Italian Recipes Slideshow

Pizza with Fresh Tomatoes and Basil

Fresh tomatoes, basil, garlic and mozzarella imbue this easy-to-make pizza with delicious, classic flavor.

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Conghilie with Clams and Mussels

Small seashell pasta meet real shellfish, cooked in a light wine sauce, in this simple, sea-inspired dish.

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Classic Italian Lasagna

Giada gives a beloved comfort food a boost with spinach and a creamy tomato béchamel.

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Ribollita

This hearty soup, made with tomatoes, spinach, white beans and pancetta, is always served over bread.

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Stuffed Artichokes

For a splendid starter, combine tender artichokes with herbed tomato and caper stuffing.

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Antipasti Platter

Serve an array of Italian flavors with a traditional platter of cured meats, cheese, olives and a roasted pepper salad.

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Chicken Scallopine with Sage and Fontina Cheese

Visually pleasing and fun to eat, these herb-and-cheese-stuffed chicken rolls also pack a flavorful punch.

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Swordfish with Citrus Pesto

A lemon-orange pesto lightens and brightens this grilled swordfish.

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Osso Buco

Simmer these juicy veal shanks in an aromatic white wine-tomato sauce until the meat falls off the bone.

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Braciole

Slow cooked in simple tomato sauce, these cheese-stuffed flank steaks are perfect for a lazy Sunday.

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Taleggio and Pear Panini

Creamy cheese, fresh pears, arugula and a drizzle of honey combine spectacularly in this simple, one-of-a-kind sandwich.

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Chocolate Sformato with Amaretto Whip Cream

A sprinkling of almonds gives this baked chocolate pudding a little crunch.

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The Italian Meal

Traditionally, the main meal in Italy is a lengthy affair, composed of a number of small courses. Dishes typically are relatively simple, with seasonal and fresh ingredients.

• Antipasto

  

  Before the meal is the antipasto, which translates to just that — "before the meal" — and it is meant to be a little something to whet the appetite. Antipasti can be either simple or complicated, and they often include olives, vegetables, salad and bruschetta.

  • Calabrian Cracked Olives
  • Grilled Antipasto Platter
  • Cannellini Bean Antipasto with Shrimp: Antipasto di Cannellini
  • Bruschetta Con Pomodori
  • Get more recipes for antipasti

• Primo

  

  The first course of the actual meal, called the primo, is typically a small serving of soup, pasta, gnocchi, rice or polenta.

  • Escarole and Bean Soup
  • Shrimp and Chive Ravioli with Grape Tomato Sauce
  • Potato Gnocchi
  • Porcini and Chanterelle Risotto
  • Polenta with Gorgonzola Cheese
  • Get more soup, pasta, gnocchi, risotto and polenta recipes

• Secondo

  

  The secondo is a small serving of fish, chicken or meat, often grilled and served without sauce.

  • Grilled Swordfish with Lemon, Mint and Basil
  • Orange Balsamic Rock Cornish Game Hens
  • Grilled Baby Lamb Chops with Crispy Rosemary
  • Get more seafood, chicken and meat recipes

• Contorno

  

  The contorno is a simply cooked seasonal vegetable to accompany the secondo. One or more may be served at a meal.

  • Sweet and Sour Pumpkin: Zucca Gialla in Agrodolce
  • Artichoke Gratinata
  • Asparagus with Gremolata
  • Crunchy Roasted Rosemary Potatoes

• Dolce

  

  Italians finish the meal with a dolce, which means "sweet," and is traditionally fruit or biscotti. You might also try a fruit pie, called a crostata, but fancy desserts, such as cakes, are more likely to be reserved for special occasions.

  • Roasted Pears with Brown Sugar and Vanilla Ice Cream
  • Chocolate Hazelnut Biscotti
  • Winter Fruit Compote with Selection of Cheese
  • Orange Tart, Capri Style: Torta d'Arancia di Capri
  • Rustic Peach and Blueberry Crostata
  • Chocolate Amaretti Cake
  • Get more Italian dessert recipes