Easy To Make, Hard To Forget With 29 Delicious Italian Recipes

Good Italian food sticks with you—literally and figuratively. With 29 options that come together effortlessly, there’s no need to overthink dinner. Just simple, comforting meals that make any night feel special. The only problem? You’ll have a hard time picking a favorite (or stopping at just one).

A bowl of risotto with mushrooms and parmesan cheese.
Mushroom Risotto. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Tiramisu

A slice of tiramisu is being lifted from the dish, showcasing layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and creamy mascarpone, topped with cocoa powder.
Tiramisu. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

If you’re in the mood for something sweet, you’ve got to try this no-bake dessert. It’s layered with a rich and creamy filling that hugs soft, coffee-dipped ladyfingers. Tiramisu is a classic you’ll come back to, whether it’s for a dinner party or just a Tuesday night craving.
Get the Recipe: Tiramisu

Caprese Appetizer

Image shows an overhead shot of Caprese Bites on a wooden board.
Caprese Appetizer. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Looking for something fresh to start your meal? You’ll love the simplicity of fresh flavors coming together. Caprese Appetizer is a go-to for a quick yet fancy start to any dining experience. It combines fresh components that never fail to make folks ask for more, even before the main course rolls out.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Appetizer

Garlic Bread

Slices of garlic bread topped with chopped parsley and sea salt sit enticingly on a wooden board, accompanied by a small bowl of salt and fresh cloves of garlic.
Garlic Bread. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside- this is what comfort food looks like. It’s the perfect sidekick to pasta or soups, and honestly, it’s irresistible straight out of the oven. Garlic Bread delivers a warm, savory punch that complements virtually any Italian dish.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Bread

Easy Caprese Salad

Caprese salad in a serving bowl, with tomatoes, oil and balsamic glaze nearby.
Easy Caprese Salad. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

When you’re tight on time but want a side with a lot of freshness, here’s your answer. It brings together bright, juicy tomatoes with creamy mozzarella and a hint of herbal goodness. Easy Caprese Salad might be simple, but it’s the kind of simple that impresses without trying too hard.
Get the Recipe: Easy Caprese Salad

Neapolitan Pizza

A quick and easy pizza recipe on a white plate.
Neapolitan Pizza. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

There’s pizza, and then there’s this iconic pie with a chewy crust, vibrant sauce, and bubbling cheese. You’ve got that quintessential simplicity that made Naples’ creation world-famous. Neapolitan Pizza is all about high-quality ingredients doing the talking, no fancy toppings are needed.
Get the Recipe: Neapolitan Pizza

Marry Me Chicken Soup

A creamy pasta dish with spinach, shredded chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and shell pasta, garnished with herbs.
Marry Me Chicken Soup. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Looking for warmth and comfort in a bowl? This rich and savory soup might just have everyone proposing to the chef. Marry Me Chicken Soup takes the classic love for poultry and upgrades it with a hearty mix. Each spoonful is packed with homely flavors that are sure to woo your senses.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken Soup

Morel Mushroom Pasta

A bowl of cavatappi pasta with morel mushrooms, garnished with grated cheese and fresh herbs.
Morel Mushroom Pasta. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Get ready to enhance your pasta game with these earthy, woodland treasures. This dish makes any day feel a little more special without being over the top. Morel Mushroom Pasta allows those unique fungi to shine, embraced by a simple backdrop. It’s a tasteful nod to rustic Italian countryside cooking.
Get the Recipe: Morel Mushroom Pasta

Ooni Pizza Dough

Someone sprinkling flour over pizza dough.
Ooni Pizza Dough. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

You’re about to make pizza that’s as authentic as it can get without catching a flight to Italy. This base becomes beautifully blistered with just the perfect amount of chewiness when cooked. Ooni Pizza Dough is your ticket to creating artisanal pizzas in your own backyard.
Get the Recipe: Ooni Pizza Dough

Antipasto Salad

A bowl of salad with mixed greens, prosciutto, cherry tomatoes, olives, artichokes, and roasted red peppers.
Antipasto Salad. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Need something vibrant and packed with variety to kick off your meal? You can throw this together for a crowd or just because you deserve a treat. Antipasto Salad is that bit of Italian flair filled with an assortment of delicious bites. It’s a salad that doesn’t play by the rules, and that’s why everyone loves it.
Get the Recipe: Antipasto Salad

Garlic Knots

Close-up view of freshly baked garlic knots with parsley and seasoning, resting on a parchment-lined baking tray.
Garlic Knots. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Forget plain old rolls; these little twists are where the party’s at. Golden brown and oozing with garlic butter goodness, they’re impossible to pass up. Garlic Knots are the fun side that gets everyone hands-on, with everyone grabbing for just one more. Making them at home adds a touch of homemade love to any mealtime.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Knots

Artichoke Pizza

A pizza with artichokes, tomatoes and spinach.
Artichoke Pizza. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Ever thought of an artichoke as the star of your pizza? It’s a hero that creates a unique pie experience unlike any other. Artichoke Pizza blends distinct flavors in a way that makes your usual topping choices seem, well, less exciting. It’s all about celebrating the less expected bounty of Italy’s gardens.
Get the Recipe: Artichoke Pizza

Copycat Olive Garden Ravioli Carbonara

A dish of ravioli with bacon and parsley that can be found at Olive Garden.
Copycat Olive Garden Ravioli Carbonara. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Craving that restaurant favorite but not in the mood to dine out? Copycat Olive Garden Ravioli Carbonara is about replicating that loved creamy, savory sensation. It’s a way to bring home the experience of a beloved Italian-American chain right to your fork.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Olive Garden Ravioli Carbonara

Best Lemon Pasta

A bowl of pasta with lemon slices and parmesan cheese.
Best Lemon Pasta. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Brighten up your pasta routine with a hint of citrus that makes everything pop. It’s unexpectedly refreshing and has a way of captivating with its light but impactful flavor. Best Lemon Pasta is that dish you choose when you want an easy yet surprisingly exciting plate.
Get the Recipe: Best Lemon Pasta

Italian Pasta with Salami

A vibrant pasta salad with fusilli, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, black olives, and diced salami in a clear bowl.
Italian Pasta with Salami. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Here’s a hearty embrace of Italy’s love affair with cured meats. Each forkful is peppered with bites that are savory and slightly spiced. Italian Pasta with Salami combines the punch of well-seasoned meat with comforting pasta. It’s the sort of dish that feels like a big, homely hug in edible form.
Get the Recipe: Italian Pasta with Salami

Pizza Salad

Homemade pizza salad in a serving bowl with wooden salad servers resting on top.
Pizza Salad. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Bet you didn’t think to mix salad with pizza, but here’s proof it’s a genius move. You get all the pizza flavors you love with an added crunch that’s refreshing. Pizza Salad takes deconstructed pizza toppings and gives them a fresh twist. It’s a creative way to enjoy two favorites at once – leafy greens meet cheesy goodness.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Salad

Homemade Lasagna

Close-up of a delicious slice of lasagna, showcasing layers of pasta, ground meat, tomato sauce, ricotta cheese, and garnished with chopped basil.
Homemade Lasagna. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Delve into layers upon layers of pasta, cheese, and sauce that culminate in a hot, bubbling masterpiece. It’s that labor of love whose first bite always feels like a reward. Homemade Lasagna is about creating comfort in a dish, with each layer telling a story of flavor and care.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Lasagna

Pizza Sauce

Pizza sauce spread over a pizza crust.
Pizza Sauce. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

A great pizza starts with the perfect base, and that’s what this is all about. You’ll find it has just the right balance of herbal notes and tomato richness. Pizza Sauce is the foundation that can make or break your homemade pizza – and this one makes it.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Sauce

Italian Sliders

Close-up of sesame seed-topped sliders filled with sliced meat and melted cheese.
Italian Sliders. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

When you want something bite-sized but packed with all the flavors you adore in Italian cuisine, this is what you’re after. These little sandwiches are stacked with vibrant ingredients that complement each other beautifully. Italian Sliders are great for gatherings where sharing is caring or just for a fun dinner twist.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sliders

Cacio e Pepe

Close-up of cooked spaghetti with cracked black pepper and a fork partially visible.
Cacio e Pepe. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Sometimes, the best flavors come from the simplest combinations. This classic dish is the epitome of Italian comfort food with its silky, peppery, cheesy sauce. Cacio e Pepe is proof that you don’t need a long list of ingredients to make a meal memorable.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe

Three Cheese Manicotti

A plate of stuffed cannelloni topped with tomato sauce, grated cheese, and fresh basil.
Three Cheese Manicotti. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Dig into tubes filled with a trio of cheeses, each adding its distinctive touch to the dish. It’s a creamy, dreamy way to enjoy pasta that’s often overshadowed by its lasagna cousin. Three Cheese Manicotti is a cheese lover’s paradise that’s surprisingly uncomplicated to put together.
Get the Recipe: Three Cheese Manicotti

Cheese Ravioli

A white plate of ravioli topped with black pepper, grated cheese, and sage leaves.
Cheese Ravioli. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Go ahead and indulge in little pockets of pasta that are positively oozing with cheese. It hits all the comfy notes and then some. Cheese Ravioli is that dependable dish that everybody, from the kids to the grown-ups, can agree on. Serve it up and watch it vanish – it’s that good.
Get the Recipe: Cheese Ravioli

Minestrone Soup

A bowl of hearty minestrone soup packed with green beans, pasta, zucchini, tomatoes, and herbs, served with crusty bread slices.
Minestrone Soup. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

So you need something hearty to warm your soul? This vegetable-packed bowl is like Italy’s hug in a bowl. Minestrone Soup is a medley of textures and tastes that come together harmoniously. It’s the sort of meal that feels like home, no matter where home is.
Get the Recipe: Minestrone Soup

Marry Me Shrimp Pasta

A plate of creamy spaghetti with shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil leaves.
Marry Me Shrimp Pasta. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

A dish so good it might just warrant a marriage proposal; at least, that’s the idea. Savory, seductive and swimming with your favorite shellfish, it’s got a luxurious vibe without being pretentious. Marry Me Shrimp Pasta begs to be enjoyed on date night or when you want to celebrate the every day.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Shrimp Pasta

Pasta alla Norma

A pot filled with penne pasta in a tomato sauce, topped with grated cheese, basil leaves, and herbs.
Pasta alla Norma. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Introducing a vegetarian favorite that doesn’t skimp on heartiness or flavor. It’s got a homey vibe and still manages to feel a bit fancy – a tough balance to strike. Pasta alla Norma is a beautiful way to appreciate what eggplants can do when given a chance. Serve it up and watch people fall in love with vegetables all over again.
Get the Recipe: Pasta alla Norma

Ravioli Casserole

Close-up of a baked dish with ravioli, mushrooms, asparagus, and melted cheese on top.
Ravioli Casserole. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Imagine bringing a casserole to the table and getting cheers instead of the usual nods. That’s because this isn’t any old casserole; it’s a giant hug from Italy, waiting to be dished out. Ravioli Casserole turns a typical evening into a feast without the fuss. A few simple steps and voila – you’ve got a crowd-pleaser baked and ready.
Get the Recipe: Ravioli Casserole

Tuscan Pasta

A close-up of a plate of Creamy Tuscan Pasta topped with a rich white sauce, grated cheese, and garnished with chopped parsley.
Tuscan Pasta. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

When you want a taste of the Italian countryside without leaving your kitchen, this is it. You’ve got all the rustic elements that make Tuscan cuisine so inviting. Tuscan Pasta is hearty, filled with flavors that transport you to another place. Dinner suddenly feels like you’re sitting on a sun-soaked terrace overlooking the rolling hills.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Pasta

Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna

A lasagna being dished up.
Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Who says lasagna needs meat to be mouthwatering? Here, greens and creamy cheese take center stage, offering a lighter take on the classic. Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna plays with texture and taste, making each layer its own experience.
Get the Recipe: Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna

Million Dollar Spaghetti

Close-up of a serving of cheesy baked spaghetti with meat sauce, topped with fresh parsley, being lifted from a dish.
Million Dollar Spaghetti. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Get ready for a pasta dish that tastes as rich as its name suggests. With this, you’re bringing decadence to the dinner table, and it doesn’t even require a bank loan. Million Dollar Spaghetti is perfect for when you want to impress without the stress. It’s got that ‘wow’ factor built right in, and it’s generous enough to feed a crowd with flair.
Get the Recipe: Million Dollar Spaghetti

Mushroom Risotto

A bowl of risotto with mushrooms and parmesan cheese.
Mushroom Risotto. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Stirring some love into a pot has never been so rewarding or delicious. This dish takes patience and care, but the result is creamy and packed with earthy flavors. Mushroom Risotto is comfort food that feels a little fancy, which is a winning combo. It’s that meal you make when you want to slow down and indulge in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Risotto

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