Authentic Italian Recipes

An easy and delicious Italian custard famous for its rich, tender texture.

My Nana used to cook this for me when I was young and as she prepared things and we waited for the sauce to finish, she'd tell me great stories about her life in Sicily and other secret business! This recipe is the best sauce I've ever had- I really think it can bring the family together. Just prepare it and you'll see that when dinner time comes everyone's mouths will be watering because of the great smell, the entire family can gather around the table and there will be enough for everyone, I promise! Good for vegetarians too-just substitute 2 1/2 pounds of chopped zucchini for the meatballs.

Delicious homemade cannoli — just like you get in Italian bakeries!

Caponata is a delicious relish or appetizer that can be served hot or cold.

A basic gelato recipe to use as a base to experiment with favorite flavors.

Light and crunchy anise-flavored cookies perfect for dipping in coffee.

This classic Italian-American comfort food works with any kind of sausage, but I like the fennel and anise flavors of sweet Italian sausage with the beans--it's a hearty soup that's fast and easy to put together.

Basic pesto, made with basil, olive oil, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese. This recipe differs from the classic preparation by the addition of parsley. You can add a little extra Parmesan to the mixture if you like.

Your family — Italian or not — is sure to enjoy this creamy cheesecake!

This is Italian giardiniera. It is wonderful on Chicago style Italian beef sandwiches, sausage sandwiches, French dips, pastas or even as a pizza topping. You can even snack on it as is if you choose. Once you taste it you will figure out what you prefer to use it on.

If you really want an all-out fancy restaurant style tiramisu with all the fixin's this is the one. People will speak of this for years to come. You can also make it in a bowl like a trifle!

This soup is easy to put together, and the flavor of the spicy sausage is balanced nicely by Great Northern beans, zucchini, fresh spinach, and carrots. Makes a delicious winter supper.

Tiramisu is a classic Italian dessert.

This dish was created in the Lazio region (the area around Rome) in the middle of the 20th century, after World War Two. We don't use cream, milk, garlic, onions or other strange ingredients; we use only guanciale, eggs, pecorino cheese, and lots of black pepper (carbonaro is the Italian for coal miner). This isn't the Italian-American version, it's the real, creamy carbonara and it comes right from Italy, where I live. Buon appetito.

You can use rum or brandy, if you like.

This is a recipe that we have made in our family for many years--everyone loves it. It's a very basic and easy variation on mac 'n cheese.

An Italian rice ball made with white wine risotto, and a gooey mozzarella center. Fantastic for lunch or dinner - can be frozen.

These are served with Italian dinners as a side, like a bread. They're great with sauce and pasta dishes.

An olive tapenade without anchovies.

A good marinade is the key to juicy, tender, and absolutely delicious chicken that'll impress everyone at your table.

This is an old recipe from my aunt. It is both famous and infamous in our family. It is absolutely irresistible.

Think homemade mozzarella cheese is impossible to make? Think again! This recipe shows you how to make delicious mozzarella cheese from scratch. You can create any shape you desire - try larger balls, small balls, or twists and knots. Store in the refrigerator.

This soup embodies all the wonders of Italian cooking: Italian sausage, garlic, tomatoes and red wines. Serve with hot bread and salad for a delicious meal. Garnish with Parmesan cheese.

Known as 'gnocchi alla sorrentina,' this classic Italian pasta dish that uses simple ingredients and tastes delicious. Use homemade or store-bought gnocchi.