Authentic Italian

I was raised in a big Italian family and my authentic Italian recipes are the ones I cherish the most. Some of these recipes were passed down from my grandparents, and others I learned through my career as a chef and traveling. There are appetizers, main courses, desserts and of course plenty of pasta.

Featured Recipe

Italian Beef Braciole

This Authentic Italian Beef Braciole Recipe is perfect for a Sunday family dinner with tender beef rolled up with breadcrumbs, pine nuts, raisins, and cheese, then simmered all day in a rich red wine tomato sauce.

Italian Beef Braciole

Close up of 3 slices of braciole over red sauce on a white plate with a fork.

A detailed view of spaghetti alla Nerano on a speckled ceramic plate, showing the rich, creamy sauce, shreds of Pecorino Romano cheese, blistered zucchini chips, and vibrant green basil leaves.

Spaghetti alla Nerano (Zucchini Spaghetti)

Close-up of a fork lifting a slice of pickled carrot from a plate of colorful giardiniera – includes cauliflower, red pepper, celery, and onion, lightly dressed in brine with visible herbs and peppercorns.

Pickled Italian Vegetables (Giardiniera)

Golden, square-cut chickpea fritters (panelle) sprinkled with flaky sea salt, arranged on a white ridged plate with lemon wedges on the side.

Panelle (Sicilian Chickpea Fritters)

Close-up shot of a dark ceramic bowl filled with roasted red pepper strips marinated with olive oil, garlic, and herbs, with a fork resting inside the bowl.

Marinated Roasted Red Peppers

Close-up detail of pasta aglio e olio in a ceramic bowl, highlighting how the simple sauce clings to each strand of spaghetti. The parsley and red pepper flakes provide visual contrast against the pasta, and a fork twirling through the noodles demonstrates the dish's perfect consistency.

Pasta Olio e Aglio

A closer view of the pasta alla norma in the serving dish, showing more detail of the perfectly coated rigatoni, roasted eggplant, and creamy ricotta salata topping. Fresh basil sprigs add color and a finishing touch.

Sicilian Pasta Alla Norma

Overhead view of an oval white serving platter containing chicken thighs coated in a golden sauce with visible herb specks. A sprig of rosemary sits in the center, and the dish is presented on a rustic wooden surface with a purple napkin alongside.

Roman Chicken Cacciatore

Table setting with white and blue plates containing arancini (stuffed rice balls) topped with grated cheese and herbs, served with marinara dipping sauce and garnishes.

Arancini Recipe (Sicilian Rice Balls)

Finished eggs in purgatory in gray skillet with sliced rustic bread on wooden board, chopped basil and crumbled goat cheese in small bowls.

Eggs in Purgatory Recipe (Eggs with Tomato Sauce)

Side view of stacked focaccia bread pieces showing the airy texture and golden crust.

Easy Focaccia

Clams with Tomatoes, Basil + Blue Cheese

26+ Delicious Italian Appetizers To Make Tonight

Cheese based Italian dessert on a small dish.

Italian Ricotta Pie

Overhead view of a white plate with slices of Italian Easter pie, surrounded by sliced salami, fresh spinach and shredded cheese on a marble surface.

Pizza Rustica (Easter Pie Recipe)

A bowl of pasta with ragu alla Bolognese with a fork.

Ragu Bolognese (Tagliatelle Bolognese)

Overhead view of an elegant oval serving platter with bright green peas and snap peas topped with prosciutto and fresh herbs, served with a swirl of creamy ricotta cheese.

Peas with Prosciutto and Ricotta

Sautéed broccoli raab with crispy garlic chips on top.

Rapini with Pine Nuts and Raisins

A plate of carpaccio of beef on a wooden table.

Beef Carpaccio (Carpaccio di Manzo)

A plate of brown butter sage potato gnocchi.

Homemade Potato Gnocchi

A Margherita pizza with fresh mozzarella and basil.

Neapolitan Style Pizza Margherita

Strofie pasta tossed with classic pesto Genovese with basil.

Pesto Genovese: Classic Basil Pesto

Several pieces of Fava bean crostini on a wooden board.

Fava Bean Crostini with Pecorino and Mint

A pan and wooden spoon with Italian style sautéed escarole.

Escarole Greens with Olives and Capers

A platter of Italian tuna and green bean salad with lemon wedges.

Italian Tuna Green Bean Salad

A plate of calamari fritti garnished with lemon.

Calamari Fritti

overhead shot of vegetable risotto with asparagus, chives, and rice scattered in the background

Spring Vegetable Risotto

Caesar salad with lots of grated cheese on top.

Kale Caesar Salad

A dish of Italian salsa verde with vibrant green olive oil.

Italian Salsa Verde (Easy Green Sauce Recipe)

Thinly shaved ribbons of asparagus tossed with Pecorino Romano cheese and parsley.

Easy Shaved Asparagus Salad Recipe with Pecorino Romano

Close up of a fork that has twirled up some spaghetti cacio e pepe.

Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe

Four cheese pizza cut into slices.

Quattro Formaggi Pizza (Four Cheese)

A freshly baked Neapolitan style pizza.

Neapolitan Pizza Dough Recipe

A collage of 4 different photos of soups.

The Best Authentic Italian Soups

Bowl of Italian soup with a spoon inside.

Pasta e Fagioli (Pasta Fazool)

Hands cupping a bowl of affogato with a spoon.

Italian Affogato Recipe

A disc of pasta frolla dough dusted with flour on top and egg shells in the background.

Pasta Frolla: Italian Sweet Shortcrust Pastry

A bowl of citrus marinated olives with a cocktail fork.

Citrus Marinated Olives

Overhead shot of a white plate with meatballs, a scoop of ricotta, fresh basil and a glass of red wine.

Authentic Italian Meatballs

serving Italian meatball wedding soup in a white bowl with a spoon and bread.

Easy Authentic Italian Wedding Soup

Slices of beef tenderloin on a platter with a gold fork.

43+ Recipes Perfect for an Authentic Italian Christmas Dinner

A pot of assorted meats cooking in red sauce.

The Best Authentic Italian Sunday Gravy (Sugo)

Subscribe

Sign up for my newsletter and receive my Essential Guide to Italian Pantry Staples with a printable checklist!