Italy is a beautiful European country with a Mediterranean coastline. It has left a powerful mark on Western culture and cuisine. Pizza, pasta, gelato, and espresso all hail from Italy. The Boot-shaped peninsula is surrounded by the Tyrrhenian, Ionian, and Adriatic seas, which explains the abundance of seafood in Italian dishes. Olives and grapes are also prominent ingredients. While each Italian region has its specialties, some classic dishes can be found throughout the country. Here are some of our favorite classic recipes for a traditional Italian dinner.
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Italians love their red sauce, and this dish is a prime example. The tomato-based sauce is flavored with garlic, onion, and herbs. To make this extra dish special, top it with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese. The complete recipe is available here.
Ingredients:
- Spaghetti
- Ground beef
- Bread crumbs
- Parsley
- Finely grated Parmesan
- Egg
- Garlic cloves
- Salt and pepper
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Can of crushed tomatoes
- Bay leaves
- Ground black pepper
Directions:
Cook the spaghetti according to package directions. Drain and set aside. Mix ground beef, bread crumbs, parsley, Parmesan, egg, garlic cloves, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Form into small size meatballs in a large skillet, and heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add all the meatballs and cook until browned all over about five minutes. Add the onion and cook until softened, about three minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes, bay leaves, and ground black pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 15 minutes. Serve the meatballs over the spaghetti. And enjoy!
Lasagna
This hearty dish originates from the Emilia-Romagna region in Italy. It traditionally consists of alternate layers of pasta, meat sauce, and cheese, with a bechamel or ricotta topping. While the dish can be time-consuming to prepare, it can easily be made ahead of time and reheated for dinner. The recipe is here;
Ingredients:
- Ground beef
- Onion
- Garlic
- Crushed tomatoes
- Tomato paste
- Tomato sauce
- Water
- White sugar
- Dried basil leaves
- Fennel seeds
- Italian seasoning
- Salt
- Fresh parsley
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 375 or 380 degrees F (190 degrees C). In a large pot, combine ground beef, onion, and garlic. Cook over medium heat until the beef is browned. Drain fat and stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Season with sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat a bit low, and simmer for about 30 minutes. Then, add the cooked pasta and parsley. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese.
Tiramisu
Tiramisu is an Italian dessert that consists of ladyfingers dipped in coffee, layered with a whipped mixture of eggs, sugar, and mascarpone cheese, flavored with cocoa.
Ingredients:
- 24 ladyfingers
- ½ cup strong coffee cooled
- ¼ cup rum
- 500 grams mascarpone cheese
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- cocoa powder for dusting
Directions:
In a bowl, combine coffee and rum. Dip half of the ladyfingers or any long biscuites in the mixture and place them on the bottom of an 11×13 inch baking dish. In a large bowl, beat mascarpone cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Spread half of the mixture over ladyfingers. Repeat layers of dipped ladyfingers and mascarpone mixture. Dust with cocoa powder. Cover and refrigerate for at least four hours or overnight before serving. Enjoy your classic Italian Tiramisu recipe!
Parmesan Chicken
Parmesan cheese is a key ingredient in many Italian recipes. This chicken dish is no exception! The chicken breasts are coated in a mixture of Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, and parsley. They are then baked to perfection and served with a delicious tomato sauce.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup dry bread crumbs
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ²⁄³ cup milk
- vegetable oil for frying
- 24 oz. tomato sauce
Directions:
Preheat the oven upto 400°F (200°C). In a large bowl or plate, combine Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. In another shallow bowl, combine flour and paprika. Pour milk into a third shallow bowl. Dip chicken in the flour mixture, then the milk mixture, then coat with the Parmesan mixture. Place chicken on a greased baking sheet, and bake for 25 minutes, or until cooked through. In a saucepan, heat tomato sauce over medium heat. Serve chicken with tomato sauce. Enjoy! This classic Italian recipe is sure to please any crowd! These ingredients are easily available in your pantry. If you lack any, grab CouponGot grocery coupons and visit the nearest mart to buy every essential ingredient for your recipe at a discount.
Home-Made Ricotta
Ricotta is a key ingredient in many classic Italian recipes, and it’s easy to make at home! Just follow these simple directions:
Ingredients:
- A gallon of whole milk
- A cup of heavy cream
- Half a cup of white vinegar
Instructions:
In a saucepan, heat milk over low to medium heat until it comes to a boil. Remove from heat and add vinegar. Stir gently until curds form. Pour mixture into a cheesecloth-lined colander set over a bowl. Let drain for 15 minutes. Transfer ricotta to a bowl and stir in salt to taste. Enjoy!
Chicken Marsala
This chicken marsala recipe is a classic Italian dish easy to make at home! Just follow these simple instructions:
Ingredients:
- One pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- One cup of all-purpose flour
- Two tablespoons of olive oil
- One cup of Marsala wine
- One half of a chicken bouillon cube
- One tablespoon of butter
- One-fourth of a teaspoon of dried thyme
Directions:
Cut chicken into one-inch cubes. Place flour in a shallow dish. Dip chicken in flour. Heat olive oil. Add chicken and cook until browned, about four minutes per side. Add Marsala wine and chicken bouillon cube to the skillet. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce has thickened, about five minutes. Stir in butter and thyme. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve over cooked pasta or rice. Enjoy! These components are available in your kitchen. If you don’t have any, grocery coupons might help you save money by getting all of the necessary ingredients at a discount at the nearest market.
Flatbread Pizza
This is one of the go-to recipes when you’re short on time or just feeling lazy. It’s easy and requires only a few ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. You can top your flatbread pizza with anything you like, but we usually stick to the classic combination of tomato sauce, mozzarella, and pepperoni. This yummy recipe is sure to become a weeknight staple in your house!
Ingredients:
- Flatbreads ( we like using naan or pita bread)
- Tomato sauce
- Mozzarella cheese
- Pepperoni
- Fresh basil (optional)
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce over each flatbread. Sprinkle it with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly. If desired, top with fresh basil before serving. Enjoy!
It’s a Wrap!
Italy is a vibrant country with a storied history and incredible food. From the classic Margherita pizza to hearty lasagna, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. These eight recipes are just a starting point – get creative and enjoy exploring all that Italian cuisine offers! Ciao for now! Buon appetito!