto. Finished off with a balsamic glaze drizzle.

Caprese Risotto

Indulge in this luxurious Lemon Risotto with Mascarpone. Rich, creamy, and tangy – Its bright flavor makes a perfect vegetarian entrée or a delicious side dish.

Lemon Risotto

Pea risotto in black bowl with serving spoon.

This Sweet Pea Risotto with Prosciutto, Mascarpone and Mint is rich, creamy and totally decadent.

Sweet Pea Risotto

This Roasted Beet Risotto with Goat Cheese is a delicious dish that's perfect for Valentine's Day but craveable every day of the year!

Beet Risotto

This Pumpkin Risotto with Goat Cheese and Cranberries is a perfect fall comfort food. It’s rich and creamy and perfect for an elegant weeknight meal. Or try serving this to your vegetarian guests at Thanksgiving.

Pumpkin Risotto

Italian Main Dishes

This 30 Minute Easy Pork Piccata makes a quick and easy weeknight dinner, but it’s also elegant enough for a dinner party at home. The lemon, garlic, butter sauce will have you licking your plate every time!

Pork Piccata

30 Minute Easy Chicken Marsala is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, but it’s also elegant enough to serve at a dinner party. The Marsala wine, bacon, butter sauce will have you licking your plate!

Chicken Marsala

This 30-Minute Easy Chicken Piccata makes a quick and easy weeknight dinner, but it’s also elegant enough for a dinner party at home. The lemon, garlic, butter sauce will have you licking your plate!

Chicken Piccata

This Cioppino (Italian Seafood Stew) recipe is made with freshly cooked seafood in a bright and aromatic tomato-wine base. It’s easy to prepare ahead of time and can be ready to eat in just 1 hour.

Cioppino

Overhead close up of bowl with polenta and osso buco.

This Slow Cooker Osso Buco is super flavorful and tender. Serve it over noodles or mashed potatoes for the most delicious and amazing dinner.

Slow Cooker Osso Buco

Mushroom Parmesan with Garlicky Breadcrumbs is a must-try for Meatless Monday. Portobello mushrooms are stuffed with marinara and mozzarella cheese before being roasted in the oven with grape tomatoes. Top each mushroom with a scoop of garlicky breadcrumbs for an exceptional crunch!

Mushroom Parmesan

This French Bread Pizza recipe has layers of flavor-packed toppings baked onto soft French bread. Topped with 3-cheeses, pepperoni & fresh herbs. It's an easy-to-love dinner, game day snack, or savory appetizer.

French Bread Pizza

This easy recipe for Shrimp Piccata is delicious. Shrimp tossed in a lemon-garlic, butter sauce flecked with capers. Made in just 30-minutes!

Shrimp Piccata

Overhead closeup of spinach and artichoke orzo in skillet topped with chicken.

This one pan Chicken Artichoke Orzo takes 30 minutes to cook in one skillet and never skimps on flavor. You’ll love the layers of pan-seared chicken breasts, orzo pasta, spinach, and artichokes in every bite!

Chicken Artichoke Orzo

Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan is the vegetarian version of a classic Italian dish. Crispy breaded eggplant is quickly cooked in the air fryer before being topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella. It’s crispy, cheesy, and delicious over pasta or rice!

Eggplant Parmesan

Overhead shot of zucchini lasagna rolls in skillet.

These Vegetarian Zucchini Lasagna Rolls are low-carb and gluten-free yet still sinfully delicious with loads of melty cheese and plenty of fresh herbs. Made easy using store-bought tomato sauce.

Vegetarian Zucchini Lasagna Rolls

Close up of mussels in marinara sauce served over spaghetti with lemon wedges.

Mussels in marinara sauce is a quick & easy seafood recipe to make at home. Serve them with crusty bread as an appetizer, or over pasta as an entree. Spice them up with red pepper flakes to make Mussels Fra Diavolo.

Mussels Marinara

Italian Desserts

Here’s just a sprinkling of Italian dessert recipes. Be sure to check out my full collection of 25+ Traditional Italian Desserts too!

Coffee Mousse is a decadent, airy dessert flavored with coffee & cocoa. Made with whipped cream & ricotta cheese to make it creamy without gelatin.

Coffee Mousse

This Butterscotch Budino with Salted Caramel is like a pudding cup for grown ups. It's a rich and creamy indulgent treat that's not overly sweet.

Butterscotch Budino

This Strawberry Ricotta Cake is the most delicious Italian-inspired dessert. The rich ricotta provides the cake with perfect moisture and density and the strawberries make the flavor pop. It’s almost like a combination between a cake and a cheesecake.

Strawberry Ricotta Cake

Italian Cocktails

Try one of these Italian cocktails to start off or finish your meal.

This Espresso Martini is a delicious pre- or post-dinner pick me up cocktail. An easy cocktail recipe, made with just 4-ingredients and shaken until deliciously frothy.

Espresso Martini

Learn how to make the perfect Aperol Spritz cocktail with just three ingredients – Prosecco, aperol and soda water. This low-alcohol cocktaill (or aperitivo) is perfect for happy hour. Plus, it's low in calories too!

Aperol Spritz

This Italian Margarita recipe is easy to make with just four ingredients! Orange juice, tequila, amaretto and lime juice combine in this delicious cocktail recipe.

Italian Margarita

How to Make Ahead and Store

Many of these Italian foods can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days or even in the freezer. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead.

Did you Make Any of These Italian Recipes?

Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of Italian foods. Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

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