Italy: Recipes and Cuisine

Cinque Terre village on the Italian Riviera coast

Italian cuisine is all about the freshest, most flavorful ingredients prepared simply yet exquisitely. The food of Italy places a big emphasis on regional specialties and artisanally produced products. Parmesan cheese, balsamic vinegar, Tuscan olive oil and wines up and down the peninsular boot are famous the world over. Pasta is a staple and is made in innumerable shapes and sizes.

Typical Italian Dishes

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A list of typical Italian dishes and foods. Use it to help you plan a Italian-style meal, party or festival.

Antipasti (Appetizers)

Bagna Caôda (Olive oil and anchovy dip for vegetables)
Calamari Fritti (Deep-fried squid)
Carciofi Fritti (Deep-fried artichokes)
Crostini (Toasted bread with toppings)
Bruschetta alla Romana (Grilled bread with tomatoes, basil and olive oil)
Frittate (Italian-style omelettes)
Olive Marinata (Marinated olives)
Peperoni Arrostiti all'Acciughe (Roasted peppers with anchovies)
Gamberetti all'Agro (Lemon-marinated shrimp)
Prosciutto e Melone (Prosciutto-wrapped melon)

Minestre e Minestrone (Soups and Stews)

Acquacotta (Simple tomato soup)
Minestra di Ceci (Chickpea and pasta soup)
Minestrone (Vegetable soup)
Pappa al Pomodoro (Tomato-bread soup)
Pasta e Fagioli (Pasta and bean soup)
Risi e Bisi (Stewed rice and peas)
Zuppa di Lenticchie (Lentil soup)

Insalate (Salads)

Insalata Caprese (Tomato, mozzarella and basil salad)
Insalata di Cannellini (White bean salad)
Insalata di Gorgonzola e Noci (Gorgonzola-walnut salad)
Insalata di Tomate (Tomato salad)
Insalata Mista (Mixed greens salad)
Panzanella (Bread and tomato salad)

Pasta

Bucatini all'Amatriciana (Pasta with spicy tomato and pancetta sauce)
Canneloni (Stuffed pasta rolls)
Gnocchi alla Romana (Baked semolina dumplings)
Gnocchi di Patate (Potato dumplings)
Lasagne (Layered pasta dishes)
Linguine alle Vongole (Pasta with clam sauce)
Orecchiete con Broccoli (Ear-shaped pasta with broccoli and cheese)
Pasta con Melanzane e Ricotta (Pasta with eggplant-ricotta sauce)
Pasta con Prosciutto e Erbisi (Pasta in a cream sauce with prosciutto and peas)
Pasta con Salvia (Pasta with sage-butter sauce)
Pasta alla Puttanesca (Pasta with tomatoes, olives and capers)
Pasta Varieties
Pasta Fresca (Fresh pasta)
Pizzocheri (Buckwheat pasta with cabbage and potatoes)
Ragù Bolognese (Pasta with tomato-meat sauce)
Ravioli (Stuffed pasta squares)
Spaghetti Aio e Oio (Pasta with garlic and olive oil)
Spaghetti alla Carbonara (Pasta with bacon and eggs)
Tortellini (Stuffed pasta hats)

Pollame (Poultry)

Pollo alla Cacciatora (Hunter-style chicken)
Pollo Arrosto di Modena (Roast chicken in balsamic marinade)

Carne (Meats)

Agnello al Forno (Roast Easter lamb)
Braciole alla Pizzaiola (Beef simmered in tomato garlic sauce)
Brasato al Chianti (Tuscan beef braised in red wine)
Coniglio Arrosto (Roast rabbit)
Cotechino con Lenticchie (Sausage with lentils)
Ossobuco (Braised veal shanks)
Polenta e Salsiccia (Sausages with polenta)
Polpette (Meatballs)
Scaloppine alla Boscaiola (Pork chops with mushrooms)
Vitello alla Marsala (Veal with marsala sauce)

Pesce e Frutti di Mare (Fish and Seafood)

Calamari Ripieni (Stuffed Squid)
Pesce Spada in Salmoriglio (Grilled swordfish with lemon and olive oil)
Pesce alla Genova (Baked fish, Genoese-style)
Pesce alla Romagna (Grilled fish, Romagna-style)
Sarde in Saor (Sardines in sweet-sour marinade)
Tonno ai Capperi (Tuna with capers)
Trotelle alla Panna (Trout with cream sauce)

Verdure e Fagioli (Vegetables and Beans)

Asparagi alla Parmigiana (Asparagus gratin)
Broccoli all'Olio (Broccoli braised in olive oil)
Caponata (Eggplant, tomato and pepper stew)
Carciofi alla Guidea (Deep-fried artichokes)
Cavolfiore all'Accuga (Cauliflower in anchovy sauce)
Fagioli all'Uccelletto (White beans with tomato and sage)
Fagiolini alla Peperonata (Green beans and peppers)
Finocchio all'Olio (Fennel braised in olive oil)
Fiori di Zucca Fritti (Deep-fried zucchini blooms)
Marinated Olives (Olives marinated in olive oil, garlic, oregano and rosemary)
Melanzane alla Parmigiana (Eggplant Parmesan)
Spinaci con Pignoli (Sautéed spinach with garlic and pinenuts)
Teglia di Patate e Funghi (Gratinéed potatoes and mushrooms)
Torta Pasqualina (Swiss chard pie)
Zucchini con Salvia (Italian zucchini and sage sautéed in butter)

Pane e Grani (Breads and Grains)

Ciabatta (Slipper-shaped loaf)
Foccacia (Olive oil flat bread)
Mantovana (Olive oil bread)
Pasta per Pizza (Pizza dough)
Pizza Margherita (Pizza with mozzarella, tomatoes and basil)
Pizza Napoletana (Pizza with mozzarella, anchovies, tomato and basil)
Pizza con Prosciutto (Pizza with prosciutto)
Polenta (Cornmeal mush)
Pugliese (Crusty bread from Puglia)
Risotti (Rice dishes)

Salse (Sauces)

Pesto Genovese (Basil-pinenut sauce)
Salsa Balsamella (White sauce)
Salsa Rossa (Basic tomato sauce)
Salsa Verde (Green herb sauce)

Dolci (Desserts)

Biscotti (Twice-baked cookies)
Cannoli (Ricotta-stuffed pastries)
Castagne Ubriache (Chestnuts in red wine)
Gelato (Italian-style ice cream)
Granita (Italian ice)
Pannacotta (Custard)
Panforte (Sienese fruitcake)
Ricciarelli (Almond cookies)
Ricotta al Caffè (Coffee-flavored ricotta cream)
Tiramisù (Coffee-flavored ladyfingers and mascarpone)
Torta di Mandorle (Almond cake)
Torta di Mele (Apple torte)
Torta di Noci (Walnut cake)
Zabaione con Frutta (Marsala sauce over fruit)

Bevande (Beverages)

Coffee Drinks
Italian Wine
Limoncello (Italian lemon-flavored liqueur)

Italian Recipes

Try these recipes from Italy.

Asparagi alla Parmigiana

(Italian asparagus gratin)

Granita al Limone

(Italian lemon ice)

Ragù Bolognese

(Italian tomato-meat sauce)

Torta Pasqualina

(Italian Easter spinach, ricotta and egg torte)

Zucchini con Salvia

(Italian sautéed zucchini and sage)

Risi e Bisi

(Italian stewed rice and peas)

Panzanella

(Italian bread and tomato salad)

Panforte

(Italian Christmas honey fruitcake)

Pappa al Pomodoro

(Italian tomato-bread soup)

Pomodori Verdi sott'Aceto

(Italian green tomato pickle)

Teglia di Patate e Funghi

Teglia di patate Italian potato casserole

(Italian gratineed potatoes and mushrooms)

Spinaci con Pinoli

(Italian sautéed spinach with garlic and pinenuts)

Pasta per Torte Salate

(Italian olive oil dough for savory tortes)

Vin Brûlé

(Italian warm spiced wine; see Mulled Wine recipe)

Caponata Siciliana

(Italian sweet and sour eggplant dish)

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