13 Italian Recipes Everyone Should Know How to Make!

Easy Italian recipes you need to know how to make, from crusty focaccia to the best meatballs you’ll ever taste!

Learn how to make these 11 Italian recipes and you’ll be set for life! Italian food has always been a favorite in the US, and it’s had an indelible impact on our food tastes, especially if you grew up in the Northeast, like I did. Italian food runs in our veins, and there’s nothing more comforting to me than a slice of focaccia or a plate of sausage and peppers.

Italian pantry essentials

When you have these essentials in the cupboard, a good meal is never very far away. Hopefully you’ve got garlic, basil, lemons, and a chunk of real Parm in the kitchen, too.

extra virgin olive oil
pasta
anchovies
balsamic vinegar
olives
pine nuts
red pepper flakes
arborio rice
dried beans
polenta
canned tomatoes and tomato paste

ingredients for making basil pesto Genovese

a hearty soup

Soup is an integral part of the healthy Mediterranean diet, and the Italians are masters at making soups that are satisfying enough to make a meal. If you’re cooking on a budget, this classic Italian soup recipe will be your best friend.

a bowl of Italian white bean soup with Parmesan cheese

focaccia bread

Focaccia was the first bread I learned to make and it remains one of my favorites. It’s used for snacking, sandwiches, even breakfast in Italy. Different toppings like herbs or veggies give this basic Italian bread recipe many personalities.

pesto

Pesto is in a class by itself, it might be Italy’s greatest culinary gift to the world. My mouth waters just thinking about it. I suggest starting with the original pesto alla Genovese, and then adjusting it to your taste. I love mine spicy!

Bolognese sauce

At some point in your cooking career you’ll graduate from spaghetti and meat sauce to pasta Bolognese, and you’ll never look back.

caprese salad

Caprese is less of a recipe and more of a state of mind. It’s knowing that the freshest, best ingredients need nothing more than a chop and a toss. When fabulous full sized tomatoes are out of season, I make this classic Italian tomato salad recipe with cherry tomatoes.

fresh pasta

When you’re ready to advance to next level Italian food, fresh pasta is waiting for you. This recipe requires no special pasta machine ~ just a rolling pin and a floured surface.

citrus cake

One of the often forgotten aspects of Italian cuisine is all that wonderful citrus. Oranges and lemons feature in so many different recipes but citrus cakes are some of my favorites.

removing a slice of orange cake with a cake server

carbonara

Carbonara is a classic Italian pasta dish that originated in Rome. It is a simple yet flavorful dish made with a few key ingredients: pasta, eggs, pancetta or guanciale (Italian cured pork jowl), Parmesan cheese, and black pepper.

pizza dough

I can’t think of a recipe you could master that would have a greater impact on your culinary life than pizza dough. It’s a game changer in so many ways, and my recipe couldn’t be easier!

meatballs

If you’re going to make meatballs, I highly recommend you start with the best. These take a little bit of time, but they are transcendent. My meatballs al forno is an authentic Italian recipe from Mozza restaurant in Los Angeles.

risotto

Risotto is magical and something everybody needs to learn how to make. Once you do, I suggest you try my Instant Pot risotto. I’ll go out on a limb and swear it’s just as good as the best risotto I’ve ever eaten, but it takes a fraction of the time.

Frittata

Frittatas are nutritious, budget friendly versatile meals that everybody loves ~ Thank you Italy!

tiramisu

This Italian dessert recipe towers over all others for its unique mouthfeel, its multi-levels of flavor, and the cool way it makes something so rich seem so light and airy. Thank you, Italy!

buon appetito!

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Questions and Reviews

Nancy Robinson says:

I love your new format

- Sue Moran says:
  
  Thanks Nancy!
  
Deb Pelton says:

These recipes all look fantastic and they will be tried soon! I’d planned on pizza this week anyway so that will be the first! I also have say every recipe of yours I’ve made we’ve been very pleased. It’s so nice to have a blog you can go to and know whatever you try will be delicious! I have a question: where did you get those glasses for the tiramisu? They’d be perfect for the individual trifles I make, also. Thanks for being a favorite girl-to! ????deb

- Sue Moran says:
  
  Hi Deb, and thanks for the kind words 🙂 The glasses, I believe, came from Cost Plus/World Market. I think I just saw them there the other day.