Top 10 Authentic Italian Recipes You Need to Try
Authentic Italian food is known around the world as some of the best food you can get your hands on, but many people think it’s hard to make yourself. With this list of authentic Italian recipes, you’ll find that not only are they easy to make, but also totally delicious and will put any restaurant meal to shame! Many of these recipes take just minutes to prepare and cook, so there’s no need to wait around all day for the perfect meal. Take a look through the list below, pick one out, and start cooking! You won’t regret it!
Bruschetta
Simply put, Bruschetta is a traditional Italian appetizer that can be served in several different ways. Some are sweet (usually with a drizzle of honey) and some are savory (with mozzarella cheese). Regardless of how you choose to enjoy it, Bruschetta is a tasty treat that can be enjoyed year-round and at any time of day. The best part? There are tons of recipes out there—you’re only limited by your imagination! Check out these great ideasArancini
Since we're starting with a big one, let's start with an appetizer. Arancini is an Italian classic in which rice is coated in breadcrumbs and then deep fried. It's typically filled with mozzarella and béchamel sauce and served with marinara sauce on top. When frying arancini, it's important to not fill them too much or else they can explode! If you're making arancini for your friends or family, remember that presentation is key: serve them on skewers for a decorative touch. This simple recipe requires only five ingredients and takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish, so it won't break your budget or take up too much of your time!Insalata Caprese
Also known as a simple salad, Insalata Caprese is an Italian staple that’s easy to master. Featuring tomatoes, basil and mozzarella cheese drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, it’s both light and healthy yet flavorful. A true taste of Italy!Bolognese Sauce
Making a Bolognese sauce is simple, but mastering it takes time. Don’t expect your first batch to turn out picture-perfect; instead, focus on capturing each of its flavors in an organized way. Bolognese is typically made with minced meat—beef or pork—along with a blend of aromatic vegetables (onions, carrots and celery), tomato sauce and wine. To ensure your sauce is perfect every time, try following these tips: avoid using pre-ground meat; brown your mince before adding any liquids; cook your sauce at a low heat for at least three hours so all of its ingredients have time to simmer together seamlessly.Eggplant Parmigiana
Stuffed shells are a healthy alternative to pasta dishes. They’re easy and convenient for everyday dinners. Packed with spinach, mushrooms, ricotta cheese and tomatoes, these stuffed shells make an excellent side dish. If you don’t have time to cook up a full meal from scratch, try cooking these in advance and reheating them for dinner. We recommend serving them topped with tomato sauce or your favorite marinara for a delicious twist on comfort food. To add even more flavor, serve over spaghetti squash instead of traditional pasta noodles.Minestrone Soup
Minestrone soup is a rich and hearty soup that can be made with whatever vegetables you have on hand. Because of its traditional ingredients, minestrone soup can be eaten in most regions of Italy at any time of year—but especially when it’s cold out! This recipe makes plenty of servings, so invite some friends over or make sure you freeze leftovers for an easy meal later. Remember, you don’t need all ten of these recipes right away, just mix and match and add your favorites to your own collection. Bon Appetit!Stuffed Shells
While Italian has come to be a catch-all term for almost any dish with an adjective before it, it's still Italy's cuisine you're most likely think of when it comes to classic dishes. But while you might be able to recognize a few in their original language, like eggplant parmigiana and linguine with clam sauce, many more can trip up even experienced eaters. There are dozens of ways things are prepared across Italy's regions—and that's not counting different types of foods—so you can't go wrong by focusing on fresh ingredients and letting yourself get lost in translation a little bit. Here are ten recipes that represent classic Italian cooking and should help you fall in love with its unique flavors (or at least get closer).Tiramisu
Tiramisu is a traditional Italian dessert that consists of ladyfingers dipped in coffee, layered with cocoa and espresso, and topped with a creamy custard-like filling. There are plenty of variations and options for toppings, including rum or marsala wine. Tiramisu usually needs a couple hours to set up in the refrigerator before it can be eaten. It makes a wonderful dessert, though you could also serve it as an appetizer if you’re serving guests after dinner (though tiramisu is more typically served as a sweet snack).Zuppa Inglese (Espresso Mousse Cake)
This dessert is a quintessential classic. It's great for celebrations and all occasions. Zuppa Inglese, translated as English Soup, gets its name from its texture -- it's neither soup nor pudding, but somewhere in between. A layer of espresso-flavored custard sits on top of a layer of white chocolate mousse, topped with sponge cake that's soaked in rum syrup. Yum!Carbonara Pasta
This dish is traditionally made with bacon, eggs, and cheese. It makes for a simple weeknight meal that’s so tasty you might be tempted to eat it every night of the week. To make carbonara pasta: Start by heating some oil in a pan on medium heat. Add in half an onion, chopped, and cook until soft. Then add 1/2 lb of pancetta or bacon (for vegetarian version substitute with mushrooms), cut into small pieces and cook until browned and crispy. Drain off excess fat from frying pan before adding 2 handfuls of spaghetti noodles along with some salt and pepper then stir fry everything together until lightly golden browned. Keep stirring occasionally while frying as not to let them stick together too much.