Bring a Taste of Italy to Your Table
Italian restaurants are nice, but there’s no way you could ever make those complicated dishes at home—right? Think again! Plenty of Italian plates are made with a handful of ingredients, so let’s dive into some of the simplest ones.
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1. Caprese Salad
It may be one of the freshest salads but it’s also one of the easiest! You only need mozzarella, tomato, basil, and a touch of balsamic vinegar to bring your favorite Italian app to life. The best part is that it isn’t heavy either, leaving lots of room for pasta.
2. Bruschetta
Is anything tastier than tomato and goat cheese on fresh bread? Red onion and balsamic drizzle certainly kick things up a notch. However you choose to dress it up, bruschetta is classic and simple—perfect for any home cook.
3. Marinated Mozzarella Balls
So, you only have cheese at home? No problem! Toss those mozza balls in a bowl and whip up a mixture of olive oil, red pepper flakes, garlic, and oregano. Coat your cheese and serve alongside fresh bread for a simple 15-minute appetizer.
4. Focaccia Bread
We know homemade bread sounds daunting to first-timers, but the biggest ingredient here is time. You’ll need at least ten hours before the dough rises, but there’s not much else to worry about—a handful of ingredients and 30 minutes in the oven get the job done.
5. Antipasto Skewers
The only thing better than antipasto is antipasto on a stick! All you need for this one is basil, prosciutto, mozzarella balls, and artichoke hearts. You can also add olives or cherry tomatoes, but the best way to make it your own is with various herbs.
6. Stuffed Shells
Really get mouths watering with stuffed shells—an easy-peasy pasta dish stuffed with ricotta cheese and fresh herbs. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser too because you can make it with or without ground beef. Either way, it’ll taste amazing.
7. Chicken Marsala
This recipe requires a few more ingredients but not much time, making it a great choice for beginners. Chicken breasts, Marsala wine, and button mushrooms are the stars of this dish. You also only need about half an hour before it’s all done.
8. Homemade Lasagna
Don’t let those layers scare you; making homemade lasagna is way easier than you think! Grab your noodles, tomato sauce, and cheese and get stacking—you’re left with a delicious meal perfect for cozy days and empty bellies.
9. Fettuccine Alfredo
Fettucine is one of the best-tasting simple dinners. You only need noodles of your choice, a generous helping of parm, garlic, and fresh herbs. Of course, you’ll need other basic ingredients like butter and heavy cream, but it’s still a quick recipe!
10. Spaghetti and Meatballs
Speaking of simple classics, how could we leave out spaghetti and meatballs? You can also make it easier on yourself with store-bought sauce or meatballs, but whipping up the entire thing from scratch isn’t hard either.
*highlimitzz from spider man's neighborhood on Wikimedia
11. Minestrone Soup
Nothing hits the spot like soup on a cold day. Now, you’ll need quite a few ingredients, however, it’s nothing out of the ordinary. Some elbow pasta, fresh herbs and veggies, and white kidney beans get the base going.
Katrin Morenz from Aachen, Deutschland on Wikimedia
12. Cacio e Pepe
If you’re looking for simple, look no further than cacio e pepe, a four-ingredient pasta dish ready in twenty minutes. Pecorino, black pepper, olive oil, and noodles—that’s it! It’s simple, delicious, and one of the easiest dinners around.
13. Meatball Subs
Now we’re getting into the really good stuff. Fresh bread stuffed with homemade meatballs, tomato sauce, and cheese? Sounds good to us! You can always sprinkle a touch of parsley or oregano in there, too.
14. Chicken Pesto Pasta
Not only is this recipe easy, but you can also make it in one pot. You’ll need a handful of ingredients for this one, such as pasta, cheese, basil pesto, and fresh herbs. After that, it’s just 25 minutes until a hearty pasta dish.
15. Almond Biscotti
We’re nearing the end, which means it’s time for easy Italian desserts! Bring those cafe cookies to your dinner table—almond biscotti is made with typical baking ingredients like flour, eggs, and brown sugar, but the finished product will taste way better than anything store-bought.
16. Zeppole
We admit this recipe calls for at least two hours of your time, but it’s worth it for homemade Italian donuts. It’s hard not to get excited about those little dough balls packed with sea salt, lemon, and sugar.
17. Tiramisu
The best thing about this traditional staple is its versatility—you can make it in as little as ten minutes or bake it from scratch in several hours. However you choose to indulge, you’ll have a classic coffee treat.
18. Panna Cotta
Panna cotta may take a few hours to make, but it’s more than worth it for those fresh berries and cream. The good news is that it’s still a simple dessert because it only needs five ingredients!
19. Italian Hot Chocolate
Not everyone wants dessert after a heavy meal. Still, the occasion calls for something sweet. Say hello to Italian hot chocolate, the little mug filled with decadent dark chocolate and cocoa, all topped with whipped cream.
20. Affogato
Not so fast! We’re not done with dessert drinks just yet. End dinner with a spiced bang—ice cream, dark chocolate, and a splash of amaretto go down nice and smooth after all that pasta. That espresso shot is a good jolt awake too!
